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Need some advice regarding priming


Fin

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Likely, my next project is going to be a kit that, besides the plastic, contains both resin and PE parts. Resin at least is going to be a first for me. Previosly I`ve never used a primer because I didn`t think it`s a must on an all-plastic kit and I think that applying it by brush it would just hide the details and, even by spray, after watching some tutorials, I`m left with the impression that unless the kit has deep panel lines (like some Airfix kits seem to have) it would also diminish the details. This all considering that the final paint (acrylics from Revell and Vallejo) is going to be applied by hand with a brush.

The kit I intend to put together is RV`s MiG-21 Lancer C:

http://www.super-hobby.ro/products/MiG-21-LanceR-C.html

So, my questions:

1. firstly, do you think this kit actually requires a primer to achieve a consistent look withr the paintjob?

The resin bits seem relatively small and the colour difference between plastic and resin isn`t huge.

2. would you suggest a white primer given the relatively large areas that are white for this particular aircraft?

From what I`ve read, the white paint (I`m gonna use Revell Aqua Color) does not cover that well on large areas and it`s best to have a light colour surface under it. Of course, large parts of the plane are dark grey so it`s a question what is easier to cover (white with grey paint or the other way around :D ). I currently have Humbrol`s grey spray primer, but I could relatively easily get the white version too.

Thanks for any help!

Edited by Fin
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Halfords Acrylic white primer is good & so is their grey primer.

The white is like a matt finish & it wont react to Revell Aquacolor & at £7.49 for 500ml, its really good value.

Im using the white on my indycar & its gone down really well without the need for the grey primer first.

Ive also used the halfords acrylic primers on resin & they have gone down well too.

Edited by Deadman Disciple
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Ive also found that the Halfords acrylic spray primers blend well into any panel lines & it wont fill them in either, when spraying I just give a light but good once over with it is enough, especially with a large project.

I find their spray primer is way cheaper than model primers ive used in the past & does just the same job.

Edited by Deadman Disciple
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Score another one for Halfords. I've tried all sorts of primers but keep going back to Halfords as it's cheap, easily available, works very well indeed and dries quickly and hard so that you can lightly sand it back.

Why prime? There are dozens of threads on this topic but it creates a great base for final coats (especially acrylic) and shows up any imperfections in joins before you get to the top coat stage.

Cheers,

Roger

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Thanks for your replies! I`m guessing Halfords is popular among many of you because you live in the UK and can get it easily. At a quick search I can`t even find it on amazon and since it`s a spray can I`m guessing getting it shipped across the Channel would be at least expensive if at all possible.

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Depending on how much PE you've got and how large the pieces are, a good acid etch primer will bite better and won't rub off like normal primer can. Beware, it can be quite stinky. I use acid etch on PE with no ill effects, though I advise you test it to see if it's to your liking. It only needs a dusting before you prime with a standard primer.

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Halfords is a big bicycle (and car paint) group of shops in the UK. I'm sure you will have some equivalent store locally which will stock a grey (or whatever) car primer. Experimenting with that will be a lot cheaper than trying to get one particular "label" - it may well be the same stuff inside the can anyway.

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Halfords is a big bicycle (and car paint) group of shops in the UK. I'm sure you will have some equivalent store locally which will stock a grey (or whatever) car primer. Experimenting with that will be a lot cheaper than trying to get one particular "label" - it may well be the same stuff inside the can anyway.

It is the same stuff. I buy mine from a little car paints store and pay £3.99 for primer. Not sure what Halfords charge. Acid etch is £5.99 at my local, not sure if Halfords do it as I never use them.

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Halfords do sell etch primer- no idea of the price or effectiveness when it comes to modelling.

I was considering buying it and I noticed Halfords stocked it when I was going to refurbish the wheels on my (1:1 scale) BMW; you can get it through Amazon as well, and through other motoring supplies shops.

I don't know if it keeps well or not, I'd imagine the amount you'd get for a car would last practically forever if used for modelling.

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Halfords do sell etch primer- no idea of the price or effectiveness when it comes to modelling.

I was considering buying it and I noticed Halfords stocked it when I was going to refurbish the wheels on my (1:1 scale) BMW; you can get it through Amazon as well, and through other motoring supplies shops.

I don't know if it keeps well or not, I'd imagine the amount you'd get for a car would last practically forever if used for modelling.

Etch primer has a relatively short shelf-life, under a year as I recall, so buying in a a large stock unless you are turning around a lot of aircraft is probably not a goer.

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