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Primer or no primer?

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  • Member since
    November 2020
Posted by G0LUB on Monday, November 23, 2020 1:28 PM

Im new to making models, and i want to buy one, i just need to know, can i paint model without painting with primer?

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, November 26, 2020 9:20 AM

G0LUB

Im new to making models, and i want to buy one, i just need to know, can i paint model without painting with primer? 

 

Yes you can

But it helps,especially with acrylic paints, primer helps with adhesion. Also with multi media like metal and resin it helps uniformity and adhesion.If you are painting light colors over dark plastic it helps with coverage.Of course primer helps you identify seams that need cleaning up.

But plenty do without it,swear its while not necessary,it has its place,so its a choice

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Thursday, November 26, 2020 11:26 AM

I always use primer over areas that required sanding. Such as removal of mold lines and filler.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    November 2018
Posted by oldermodelguy on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:06 AM

For me all bare plastic gets primer. My latest iteration is Stynylrez with about 10-15% lacquer thinner added because it comes out smooth as silk with a very tight thin film. If you're not airbrushing then I agree with early posts of Tamiya rattle cans primers.

Should you prime ? The paint will stick better if you do.

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Friday, November 27, 2020 9:21 AM

I use Tamiya rattle cans, decant it into a 4 ounce Mason jar, and airbrush it thinned with MEK.  To the poster at the top of this page, no matter what way of priming you choose, priming is the best way to avoid the headaches of pulling little chunks of paint off while you're unmasking things.  I used to not use primer, but after trying it for the first time, I found that it makes everything easier.  You get better coverage with fewer passes of the airbrush, and its far less likely to run or sag due to it sliding around like it does on bare plastic.  Not sure about other primers, but decanted Tamiya that is airbrushed is fully cured and ready for paint in 2 hours.  I have tried rattle can primers of all different types and they just don't work as well as airbrushed primer...the primer goes on way too thick compared to what you can do with an airbrush.  Its something you don't really notice until you try both ways and compare them.  The difference then is like night and day.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:20 AM

G0LUB

Im new to making models, and i want to buy one, i just need to know, can i paint model without painting with primer?

 

Before priming, cleaning is very important. I use ethanol to remove my finger grease.

A first coat of color can be considered a primer but that doesn't really give you any advantage.

So buried in your original question is the need to clean; paint/ prime; putty/ sand; paint/ prime; touch up; paint.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2018
Posted by oldermodelguy on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:39 AM

For a while I cleaned the plastic with isopropyl but doing so does something that Stynylrez doesn'r care for so much. Makes no sense but it's confirmed to be so in my personal testing. So I went back to wiping down the model with odorless mineral spirits and all is well using that.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Friday, November 27, 2020 10:53 AM
I never clean my plastic at all,and never no issues,go figure.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, November 27, 2020 12:55 PM

Tojo72
I never clean my plastic at all,and never no issues,go figure.
 

I need to not munch on taco chips at the bench.

Maybe the cleaning that matters most to me is after the final prep before finish color. 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

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