What to use as a primer.

I use  Mr. Surfacer 1200 thinned with Mr. Color through my airbrush.

 It rocks!

 Just remember to wear a respirator.

Depends on the scale of the kit/piece, but I use Krylon flat white or gray right out of the rattle can if the piece is large enough where the Krylon won't obscure details.  If I am concerned with details, I mix a flat gray from hobby bottle paint white and black and air brush it.

For most small - medium sized models, I use Humbrol enamel matt white, matt light grey, or matt black. For large- very large models, I use Halfords grey or white primer, an acrylic which comes in spray cans, and is intended primarily as an automotive primer.  

For metallic surfaces, I always polish the primer before spraying top-coats.

Cheers,

Chris. 

When I do use a primer I use just about any light colored flat paint where it is acrylic or enamel (including my own). You don't need to apply much to detect flaws or give the color coat a surface to bind to. If you have great color variations such as from using putties as fillers, then you'll need to cover with enough "primer" to get a consistant base to avoid transparency issues with lighter colored paints.

Though I have Mr Surfacer, it is used mostly as a filler not a primer. If I can get more bang for my buck using something for more than one purpose such as a flat paint as a primer instead of purchasing something special, I save money and space.  

Technique...get more from less resources. 

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Though I have Mr Surfacer, it is used mostly as a filler not a primer. If I can get more bang for my buck using something for more than one purpose such as a flat paint as a primer instead of purchasing something special, I save money and space.   Technique...get more from less resources.

 I hear what your sayin'. That jar of Mr. Surfacer nearly broke me and it's so huge I don't know where I'm going to keep it. At least my first quarter write down from that will be less than UBS or Deutsche Bank's.

Part of the responsibility of the experienced is to teach those who are not. For those who know, it isn't a second thought, but for those who don't it could mean disaster and disappointment.

There is enough of that already when beginning in this hobby. We're here to try to avoid that so new modelers find greater self satisfaction from accomplishments. Which in turn keeps them involved and the hobby alive.

Sorry if it sounds preachy...I just get passionate sometimes. We must tailor our advice to three levels of modelers...novice, intermediate and master...of course the latter should be the ones giving the advice, though I do learn all the time from all levels. It makes me a better modeler and for that I am appreciative.

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Which means if the novice to such products doesn't know what they are doing will melt their model. Lacquers and plastic don't nessarily mix well, especially those that are designed for use on metals and other nonreactive materials.

 Which is why I recommended thinning Mr. Surfacer 1200 with Mr. Color thinner because Mr. Color thinner is model plastic friendly.

 You should try some someday.

I use Model Master enamel primer. I have had real good results with it. It is in the same size jars as their other hobby enamels/acrylics. It is grey in color.