what are some good primers you guys can recommend? Is vallejo any good? Mostly working on armor. Primarily airbrushing acrylics.
I use either Tamiya Fine or Mr Surfacer 1200,both in a rattle can.
I have heard that Vallejo isn’t a primer in the true sense,in that it’s not sandable,it’s more for just laying down an appropiate colored undercoat.
Correct if I’m wrong on that,but a primer that shows flaws and improves paint adhesion would be one of the enamels or lacquers.
I’m useing Alclad and really like it. I find it very similar to Mr Surfacer but cheaper and easier to get hold of over here.
First big question is, do you use acrylics, enamel, or lacquer paints. You may find different primers better for each.
Also, styrene is easiest to prime. In fact, some of my modeling friends do not even prime styrene. Resin is next critical for proper primer. Lastly, metal, such as PE or die cast metal will have very poor adhesion with most paints unless the proper prime is used under paint (also, metal must be thoroughly cleaned before priming).
airbrushing acrylic paints. Only on plastic models. Whatever tamiya uses for plastic
As Don says, you don’t have to use a primer. I didn’t for years, even though i use resin and PE. I only started useing it to help show flaws and because on occasion i was having issues with resin parts. So don’t feel you have to prime.
My go-to primer is Rustoleum brand primer in rattle can. It goes on really smooth and the best part? It’s wet sandable as well as dry.
I use Tamiya fine gray or white in a spray can, give me a great overall base to start my painting on. I put enamel and acrylic over it.
John
I’ve been using Vallejo acrylic polyurethane primers. They go down nice unthinned and are not strong odor wise. However I have found even with proper model cleaning. (Wash with soap and water, assemble, clean again with simple green degreaser to remove skin oils, dust, remanants of sanding) it chips and scrathes very easily. Have also found it hard to sand. They work great as long as you dont manipulate the model a lot before the final paint coat.
Im in the process of building a spraybooth and may end up getting a different more agressive primer with better bite as I do like to sand my finishes a bit smoother.
I use it a lot too, but have had some compatibility problems. It seems a bit hot, and can cause some minor crazing of styrene.
I never experienced any crazing or compatibilty issues whatsoever. Keep in mind Rustoleum is part of Testors.
Mr Surfacer 1500 thinned 3 parts Mr. Leveling Thinner, 1 part 1500. When you are done, add some Mr. Leveling Thinner to your airbrush pot and spray it over the entire surface of your newly applied primer. The end result is AMAZINGLY smooth and level. 1500 can also be wet sanded, filling small surface scratches and such. Really good product. I use alclad primers sometime too, when I know not much sanding is required. Its almost airbrush ready right out of the bottle.