Priming Alcad II, can I use enamel?

Yes you can use enamels. I used black when i tried Alclad. But its not really a primer, personnaly i never use them, its just a waiste of time and another layer to hide detail and its not needed. The layer under the Alclad protects the plastic from the lacquer.And make sure the enamel is well cured, i left mine two or three days before applying the Alclad. When you spray the Alclad put on a thin layer between allow to dry, then a second layer should do it. Check out this article, it should explain everything.

http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html

Not sure what you mean by priming. I always prime with a real primer.  However, as the black coating under the alclad, enamel works fine.  I typically use Testors black gloss enamel- works fine.  Just do a super smooth, high gloss application.

Most primers are generally laquer as is Alcald II.

Theoretically a layer of gloss black enamel will work(but that is not a primer) but it needs to cure very well(like a week or more).

General rule is the LEA one. This sez first Laquer than Enamel and last Acrylic as the reversing the order can cause the underlying layer to be destroyed.

I personally primer than lay a layer of laquer gloss black before I put down Alclad II. Of course giving each layer time to cure not just dry.

Thanks guys, I might just go grab a rattle can of gloss black lacquer.

HH... which Alclad are you going to be using?    Gloss black is needed only for chrome and polished aluminum.  All others can be used over a good flat primer.  I use Mr Surfacer 1200 and buff that with some 400 micro mesh.  A paper coffee filter works well too.

Personally, I hardly ever use  Alclad Chrome of Polished Aluminum anymore.

Switched a few years ago to another product that works better for me.

It is called "Kosutte Gin-San" and is now made by WAVE, original maker was WORKS.

Gin-San is a powder applied over a gloss-black coat and than polished to the desired sheen.

Similar to Rub-N-Buff.

Alcad II Aluminum, and I will admit that I was in such a rush I cheated a fair bit today. I used Mr. Surface, then sprayed in black lacquer (didn't check back here first), let it dry for a few hours and hit it with a blow drier and then let it "cure" (I know it's not totally cured) and sprayed it with Alcad. For rushing like a moron it actually turned out really, really well. Not hard to use at all, and if a novice with a few months experience can use it anyone can. Went on great and looks fantastic.