Primer Problems

[sigfan]

Hi, Guys.

I finally decided to start priming the Monte Carlo this morning, and I'm using Plasti-Kote White Sandable Primer. I started with the nose, and I'm glad I did, because the primer seems to have given a texture effect to the car, which I certainly don't want. I hesitate to say it looks like orange peel, but it does faintly resemble that.

I have sprayed Tamiya paints from a can before and have gotten good results, so I feel I'm applying the primer OK - but this is the first time I have used primer.

Some questions:

1) Does this primer always go on so thick, or should the primer look pretty much like paint once it's dry on the model?

2) Is it just too hot/humid to be doing this? (I was spraying on a shaded deck, but it's probably 80 something out there.)

3) Can the primer be old? It could have been sitting in the auto parts store for a while.

4) Will Purple Power cleaner (or similar) remove the primer?


Thanks for your help!

sigfan

[Dino Scuderia]

1) Does this primer always go on so thick, or should the primer look pretty much like paint once it's dry on the model?

2) Is it just too hot/humid to be doing this? (I was spraying on a shaded deck, but it's probably 80 something out there.)

3) Can the primer be old? It could have been sitting in the auto parts store for a while.

4) Will Purple Power cleaner (or similar) remove the primer?

I've never had Plasti kote primer attack plastic so it's probably orange peel... which wouldn't be out of the norm for the conditions in which you sprayed it. It will be notably thicker than Tamiya's because Tamiya's is a surface primer and Plasti kote is a 'build up' type primer.

You should be able to sand it down smooth with some 600 grit paper.

[sigfan]

Dino,

I got the primer off, but I'm not in a hurry to use that primer again. Wish I knew why it acted the way it did.
Do you have a recommendation for a surface primer? As I said, I've had good luck with Tamiya products thus far, but their little cans of primer are pricey. If I use a Krylon/big-box-store primer, will it make a difference?

Thanks,

sigfan

[Dino Scuderia]

Sorry, Plasti kote and Tamiya are the only kinds I use.

[Zoom Zoom]

Without photos there is no way to diagnose if you have an actual problem or not.

Sandable automotive primer is exactly that; it is sandable. It is intended to be shot and wetsanded before being overcoated. If you want a glass-smooth Tamiya paintjob over Tamiya primer, you have to wetsand the primer as smooth as possible. Yes, it's the smoothest primer but it has, like every primer, a surface texture. Plastikote and other automotive primers all have texture. Depending on how close you shoot it, under what conditions, will determine how much you have to wetsand it smooth. You cannot expect to prime and not wetsand if you want a smooth paint job. Every single layer counts, from the first layer to the last. Sandable primer is easy to sand smooth, it's designed that way.

[sigfan]

Thanks, guys.

Well, maybe I jumped the gun a little. It just seemed really textured to me (a little like that stone-finish in a can look), and I was being careful about spraying light coats.

My whole setup for spraying is far from ideal. I really need to figure out a better way.

And to be honest, I guess I really wasn't planning on sanding the whole car as a matter of course; however, since that seems to be the norm, I better check on my supply of 600-grit paper.

You guys never videotaped your 24-hour modelpaloozas, did you? I know I would benefit from watching one or two of those tapes!:)

sigfan

[The Prez]

If we taped the 24 hour builds,there would be alot of eating,TV watching ,and Bad joke telling.Maybe some model building.

[Ferrarifreak]

And some of these things might not be suitable viewing for some people !!! hahahaha

[BRE350Z]

You will need finer grits than 600 as well. You wouldn't start with 600 on Tamiya primer, probably 2400 or 3200. I would suggest purchasing a book or two (bob did a great updated volume on airbrushing which is available from Kalmbach or at most Hobby Towns) and check the Scale Auto web-site, they have some articles in PDF format that can be purchased. The next issue of Fine Scale Modeler is all about finishing techniques as well.

Wayne

[Zoom Zoom]

Yeah, without trying to spam this thread my article on how to achieve a glossy paint job from primer through paint and polishing is in the new Fine Scale Modeler "How to paint & weather scale models 2" that should be hitting the stands soon. And there are so many good articles in it for finishing all kinds of models that it should be a good resource for any modeler wanting information on how to do a wide variety of finishes.

[sigfan]

Thanks, Guys.

I've been checking the newsstand for the next issue of FSM and SAM. I will be sure to check out those articles.

sigfan