Primer

I've never encountered thick primer. Tamiya's primers are easy to use and very thin. Give them a try.

I use a primer that is quite thick (Krylon).  It is out of a spray can.  I put on a fairly light coat so I do not obscure the fine detail, but you have to put it on really thick to obsure the detail on most kits. As a matter of fact, I think things like recessed panel lines are often overdone, and like the effect of a primer that subdues some of this detail.

I use only Tamiya & Vallejo primers. They are thin and never hide detail.

I use Alclad Primer & Microfiller most often. It comes in three colors for good contrast with the base plastic, adheres very well and sands easily. When I'm not inclined to use the airbrush, Tamiya's primers are my choice for rattlecan; they spray very well right down to the bottom of the can with no adhesion problems .Both of these products provide a good surface with little detail loss. Some swear by Mr. Surfacer ... I can't comment on the spray application, but I like it for minor seam fills.

Hope this helps!

Mike

 

JMorgan

Shouldn't you use paint for primer? The primer from cans would obliterate any detail... it is so thick.

 

This is exactly why there are so many of us that are huge fans of Tamiya spray primer.

 

I also agree with the others here that regular primer will work you just have to put it on lightly.

Because of the price and availability I save the Tamiya for models that have extremely fine detail or when I'm doing a project that requires a very smooth surface. Like maybe building a "showroom" car.

The thicker primers are actually kind of an advantage if you are building a project that is going to be heavily weathered.

 

 

I've had pretty good sucess using mr surfacer 1200 as a primer but sometimes I have to go back over panel lines with a scribe to get the details to show.

I recently saw mr. Surfacer 1500 and want to give that s shot. I'm assuming its finer than 1200. I like to prime ky aircraft but my current project is Tamiya's 1/32 corsair and the surface details are so fine I am worried that they won't show through if I use any primer.

Amen on the Mr Surfacer 1200.  That has been the best primer I've ever used.