importance of primer

[Swanningabout]

Is is really important to use a primer? Is this any different from using say two coats of base coat if the first one does not cover well enough? (I am thinking in terms only of hand brushing here)

 

[Elm City Hobbies]

Not really. While primer is paint, not all paints are primer!

A primer will give you an even surface for the top coats to go on, as well can have a color effect on the top coat as well.

Take 3 spoons, paint one white primer, one grey primer and one black primer. Then paint the same top coat on each spoon, and see the difference in hue of the top coat.

Same thing will happen to your top coat depending on the color of the plastic you are painting over.

Primer tends to "grip" to the bare plastic much better than just regular paint, and is essential if you are painting with acrylics, as they don't have the "hotter" thinners in them to adhere themselves to the plastic.

Also if your kit has a myriad of different parts: IE: plastic, resin, photoetch, white metal, etc, etc. Primer coat over the kit will even the kit out, which harkens back to the color of what is under the top coat....if you had white plastic, maybe green resin and brass colored PE...your top coat is going to have a patchwork effect to it as it will dry to a different hue on each of the dissimilar medias on the kit.

 

[Splashcoat]

I agree wholeheartedly with all of the above statements; primer is an indispensible step in achieving a perfect paint finish.

Additionally, if you use a sandable primer like Rustoleum Painter's Touch (my personal favourite), minor surface imperfections can be easily corrected before you apply your final colour coat.

 

[hooterville75]

Loves to read Scott (ECH) responses as he explains stuff so thoroughly to the point that one can understand what hes saying. Ive learned alot from your responses so far Scott. Thanks tons man. ;D