I am always a little careful when painting over some existing paint that I know nothing about, just in case there is any issue with compatibility.
I am sure that you are already planning on doing this, but I would try just a little of my chosen new paint on perhaps the bottom of a step to make sure that nothing strange will happen.
Cheers,
David Leech, Canada

 

Do I need to strip the rust red paint first

In my experienced, Accucraft brass items have a very hard baked-on finish. I would rub it down with 600 grit wet emery to take the shine off, then repaint.

 

Painting brass is always a process but since your caboose is factory painted most of the process is eliminated. I would not strip the paint, the factory paint will act as primer that is already adhered to the brass very well. It is hard to tell from your pics but if the caboose is shiny gloss then the paint you apply on top may not be very durable because gloss doesn't have a rough texture for the new paint to grip to. Accucraft paint is very durable but like David said maybe test your paint first. After you clean the caboose try to only handle the model wearing powder free rubber gloves.

 

Super helpful, thanks for the quick responses!

onto some Emory paper and cleaning.. will try a test area first

 

you probably want aluminum oxide or better the black carborundum wet or dry.

emery paper is an interesting term... depending on who you talk to, it's either generic for any type of sandpaper, or machinists will tell you it is cloth backed "sandpaper" often with garnet abrasive (old school)

Greg

 

emery paper is an interesting term

It was emery paper when I was growing up in the UK. But I think you are right - I'm using black carborundum wet-or-dry these days in the US.

 

I wouldn't sand it they're not glossy, I own 2 of those. My dad painted over an AML 0-6-0 metal engine without sanding it and no problems with paint compatibility.

 

Interesting how a generic term years ago has morphed to something slightly different... I see the cloth backed stuff mainly used in machining, cleanup on a lathe turned part, etc.

 

Interesting how a generic term years ago has morphed to something slightly different...

That's a common feature of English and many other languages. For the story of that happening in English specifically look up a book titled, Words on the Move, why English won't and can't sit still, like, literally, by John McWhorter, published 2016.