When do you prime?

Usually around 8:30 pm.  

Seriously though for me, never on the sprue.  I usually assemble stuff before the primer goes on.  The exception is if the plastic or resin is light colored or translucent.  I’ll prime those so I can see what I’m working on.

I do a combo of on and off the sprue. Sometimes I spray gluded up sub assemblies.

If you want a primer that is like Vallejo, sticks better than Vallejo and sooner, that is sandable, try Stynylrez.

Lone Traveler

Just getting back into the hobby. When does everyone prime? I've seen some recommend priming on the sprues and others who seem to prime the individual pieces. I tried both. The issue I had was dependent on the primer. Using Tamiya rattle can I got great results.  Very tight and easy to sand after glued.  It feathered with no problem and took a second coat without issue. The Vallejo was more of an issue. If I was priming a finished piece all sanded out it was great and very easy to work with. If I noticed a flaw I needed to resand the problem began.  It seems to go on with a "film". If I sand it it doesn't feather and you get tiny pieces of the film that will not go away till you remove the whole coat of primer!  Am I just doing something wrong?

Brilliant idea on the photo copy Of the sprue! I like doing the paint research. Making notes on the photo copy makes sense. 

I usually prime after assembly, I do like the Tamiya rattlecan also, Mr Surfacer 1200 also.Hobby store was out of Tamiya,so I tried the Badger stuff,pretyy good,leveled nicely,only thing is I hate to fire up the airbrush for priming.

I do hear that Vallejo is terrible for sanding,really just good for a basecoat

After the build to see where I may need to sand or putty. I never waste time priming small parts as I find it unneccassary.

Greg

I think priming on sprue, remove and prime individual pieces, or prime after assy just depends. I do all three, with painting on the sprue being done least often. I find  that touching up the separation points to be more bother than figuring out how to hold on the individual pcs to prime in most cases.

Sort of differs by genre, also.

 

Bill

You are not doing anything wrong with the Vallejo primer. It cannot be sanded. I threw all of mine out years ago. It also doesn't adhere particularly well. I've never quite understood the product.

I'm not a Vallejo-hater. I use their acryls a lot and like them.

I think priming on sprue, remove and prime individual pieces, or prime after assy just depends. I do all three, with painting on the sprue being done least often. I find  that touching up the separation points to be more bother than figuring out how to hold on the individual pcs to prime in most cases.

Sort of differs by genre, also.

Like Bish, usually after I assemble.

I tend to get most of the assembly done before priming, deffinetly anything that might need seems sanding. I will do some bit seperatly, under carrage legs, doors, vehicle tools etc.

I use Alclad primer and don't have any issues sanding it, which i usually have to do obn most aircraft builds as getting seams right is my biggest problem.