Hi, Steven, I use Tamiya Fine Surface Primer, which is relatively more expensive by volume than products made by companies other than model suppliers, true.  Though, I find that it covers well, and goes a long way.

However, I have used Rustoleum, and Walmart's house brand automotive primer.  I found them a bit coarser than Tamiya's primer, but they covered well.  However, they both changed the design of the nozzle on the can and I found they were prone to clogging.  However, Rustoleum apparent changed the design again, so I want to get a can and see how it sprays.

Another alternative is to spray Mr. Surfacer.  I haven't tried it yet, but I want to test it out and see how it well or how poorly it works.

Best regards,

Brad

I should add a post-script, the resin figures I work with range from 1/8 scale anime figures to 1/20 scale figures from Brickworks, AtelierIT, Honemits, and similar small makers, to go with Maschinen Krieger kits.  Also Hasegawa, CMK, Verlinden.  Just to give you an idea of the resin I've worked with.  I've used Tamiya with all of them.

Thank you Baron, I've played with rustoleum a little and it's OK but seems to take a long time to dry. I guess Tamiya is about the best choice except for the price. Usually after getting everything squared away using gray I coat the flesh parts and anything that gets a lighter, brighter color with Tamiya white primer. I just wish I could use automotive laquers over Tamiya for cars but it's prone to crinkle. 

I forgot to mention, I've also tried the stylenrez primers and I'm impressed with them (they actually sand and feather fairly well) but I'm not sure they're what I would use to prime a whole, large figure.

Steev

I forgot to mention, I've also tried the stylenrez primers and I'm impressed with them (they actually sand and feather fairly well) but I'm not sure they're what I would use to prime a whole, large figure.

 

Steev

Thank you Baron, I've played with rustoleum a little and it's OK but seems to take a long time to dry... 

Glad to help!

Another thing about Rustoleum and Walmart primer is that they have a little rougher  finish than Tamiya. Tamiya's Fine Surface Primer has a truly fine finish.  I never found it a problem with Rustoleum or Walmart's primer, just that depending on the subject, I might buff the finish down a little bit with a piece of coffee filter paper.  On a piece of armor, or a MaK model, the rough finish was good; on an airplane, or on a figure's uniform or skin, I'd want it smoother, so I'd buff it lightly.

Thank you Jon and Baron,

My experience with stynylrez (never can remember how that's spelled!) has been slight and primarily when I had to fill and sand in areas of a figure after painting, such as inside parts that can't be reached after assembly. 

I too will lightly buff primer if it's rougher than I like, especially on cars where I typically use 3200 micromesh. 

I'll have to try the Gunze. I've used the thicker stuff but not the finer primer. I'm sold on Tamiya for now on figs. For smaller parts or local touch up I decant it and airbrush it on so I'm not putting out a candle with a firehose.

My hobby shop recently got in Vallejo spray primer in a can. Been using it on a bunch of 1/35 / 54mm figures and it's worked like a charm. Really nice eggshell like semi-gloss and covers like a dream. Reminds me of Tamiya yet the can is way bigger so it's much cheaper. 

It sounds interesting Gamera. Does it feather well when sanded?

Yeah, there you've got me. Since I've only used it on small figures I haven't sanded it. It goes down nice and smooth like Tamiya so I really haven't had the need. 

Hmmm, let me apply some to an old model, try sanding it, and then get back with you. 

If you need a sandable primer, Gunze's Mr Surfacer 500 is great.  However, I like to use their 1500 primer for everything except the heaviest demolition remediation work.  Mr Surfacer sticks well to plastic and resin, is tough, and is a bear to physically scrape off once cured.

I haven't tried using Mr Surfacer as a primer yet, but I want to.  It sounds interesting.  I've got the 1000 and the 1500 and use it as, well, a surfacer!  But ever since I read of people using it as a primer, I've wanted to test it out.

I use Rust-oleum American Accents 2X Ultra Cover for all my priming needs. Both the black and white, depending on the subject. It covers quickly, sands well when needed and has never interacted with styrene from several manufacturers. Same for a couple of resin figures and parts. 

I use the Vallejo since the hobby shop stocks it. The others would probably work just as well, I just don't like to bother with mail-ordering paint. 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I've largely settled on Tamiya for figures and Duplicolor for cars that will get automotive paint. (If I intend to use Tamiya paint, I'll use their primer)  I'll use the stynylrez for special situations and smaller figures and keep an open mind to all the rest. I've always heard good things about the fine Mr. Surfacer and if I get my hands on a can I'll certainly try it out.

I use Rustoleum black.  Then I can shade.  If I need white, I cover the black with modelaire or createx white.  If I need gray Ibuse medium Mr Surfacer in the can or Tamiya.