When priming plastic models what is a good primer to use? What is the thinning ratio for it and what can you use to prime it with?
I use Testers primer in the spray can, it has a very fine spray.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
Mel, would that be the same as this MM primer, as it's made by Testors? And can it be used as a primer for acrylic based paints? Dan
Tamiya offers a good grey primer in a spray can, which is very close to the results you'd get from an airbrush. It's one of the few spray cans I don't mind using, as many others put out way too much paint with each press of the button.
I like Alclad II lacquer-based grey primer & microfiller. It comes in a 4oz. plastic bottle, with mixing balls (like BBs) in the bottle. It's ready to use once it has been well-shaken...no need for thinning. It covers very well and dries fairly quickly. It's best applied with an airbrush, and like most lacquer-based paints, should not be applied to plastic items using a brush.
My previous grey primer was from Floquil, now long gone, but the Alclad is a much better product.
Wayne
RPM makes testers, and floquil polysCale, and some others. RPM also makes rust oleum and kryLon. not sure who makes Tamiya but should be on the label in the fine print somewhere. If you can identify the parent manufacturer, then you will have an idea what paint brands will play well with each other
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Hi there. Vallejo sells a primer for their acrylic paints. It is sold in bottles, and I have used it with my airbrush. I would say it is "OK" - I say that because in one case, it did not stick on the paint of one European model I was painting. Auto primer did the job in that case, which I covered with acrylic paint (I believe we can do that). Auto primer can melt some plastics, so I try to avoid doing that without testing it first. But in all other cases, the Vallejo primer worked fine. It would be nice if was available in lighter colors (my LHS only offers it in black).
Simon
Thank you for all your replies. i think I will use this product because I have trusted Testers many years ago. By the way I have found all the information useful.
I use a few different primers, depending on the final colors.
Vallejo offers a acrylic primer in gray, black, and another color, the black works very well for dark colors and silver/chrome. Gray works for most others. It airbrushes straight from the bottle, no thinning. (Although strain it after mixing!)
I use Tamiya white primer for all light/white projects. That comes in a ratle can.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
My fav. spray can primer is Tamiya's lacquer based Fine Surface Primer, goes on nice and as Doc Wayne says, nearly as good as using an airbrush.
Desiring more control I gave Vallejo Acrylic-Polyurethane Surface Primer a whirl thru my Badger Patriot airbrush. First try was 2 drops Vallejo airbrush thinner to 15 drops primer, went on okay, but with some spitting and internal brush clean-up was a chore.
Before a second try saw a youtube vid that suggested 50/50 mix primer and thinner. Big difference, went on real smooth with easier clean-up. Didn't do any sanding, but heard that this primer will peel if sanded before competely cured.
Got some Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer on order that I'm eager to shoot.
Regards, Peter
I use the Tamiya white and gray primers in the spray cans. Both are excellent.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I guess I'm the cheap guy on the block. I use inexpensive automotive spray can primer and it works fine if you maintain a proper distance and apply light coats. I use red oxide or gray depending on the final colour.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
wdw3082Thank you for all your replies. <SNIP> I have found all the information useful.
I think this question does not have a right answer. I think we all have our favorite primers, and they all work for us, but we all do it differently.
I am so thankful no one said anyone else was wrong, because nobody was.
-Kevin
Living the dream.