Primer

If your adding photo etch parts and resin bits then you need to prime to give everything the same colour to start from. Primer will also give the pain something to grip onto and give better coverage. I use automotive prime for most models as its cheap and gives good coverage.

Many better modellers them me will prime, then pre colour, then outline panels but I just dont have the time to go that far.

Hope that helps

Pmitch

The advantages of using a primer:

1. Providing a neutral background —
   essential when applying light colors over dark plastic (or metal, especially PE).
2. Showing up flaws in the assembly.
3. Giving the overcoats something to “bite”.

I use a rattle can primer, and paint whole sections of the sprue at once, so it isn't that big a job.  Priming never hurts, it only helps.  Why risk having to refinish a paint job?

I used to use Krylon sandable primer- other modelers recommended it and it worked.  However, Krylon has altered and renamed their primer a lot recently, and the changes are not for the better. I am looking around for a better, consistant primer and may return to auto primers like Duplicolor primer in spray cans.

Once again... WOW!!

Thanks to all you guys for the great info!!  I guess I'm off to the store to find some primer!!

There are some items that I waive the priming,,,  but for the most part, I do use a primer.

All the reasons mentioned make it, almost always, a plus.

Good luck with it Jim,, and hope to see some of your work / pictures

I rarely use primer.

I use either Gunze Mr. Surfacer primer, or Tamiya fine surface primer in rattle cans.  They seem to fill up and hide minor scratches and imperfections in putty sanding.  Be careful and spray lightly, it's easy to overload it, the way that stuff comes out of the can.

Thanks for all the additional comments!  I have never used any type of primer, I guess, because I never thought that I was at that "level" in the hobby.  I have always just brushed on my colors, except for a few pieces of armor that I airbrushed camo patterns on back when I was 15 or so.  The airbrush was a friends and I remember contemplating getting my own, but I think that the interest in girls back then over-powered the hobby and the airbrush idea fell to the wayside!

 I think I will try priming my next piece, Tamiya's M-20 Armored Utility Car.