To primer or not to primer?

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 6, 2006 2:24 AM

mamillar; makes perfect sense. I never primed with Tamiya and the paint really stuck to the plastic. Vallejo is falling off without any primer, so I guess I have to prime when painting with that stuff.

Do you guys spray the primer or brush it? Spray I would assume?

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mamillar

Member since
February 2005

Posted by mamillar on Saturday, January 28, 2006 10:08 PM

I dont use primer either, however I have been known to use Tamiya as a primer-base coat for other acrylic paints. The Tamiya sticks to the bare plastic better than any other acrylic I have ever used. The Vallejo or Lifecolor I use sticks very well to the Tamiya but not very well to the bare plastic (did that make any sense?)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 28, 2006 6:21 PM

I don't ever prime either. I see it as one more step where I could fugger something up. I did prime my last model, not sure what drove me to do it.

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espins1

Member since
December 2002
From: Reno, NV

Posted by espins1 on Thursday, January 26, 2006 10:40 AM

I seldom prime, unless I need to brush on acrylic paint. Without it the surface tension seems to draw all the paint and pigment to the raised details and edges, and leaves the flat areas needing a 2nd coat.

Scott Espin - IPMS Reno High Rollers My Reviews

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albert_sy2

Member since
May 2004
From: Singapore

Posted by albert_sy2 on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 10:40 PM

For those who don't use a primer, do you do something to actually "prime" the model like:

a. Apply Acetic acid (vinger)

b. Rub with worn sandpaper (or high grit)

c. Use a different colored paint before using the real base

Groovy baby

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 26, 2004 2:40 AM

Thanks for the comments. And I thought I was the only person out there who didn't use primer like the "experts" recommend. PS I love to build German WWII armor.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 5:07 PM

Well! I got in the habit of priming when I was building cars. I use/used lacquer paints and lacquer clear. So I have/had to prime to protect the plastic. Now that I'm building armor I still prime. Whatever works for you!

Glenn

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 4:46 PM

Too lazy and that it takes that much longer to get done. LOL Never primed either.

Eric

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Spamicus

Member since
April 2003
From: Central Wisconsin

Posted by Spamicus on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 4:35 PM

I normally only prime if I've used different media in the build. It does let me see any construction flaws before I put on a color coat so they can be fixed then. Otherwise, well, I haven't ever had any paint lift, fish eye or what have you.

Steve

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 3:54 PM

gee, now i am almost embarrassed to admit that i prime!
usually to re-assure myself abt any bodywork that got done,
and to get better paint adhesion.

of course, i only have 2 tanks and 4 planes done on the shelf,
so i am still sticking to the tried & true.

i have used Floquil railroad primer, and also Tamiya Flat Black.
the Acrylic dries much faster, of course.

but the Floquil is very nice, if you have the time & ventilation.

ed.

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ponch

Member since
February 2003

Posted by ponch on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 3:02 PM

I have to agree, priming is overrated...unless, as some other posts mention, you have a lot of photoetched parts. Then, it helps the final coat stick to the metal, especially if you will use acrylics for that final coat. I've found that enamels don't seem to have so many problems when it comes to PE parts.

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:58 PM

lol, it's funny when you look at the posts. Every major magazine and article I've read EVER allways include a priming step.
Funny how so few people actually do it :)

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M1abramsRules

Member since
June 2003

Posted by M1abramsRules on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:33 PM

I never prime either. I may "base coat" Wink [;)]

it. so the color I want shows up good. (orange looks better on white not green)

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erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:30 PM

I've never primed any either. I use my base color and build it up for areas where there is different color materials, filling, etc. I'm thinking of priming my 1/16 Tiger because of all the photo-etch that I'll have on it to help the paint stick to the metel. I don't know if it really needs it but I'll decide when I get to that point.

Edit

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.

"Friendly fire...isn't"

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:11 PM

Another to add to the growing list .... never primed a kit in my life.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:13 PM

hehe, I know what you mean wipw. I never prime, unless there was a lot of filling/sanding done. Generally I use final colour itself as a primer, as it is good practice to layer the paint anyways.
I've found tamiya acrylics to provide very good coverage (when applied via airbrush)

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wipw

Member since
January 2003
From: Utah - USA

Posted by wipw on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:07 PM

I hate to admit it, but I almost never prime my models. Others swear by it. If you've got any PE parts, or added any white styrene (or whatever color) parts, I'd prime it so you are starting with a level playing ground. If not, grey should cover the Tamiya yellow fine. It's a very dark grey.

Bill ==========================================================

DML M4A2 Red Army ==========================================================

========================================================== -- There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". (Author unknown)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

To primer or not to primer?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 12:45 PM

I am starting a Tamiya Steyr 1500. The color scheme I am wanting to do is for the 'Grosssdeutchland' division. The instructions calls for XF63 (German Gray). The kit is molded in dark yellow. Do I need to primer over the dark yellow before applying the German Gray? If so what do you reccommend?MartyM2828

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Scott Espin - IPMS Reno High Rollers My Reviews