when should I prime

Priming is like painting at times it is better to prime individual pieces at others to prime assemblies. Treat the primer like a 1st layer of paint and you should be fine.

As for which primer(grey vs white) I let the final colour scheme decide which is better, if the Kit calls for white or similar colours that cover badly or need a certain brillance than I go with white.

There are no hard and fast rules or answers to your questions.

I prime practically everything I build now, as I have found that some companies plastics do not take paint that well, and a couple of light mist coats of primer make all the difference.

I only use white primer, not out of choice, merely because that is all I have. However I have had no problems with this, even under dark colours.

A primer coat over an essentially completed model is a good way of identifying those areas where fit and finish are somewhat less than what we would want. It therefore allows you to go back and correct these problems before you top coat. After all there is nothing worse than top coating a model, only to find a visible seam line, whose correction will destroy paint work around it. Beleive me, I've done it.

Hope this helps.

Karl

I'd say paint pieces at a time when it would be difficult not to.

For example, the P-51 mustang landing gear has the doors glued to them. If you were to glue everything in place it would be a real pain to paint the landing gear afterwords.

Oh, and I don't like the word primer, since plastic doesn't need to be primed, unless it is being used to find imperfections. But now it's word play because you are in essence Priming the surface for the following coats.................................................i'll shut up now.

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200 I only use white primer, not out of choice, merely because that is all I have. However I have had no problems with this, even under dark colours.

I've had good luck tinting my white primers with colored paints (e.g. a touch of black makes for a good gray.) Of course, this won't work for spray can primers, only airbrush or hand-painted techniques.

i slapped one of those kits together so i could practice some airbrush techniques i learned on this forum. along with this kit, buy about 6 tubes of squadron green putty, a side grinder, a face shield, and go to the automotive parts house and buy yourself a gallon of undercoater! not trying to hurt your feelings, but that kits fits will give you fits. i didnt worry about it because i wasnt using it for a display but just to practice air brushing on. if your wanting to finish this thing all the way, you may want to go with another brand. we're talkin' major fillin' and sandin'! good luck man.

to answer your question on priming, its really personal preference. the way i do it is build the model (leaving off self explanatory pieces like landing lights, canopy, ordinance, ect.), fill any gaps with putty, sand, and prime. if im satisfied, begin painting. if im not satisfied, putty some more and sand a reprime. i repeat this until i get the desired results. later.

I don't always prime the whole model. I always prime those areas that I have puttied though. Most putties will absorb paint (which the plastic around them won't) which will lead to splotchy areas on your final paint scheme. I always prime the entire model when I am going to use acrylics. That goes back to when acrylics first came out, if the surface wasn't primed or sanded, the paint wouldn't stick, just puddle.
If you've done some major work (ie removed 6 million rivets or scribed new panels etc), a coat of primer will let you know if more work or corrections are required. Much nicer than discovering the problems after your first color coat.

thanks to everyone for all the info it will help

There are a few rules of thumb to concider with regard to when you should prime your model for painting. The first idea is that if you have done some surgery to your model as a result of a conversion, scratch-build, major filling and sanding it is a very good idea to prime the surface after such work. The primer; usually a gray or white color will fill in small scratches from sanding and other minor imperfections without hiding detail. The primer will also help you see any additional seams or gaps that may need to be filled if you missed them the first time. The primer is an excellent pre-paint that helps both acrylic and enamels lay very smooth and maximizes adhesion. I don't always prime my models, but for the most part I usually apply a light coat of Floquil or MM primer before the finishing coats. If I plan on applying painting a natural metal finish like Metelizers I won't prime because I prefer to retain the already smooth surface of the styrene; however if I've done any filling or sanding...on with the primer. My paint jobs appear smoother and even toned for a professional look every time.

Bsquires, I wish I knew the absolute correct question....everyone's tips here seems to be right on, because in the end it seems to be a matter of personal preference. I prefer to prime the whole outside, especially after doing filler work, but I do not prime the interior. If I don't fill anything, I don't prime.

Hi fellas, while we are on the subject of priming, has anybody here used Tamiya Fine Primer in the spray can. I would like to try it but it is kind of expensive so I thought I might ask you guys for some opinions of this product before I buy a can.

Cheers...Snowy.

thanks for all the tips