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I need a good primer.

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, February 5, 2010 10:01 AM

morto

Quick question regarding a primer.  Can one use a primer such as Krylon and then use acrylics over it  for the painting of the model?

Yes, Krylon and Rustoleum both work fine under acrylics.  Duplicolor lacquer primer used to, but since Duplicolor started labeling Acrylic lacquers as just plain lacquer I have shied away from Duplicolor paints. How do I know which are acrylic lacquer and which are cellulose lacquer?

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:21 PM

I agree with Rick on the Floquil primer.

If it's not as "hot" as it once was then thin it with lacquer thinner.

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by morto on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:33 PM

Thanks for your comment.  I shall look into the Duplicolor primer.

Morto

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Steilacoom, Washington
Posted by Killjoy on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:15 AM

Sure, acrylics like a good primer, and certinly won't affect the primer coat.

I use Duplicolor's automotive primer.  It sticks well to metal, resin, or plastic, is sandable, and comes out very fine as it is designed for auto body work.  Also comes in black, white, grey, and a nice red-brown which I use for most military models.

Hope this helps!

Chris

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

  • Member since
    September 2003
Posted by morto on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:45 AM

Quick question regarding a primer.  Can one use a primer such as Krylon and then use acrylics over it  for the painting of the model?

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Fayetteville, GA
Posted by gawga on Monday, February 1, 2010 4:27 PM

I am with you there - so far using RustOleum in the rattle can.  Problem is, I want a good primer which will "etch" the plastic and grip the metal which in turn can be thinned and sprayed through my airbrush.

I have a bottle of Gunze, not used it yet, maybe I will give it a try.  Thanks guys for the responses.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Peoples Socialist Democratic Republic of Illinois
Posted by Triarius on Monday, February 1, 2010 9:30 AM

What you need is a better paint and a clean surface.

Sanded surfaces are not necessaril clean. If you are using an acrylic, I suggest a final wash with a Simple Green solution or at least a wipe-down with either denatured, ethyl, or 90% isopropyl. I do both.

I also suggest a better paint. MM acrylics are notorious for poorer surface adhesion than most of the others. Try Tamiya acrylics, or Gunze Sanyo, or Polly Scale (while you can still get it).  I've used Tamiya to repair the camo on my hunting bow, which sees a lot of casual abrasion from the brush. It's still there after five years. Polly Scale acrylics have even better adhesion.

But none of them stick unless the surface is clean.

Ross Martinek A little strangeness, now and then, is a good thing… Wink

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Monday, February 1, 2010 9:23 AM

I still use Floquil Grey primer applied with an AB.  Even though the formulation was changed after the Testors take over, it's still an excellent all around primer for metal, resin & styrene.  I'm not sure whether it is now a lacquer or enamel base, but it still provides excellent results.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, February 1, 2010 8:49 AM

Many years ago in the Usenet discussion group rec.models.scale (still around) a few people were pushing Krylon sandable primer. I started using it and loved it.  They have changed their primer a few times since, and it is not as good as it was, but still a very good primer. It has LOTS of body.  Good for covering scratches and such. If you are using it on a small scale model with lots of detail use a light coat to avoid softening the detail.

BTW, it is now just labled Primer, not "sandable" Primer.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:46 PM

Sounds like you need a can of good old RustOleum. I recently ran out of my normal Tamiya "fine" rattle can primer and needed a quick fix as the LHS ain't so L. I ran to the hardware store and picked up a can. Worked great on plastic, bonds well and can obviously be used for metal as well.

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: So.CaL
Posted by Dr. Faust on Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:43 PM

I would suggest and I also use an automotive lacquer based primer. I get it at a NAPA or PPG dealer. The sand able kind is a bit thick, but thinned with lacquer thinner and strained thru a coffee filter it works quite well. Sticks to all surfaces and sands easily.

HTH

Dr

Just build it (and post pics when youre done)

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Fayetteville, GA
I need a good primer.
Posted by gawga on Sunday, January 31, 2010 10:20 PM

Years ago, when I was a more active modeler, I used Floquil primer.  At that time their paints were toluene (sp.?) based and I found it to be a very good  all around primer for metals, resins and plastics; even though with plastics it wasn't recommended as it would craze the surface.  I found the crazing of the plastic gave the paint a very good basis as it would bite into the surface.  It appears that Floquil has changed their formulation.

The reason I am pursuing this is my project involves both metals of various types and styrene plastic and the Model Master matte black paint (acrylic) I am using will not strongly adhere; indeed, it will chip off with the slightest of handling.  The material surfaces have been sanded and filed so there is a rough surface for the paint, however it doesn't want to adhere very well.  I need a good, general purpose primer: any suggestions????

Thank,

Gary

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