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Question on Primers

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Saturday, October 8, 2005 8:46 PM
I use plain old Krylon white primer, but for areas with fine detail I just give it one steady swipe of primer... no need for the surface to be covered as in painting, just enough for it to provide a microscopic rough surface for the paint to stick to. This was hard to learn for me... and I had similar problems at first... try going easy on the primer if you use it and see how it does!
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
Posted by sawdeanz on Saturday, October 8, 2005 7:00 PM
Thanks guys, i guess i really should just use lighter strokes, or maybe not use it on the small figures because i use enamel anyways. Thanks for the help.
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: USA
Posted by MusicCity on Saturday, October 8, 2005 3:36 PM
If your primer is covering up the detail you are either spraying it on too heavily or are using a primer that is not designed for models and is just too thick. I also prefer Tamiya Fine Surface Primer, and it works quite well.

You don't always have to prime prioe to painting. Priming serves two basic purposes:

o It provides a solid color coat for the subsequent paints. This is important if you have done a lot of putty work as it makes everything the same color prior to the main color coats. It also makes seams in the joints easier to spot.

o It allows the subsequent paint to adhere better. Primers are designed to adhere to abre plastic very well, and other paints typically adhere to the primer better than they do to bare plastic.

When painting with enamel or laquer a primer is not an absolute must since both of those paint types adhere quite well to styrene. If you are using acrylics then I feel that a good coat of primer is very good insurance against paint pulling up when it is masked, and other problems associated with acrylic adhesion.
Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Mpls., Mn.
Posted by f-4phantom on Saturday, October 8, 2005 11:20 AM
Tamiya fine surface primer is made for modelling. It won't cover up detail. The drawback is the price.

  • Member since
    July 2005
  • From: Vancouver,Canada
Posted by clairnet_person on Saturday, October 8, 2005 11:13 AM
ok the primer won't preserve the paint it only helps it to stick to the model better so yes use the dullcote or somthing like it to protecet the paint on your models/figures.As for your second question you have to use primer but it depends on the type of paint you use but you should wash the model throughly in dish soap and water if your going to paint without primer. And a tip so the primer doesn't cover the details as much spray the primer in light 1-2 light coats and that should do it \.

Hope this helps!!!
Current builds: Monogram P-40B Revell F-15E
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
Question on Primers
Posted by sawdeanz on Saturday, October 8, 2005 11:01 AM
I paint 1/72 models and figures. I always spray on a coat of white primer on my figures and models to preserve them in the future. Lately i've been second guessing my strategy, often the primer just covers up the details on the figures, and looking at FSM magazines, I never notice the modelers using a primer. Whats your take on this? Does it really matter if i use a primer? Is 1/72 scale to small to use a primer? Should i put some kind of dullcote or other kind of overcoat instead after i paint the figure?
Thanks for your help.
---Sawyer
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