Primer

[LightNut]

What is everyone using for primers

i was using the GW black or white spray but at $10 a can that is a little steep

[pae]

I use Tamiya Fine Surface Primer.

 

If you think $10 is steep for a can the size of GWs, you won't like the ~$8 pricetag on the Tamiya stuff (which is half the size of the GW can, I think).

 

However, I have yet to find a smoother primer than Tamiya FSP. In fact, it's so smooth that sometimes paint doesn't like to stick to it.

[vutpakdi]

You're probably going to get a variety of opinions.

 

Most people (including people like Anne) will probably swear by Floquil Spray Primer. Expensive, a little difficult to find, but people will swear by the priming finish that it gives.

 

Others will like another model primer (Tamiya or ModelMaster).

 

Some will use your Citadel primer, but others will rail against the somewhat variable quality and price. Apparently the stuff that is available overseas is better than what can be found in the US.

 

Others will say that Krylon is much cheaper than both and works just fine. Others will say that it obscures detail. I did a non scientific and simple priming test and the Krylon seemed okay, but I liked theDuplicolor more.

 

A minority (and I'm one of them) will like Duplicolor or another automotive primer. Seems to go on fine and smooth to me and works reasonably well in 50-60% humidity (which counts as lowish in my neck of the woods). I've been using white, but gray and black are also available (and I might try them at some point).

 

Armory apparently used to be pretty good, but some say the quality is highly variable now.

 

Technique and environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, and wind) seem to really have an effect (more so with some primers than others). I've gotten into the habit of checking the National Weather Service forecast page for my area before priming or sealing (my wife was very perplexed as to why I suddenly developed an interest in the humidity until I explained why).

 

Another few will swear by brush on primer (possibly applied with an airbrush).

 

Ron

[Orchid_Noir]

I'm going to post this, but I do not have alot to give on it yet, as we just started trying this a couple of weeks ago (remember we haven't been there when white is in stock, so this is going on the grey and the black):

 

KILZ CraftCote premium multi-use spray paint interior/exterior

 

I decided to try it because I REALLY like KILZ products for other applications and there are enough table top pieces that are going to need priming that it was going to be a no-loss experiment. So far? I love it.

 

Good coverage with enough strength to the propellant that the paint makes it to the piece while still wet.

NO obfuscation of detail, in fact it leaves more detail than any I have tried yet.

The flat is flat, really flat.

It is VERY easy on the pocket book at $1.88 a full size can at WallyWorld.

Goes a loonnnng way per can (touts 25sq feet, and so far I believe this)

Odor is not too bad (not as strong, IMO, as dullcoat, armory, and the like)

With the little bit of paint that I have tried on it I have no complaints, it takes the paint very well so far.

Came off easy with acetone, but haven't gotten it to rub in normal wear and tear type abuse yet.

 

As of yet I have not come across a down side to this one, hence tossing it in the hat here.

 

I will post an update when I get my hands on the white, and if I come across any negatives.

[L337Dwarf]

What about using the MS primer paint from the bottle? Does that do the job just as well?

[eastman]

What about using the MS primer paint from the bottle? Does that do the job just as well?

 

it works, but it takes longer and isn't as convenient as a spray on primer (I use Floquil Base White Figure Primer). The brush on has its uses. It is very good for quick touch ups or when priming somewhere that you can't use a spray can (either due to location or humidity issues).

[pae]

Yes, but brush-on primer takes alot longer to apply than spray-on primer.

[Myrhev]

In the past (when I painted a lot) I tried several products, GW, Floquil, Krylon, Rustoleum, and a few others that I can't remember. Of those, I loved the finish on Floquil the best but the can didn't seem to go very far for me. Now that I'm getting back into the hobbie again, I plan on buying a cheap airbrush and trying out RMS brush-on primer with it. Will probably be a week or two but when I finally try it out, I'll post to let folks know how it worked out.

[tabascojunkie]

For right now I prefer Vallejo Game Color White Primer through my airbrush. When I run out of the GC I'll try the Reaper Master Series, also through the airbrush.

[thrush65]

In the primer test I did a while back I was surprised by the lack of significant differences between primers. After testing them I still have the same preferences. Tamiya Fine Surface Primer and Floquil Figure Flat are both excellent but the Tamiya is ready to paint over in hours while Floquil needs at least 24 hours to dry fully. If I'm just painting grunts for table top Duplicolor or PlastiCote are very good primers at a lot lower cost.

PrimerTest

[smokingwreckage]

I'll add a note that Super Etch Metal Primer makes a very hard coat that tends not to scratch. But this batch I have is not super smooth.

 

Does anyone else take a thumbnail to their primer and see how easilly it comes off?

[tabascojunkie]

Does anyone else take a thumbnail to their primer and see how easilly it comes off?

 

I've done that. Vallejo Model Color primer is the worst I've found of what I've used as far as how easily it wears. It comes off very easily like alot of their paints do.

 

The Game Color is better, but it will still come off.

[Sergeant_Crunch]

You know, this topic comes up rather often. Any chance we can get it stickied? *Sergeant Crunch turns on the 'Mod Signal'*

[Hells_Clown]

Where might one find Floquil?

 

I've been using Testor's matte black spray paint and I like it. Good, smooth coating, dries nice n hard. Haven't had any trouble with paint not sticking or anything of that nature yet. Haven't painted much lately though, so we'll see what happens. I also want to try white and maybe brown and see how that looks.

[Whyspyr]

I use Tamiya Fine Surface Primer.

 

If you think $10 is steep for a can the size of GWs, you won't like the ~$8 pricetag on the Tamiya stuff (which is half the size of the GW can, I think).

 

However, I have yet to find a smoother primer than Tamiya FSP. In fact, it's so smooth that sometimes paint doesn't like to stick to it.

 

I've been wanting to try the Tamiya for awhile since Lili and Flynn reccomended it to me last year-however they were usually buying up the very last can in town AS they were recommending it... If anyone knows a good online source for it I'd appreciate it. I'm currently using Krylon which I've been pretty happy with. It works well in different levels of humidity and holds up well to abuse once it's dried. I used to use Armory but the last 3 cans I bought all had issues-mostly graininess and not sticking well.