Should I use a Primer

[Guest]

Hello all. I'm kinda at a dilema as to wether I should use a primer paint before building. I've heard I should use a primer (ie a flat white on grey styrene) so that the colours of the model will show better. But I've also heard that simply washing the parts in a mild detergent and painting should be enough. I have everything in hand to start my model, except for the primer, and as you all can probably attest to the anticipation of starting the build seems to far out weigh any reasonable thought!

If there is anyone out there that can help me decide...please do!

[Guest]

There are a few things to bear in mind and using a primer is certainly not a given for all situations.

A primer serves two main purposes, it gives a key for the top coat to adhere to and it provides a base of a colour that the top coat can cover that bit more easily.

If you are painting a tank and the surface of the plastic is textured and a sand colour and you are going to paint a brown over it you really don't need a primer. If the model is a car and the body is a very shiny plastic or is red in colour and you want a white top coat they you will almost certainly require a primer.

If you are painting figures and want colours to stand out true then you will probably want a white primer before getting your fine brushes out.

Have a think about what you are doing and make a decision based on your project rather than what you think should be done.

Washing the parts in a mild detergent is to remove the slight residues sometimes left by the mold release agents. This can appear slightly oily sometimes and affect paint adhesion. Washing your parts before painting is always a good idea anyway as it also removes any dust and dirt that could affect your paint finish but make sure you let the parts air dry as using a towel could introduce more dust.

[Guest]

That was a very good explanation thank you. I'm doing an A6M2 Zero, which will be IJN Gray on the underside, and IJN Green on the top. The styrene is a gray, so I don't believe I will have any issues with colours crossing or bleeding through.

Thanks.

[Guest]

To be honest its personal choice, but if your going to airbrush its almost a must, as i find the paint has trouble keying to bare plastic! If you are brushing with enamels, then generally no you wouldnt have to prime, but priming does help with the overall finish!