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Primer Question

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  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Primer Question
Posted by Greatmaker on Monday, May 23, 2016 7:31 PM

Any good ideas for a light gray primer?  My lastest failure was Rustoleum sandable primer on a tamiya gloster meteor.  It went on really thick and cracked in the panel lines. I have tried Tamiya gray, Model master acrylic, Rustoleum professional, Rustoleum plastic primer, Valspar, Rustoleum Automotive. The best two were a cheap walmart primer that they no longer carry and Krylon gray which is so dark that pre-shading is our unless a paint the whole plane in neutral gray acrylic after priming. I also have stynylrez primer but that is dark gray as well.  

 

Thank you

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Monday, May 23, 2016 7:36 PM

I like Tamiya rattle can primers. Easy to controll and sprays nice thin coats.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Monday, May 23, 2016 11:05 PM

Well I found out that isopropyl alcohol removes rustoleum sandable primer, but the primer did etch the plastic and the canopy so I have a lot of redos and sanding to do. Of course I finally got brave and glued the canopy on before painting.  I did manage to get it off with only minor damage so I guess that's something. Got the the primer off and managed to get it all over the bathroom sink.  Spent almost as much time cleaning that up.  Well what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, May 23, 2016 11:31 PM

I would vote for Tamiya white, then their gray, then Testor's White Flat and then Flat Gray is pretty good. I haven't had too much luck with Rustoleum, except their Red Oxide for ship bottoms. Lately though, I've had two or three Rustoleum cans just stop working after they are about half gone. Changing the nozzles did nothing- it's a valve problem. I've read online that this is a new and common occurence, so at $ 7.99 a can, it's not worth the risk any more.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 8:28 AM

I have used Rustoleum sandable primer without problems.  The cracking along seams and panel lines (I have had this with several primers) may be due to mold release or some other oily substance on the styrene.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:14 AM

Thanks guys for the info.  Don did your rustoleum primer come out very thick?

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 8:42 AM

Greatmaker

Thanks guys for the info.  Don did your rustoleum primer come out very thick?

 

Yes, it does.  I really take care to put as thin a coat as possible over fine detail.  On some areas, like wings and tail, I don't worry about it much.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 6:42 PM
I use Alclad grey micro........great stuff.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Thursday, May 26, 2016 8:17 AM

Thanks lawdog I look into it

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Thursday, May 26, 2016 8:44 AM

I also use the Alclad grey micro and it's the best primer I have used . it sprays on incredably smooth. Tamiya grey is my second choice.  i've used Krylon primer for large aircraft from the rattle can and it did a pretty good job but like has been said, it goes on thick.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • From: Pennsylvania
Posted by pilotjohn on Thursday, June 2, 2016 9:42 PM

you can mix the darkgray Stynylrez with some Stynylrez white and you can get to light gray.

John

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Friday, June 3, 2016 3:59 AM

Tamiya lacquer gray primer has been my go to product, but it can get pricey.  I've also tried Krylon gray primer from Walmart with good results.  Fortunately/unfortunately, in this hobby, it's all about trial and error.  I've noticed one product might work for a forum member and vice a versa.  Good luck and happy modeling!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

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