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Acrylic Paint not sticking

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  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Thursday, March 7, 2019 11:25 AM

Bakster
Good thing he does not frequent this forum, or we might be in trouble. Tongue Tied

He can't log in. Shame, a great contributor here, he.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Thursday, March 7, 2019 11:42 AM

Greg
He can't log in.

What! Stop the madness. I thought we were beyond that. Yes, we need him back. I hope he wrote FSM for help. 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Thursday, March 7, 2019 1:39 PM

Bakster

 

 
Greg
He can't log in.

 

What! Stop the madness. I thought we were beyond that. Yes, we need him back. I hope he wrote FSM for help. 

 

I thought so too, and he has.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Thursday, March 7, 2019 4:03 PM

Greg
I thought so too, and he has.

Egads.  I was wondering why I have not seen him of late. This needs to be fixed.

  • Member since
    December 2022
Posted by JeffgInTx on Thursday, January 12, 2023 1:49 AM

(almost 3-yr old post, so not sure if anyone else is still monitoring...)

 

Hey Baron - with the automotive primers, do you find that they are too thick and cover fine detail?  I can see using it on large areas like fuselage bodies or ship hulls, but I'd be concerned with areas like wheel wells, cockpits, etc.  Not doubting you, serious question.

Thanks!

Jeff

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, January 12, 2023 8:59 AM

JeffgInTx

(almost 3-yr old post, so not sure if anyone else is still monitoring...)

 

Hey Baron - with the automotive primers, do you find that they are too thick and cover fine detail?  I can see using it on large areas like fuselage bodies or ship hulls, but I'd be concerned with areas like wheel wells, cockpits, etc.  Not doubting you, serious question.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

If he doesn't notice,try your question on a new post 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, January 12, 2023 11:37 AM

Or...just find out on your own.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Thursday, January 12, 2023 11:40 AM

JeffgInTx

(almost 3-yr old post, so not sure if anyone else is still monitoring...) 

Hey Baron - with the automotive primers, do you find that they are too thick and cover fine detail?  I can see using it on large areas like fuselage bodies or ship hulls, but I'd be concerned with areas like wheel wells, cockpits, etc.  Not doubting you, serious question.

Thanks!

Jeff

 
Hi, Tojo, I did see this thread, since the bump pushed it to the top of the Technique forum on the index page Wink
 
Three years is relatively recent, as zombie threads go.
 
To Jeff and your question-yes, absolutely, automotive primers go down thicker than Tamiya Fine Surface Primer, or other primers produced specifically for the hobby.
 
I think some might decant the paint from the rattlecan and then apply them with an airbrush, which probably lets them lay down thinner coats.  That's too much effort for my taste.
 
I have also used coffee filters on automotive primers, to smooth the surface down a little more.  But since we first had this discussion a couple of years ago, I've pretty much abandoned Rustoleum's and Walmart's primers, because they changed the design of the nozzles and the cans.  I found that they would clog up and it became a chore to have to unclog them.  It wasn't just the nozzles, but in the neck of the can, they would clog.  I had several cans that wound up so badly clogged that I had to discard them with half the contents still inside.
 
So on my scale models, and on figures, I use Tamiya's primer.  It's a little more expensive by volume, but it covers well, and it doesn't present those issues that the automotive primer does, for me, at least.
 
I also want to try using Mr Surfacer as a primer, but haven't had a pressing need to experiment with it.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Thursday, January 12, 2023 12:16 PM

Decanted Tamiya primer works great out of an airbrush too.  Preserves all the details, and there's a lot less waste than shooting straight from the can.  I decant whole cans of the stuff into a 4 ounce mason jar and thin 50/50 with MEK to shoot it.  Cool

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, January 13, 2023 11:47 AM

Eaglecash867

Decanted Tamiya primer works great out of an airbrush too...

EC, do you know if the liquid primer Tamiya sells in jars, the same formula as the rattlecans?  If it is, then anyone who might not want to decant a spray can could select the jar instead.

I don't know, myself, because I've never used the primer in jars.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Friday, January 13, 2023 12:54 PM

the Baron
EC, do you know if the liquid primer Tamiya sells in jars, the same formula as the rattlecans?  If it is, then anyone who might not want to decant a spray can could select the jar instead. I don't know, myself, because I've never used the primer in jars.

Baron, I've never used the stuff in the jar, so I don't know if it is the same formula.  I have a pretty good system for decanting that makes it so easy I have never wanted to change from that.  I have used the Mr. Surfacer stuff in the jars, which always worked well, but the contents of the jar usually would slowly thicken as time passed, probably because a smaller jar is more difficult to keep the lid and rim of the jar clean for a good seal.  Decanting a 3 ouce rattle can of Tamiya into a 4 ounce mason jar gives me plenty of extra space, so I can keep returning the unused primer/MEK from my airbrush to it, and it remains in good condition right to the end.  Much easier to wipe off little, stray drips from the rim of the larger jar opening too, so it always keeps a perfect seal and the threads don't get fouled.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, January 13, 2023 2:02 PM

Thanks!  Yeah, Scott Green at Hyperscale has a video posted to demonstrate decanting paint from a jar.  I can't speak for others, of course, but personally that's more than I care to do.

But I'll have to add to the things I want to try out, airbrushing Tamiya's liquid surface primer, to see how well or how poorly it works, compared to the rattlecans.  I just reminded myself that I have a jar of the white, from a club meeting giveaway.

I think I mentioned before, I want to try Mr Surfacer some time, too.  Just to see.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Friday, January 13, 2023 2:15 PM

the Baron
Thanks!  Yeah, Scott Green at Hyperscale has a video posted to demonstrate decanting paint from a jar.  I can't speak for others, of course, but personally that's more than I care to do.

Oh, I'm with you on that.  The way I have seen most guys do decanting scared me away too, but then I came up with my own way of doing it that doesn't make a mess and doesn't involve punching or cutting into pressurized cans.  I just got a case of 4 ounce mason jars, and drilled one of the lids to accept a 1/4" ID grommet.  I then take the nozzle off the can and epoxy a bendable party straw to it.  Once that cures overnight, I just shake the can to thoroughly mix the paint, pop the nozzle back on the can, screw the lid with the grommet loosely onto a fresh jar, put the short, bent end of the straw through the grommet, and just hold the nozzle down until everything has transferred from the can to the jar.  Then I put an un-drilled lid on the jar and leave the lid loose overnight to let all of the propellant come out of solution.  Its less than 20 minutes worth of actual work, and then I have primer for months before I have to do a refill of the jar.  Not much problem with fumes either.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, January 15, 2023 9:52 AM

Hi Baron!

           Something most don't know. I do now, use Tamiya paint products now that I have learned their intracacies. The primer seems to be the same in the jars and cans except for this. The jar type IS a wee bit thicker. Thinning it by a quarter seems to make it sprayable with no problem. Just make sure to add a wee bit of Retarder - Two large drops, to each 1/2 oz of paint you're going to Spray - paint.

             If possible I like to brush the primer on. Thicker  means pinholes and irreguar spots are filled quickly and disappear better that way. Decanting isn't that hard. I use the Nozzle from a WD-40 spray rig.(Can) it works perfect and that way with the little hole in the lid of the jar, I've Made, there's no mess and it comes with it's own little tube, To go from a spray to a stream! Remember this too. All spray nozzles can be Cleaned by turning the can Upside down and letting the paint expel till there's nothing but air coming out. This used to be printed on every can, no matter who made it!

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Sunday, January 15, 2023 10:57 AM

Tamiya Surface Primer in the can is a lacquer, so just make sure you're not using their acrylic retarder with that.  Retarders aren't necessary for airbrushing Tamiya Surface Primer (even with 20% humidity at 6000 feet above sea level), and if the retarder contains alcohol (which I think it does) it will not react well with Tamiya Surface Primer in the can.  Alcohol causes it to turn to a cottage cheese-like consistency as soon as they're mixed.  Just stick with lacquer thinner (others thin theirs with that) or MEK (my go-to method), thin for a skim milk consistency, and you'll be fine.  I prime even the smallest of pieces, using my airbrush, with decanted Tamiya Surface Primer.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Monday, January 16, 2023 7:11 AM

Oh!

      Thanks for that.I forgot about the difference I have so much on my plate right now. You are so right. Use the retarder only when using the Acrylic Enamel!!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Monday, January 16, 2023 1:40 PM

Tanker-Builder

...The primer seems to be the same in the jars and cans except for this. The jar type IS a wee bit thicker...

Thanks, TB, that's what I suspected.  I can see what you describe, too, that the primer in the jar is thick. But then again, so is Mr. Surfacer! I have the same idea with either, which is to thin them to no more than 1:1 thinner to primer, and probably more on thinner and less on primer. One of these days, I'll set up a test to see how it goes.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2018
Posted by oldermodelguy on Monday, January 16, 2023 6:44 PM

When I use lacquer primer I don't use Mr Surfacer but Mr Primer Surfacer 1000 in a jar. It only needs thinning about 25% thinner, dries smooth as silk.. But it only comes in light grey.

I mostly use Stynylrez though.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 9:27 AM

Hey, yeah Baron.

               Let me know how it works out. I may run a test myself!

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