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to prime or not to prime?

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  • Member since
    March 2016
to prime or not to prime?
Posted by ardvark002 on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 7:55 PM

Hi everyone, I have done primer on most of my kits. Did a couple without. I wash and dry all parts well. Haven't noticent a large difference. What the consenses of opinion?    Thx Aardvark

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 8:15 PM

Acrylics adhere better on primer. If using Alclad metallics, gloss black paint for primer is a must.

Although some don't use primer while others do. It's a preference. I usually prime regardless.

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 8:49 PM

While I have not had lots of difficulties/bad results by not priming, I can say I have had zero issues when I do prime. Now it's the standard for me, priming before paint is routine.

A. When the primer dries it will reveal areas that need further work, like filling or sanding. Better to discover that with a prime coat, rather than problems under paint.

B. Primers like Alclad and Stynylrez offer a very durable first layer and adhere well to the original surface. That can help the paint process stick positively to the surface, and help prevent lifting when tape masking is removed.

C. Primers sand well when preparing for finish paint coats, paint not so much. That makes any corrections you may have to make much easier and with better results.

Seems no matter how closely I looked when ready for paint, I missed some things and had to make corrections. With primer the remaining flaws are much easier to see and address, before final paint. The plus is that the primer is much better to work with for corrections, finish paint coats are not as good.

Priming highly recommended by me.

Patrick

cml
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Brisbane, Australia
Posted by cml on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 10:00 PM

For years i never primed. I didn't even bother to wash parts, would just paint them as is and had no dramas.

However, once i started building more complex kits especially those with PE or resin, that's when i switched to priming. 

I found that without priming, often the colours would differ due to the colour differences in the underlying material.  Also, i found priming helps paint to stick, especially with PE.

Another benefit i found is that my details airbrushing (dialling in fine lines) was a lot better with priming, i think it might have something to do with the paint adhearing better to primer/paint than to bare plastic.

 

Chris

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 6:12 AM

I also went years without priming and have never washed parts, and that included with rein and PE. I only started as a way of helping spot flaws beforer adding the paint. I think it does help to give a consistant base to your paint and also helping wqith certaiun effects. But as a rule, i would never say you have to use primer.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 8:52 AM

They keep changing the formulas for the primers I have been using, and I decided to build my current project without priming anything.  I do find it harder to fill seams, but everything else is going fine.  Still, priming would have speeded up treating seams, and I will be looking for a good primer.

Most recently have been using Rustoleum primers, but latest two cans wrinkle if I apply a slightly too heavy a coat.  Must put down light coats- hate to be restricted that way with primer.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2016
Posted by ardvark002 on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 9:56 AM
Thank you for the responses. I think I will probably stick with priming. Thx again Aardvark
  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 11:19 AM

patrick206
.......I have had zero issues when I do prime. Now it's the standard for me, priming before paint is routine.

I'm late to the party but that is my take as well.

  • Member since
    March 2016
Posted by ardvark002 on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 8:15 PM
Hi, I've starting priming again,but found mm primer to have more gloss. I always remembered primer being very flat and very easy to sand, and quick drying. I wish I could find one with said qualities. Anyone know of one. Thx's Aardvark
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Far Northern CA
Posted by mrmike on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 9:43 PM

Alclad Primer & Microfiller comes in three shades and will dry dead flat in light coats, or slightly glossy in a heavy coat. It sprays great out of the bottle, dries super fast and sands very well. If you need large area coverage, Tamiya spray primers work like Alclad but with no airbrush cleanup. These are my go-to's for all but "rubber" tires and photo etch.

Miike

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