to prime or not to prime?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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