Primer

HI guys!

I am a complete newbe to car modelling and was wondering why you should use primer before spray painting.
I made a Heller Subaru and painted it without using primer in advance (at that time I didn't know you should use primer), the result is not really bad.

I am now working on a Tamiya Peugeot 206 WRC 2001 and have not yet painted the body shell, so it is not yet too late....

Grtz Marcel

A lot of paints are not completely opague, that is, you can see through them. If you have contrasting colors underneath the final paint, you can see dark and light areas, like where you have had to use putty to fix defects (putty is rarely the same color as the plastic). So, a primer is used to make the base color all the same before painting the final color. Also, some paints, like lacquers, can attack the plastic and make small wrinkles on it. Primers protect the plastic from these aggressive paints and allow you to get a smooth finish.

Thnx for your reply!

I am going to use Tamiya's TS-17 for the body shell. I am not planning to do any changes to the body, just paint it as it is. If I understand you correctly I could use it without applying primer? Or is the TS-17 not a opaque paint?

Grtz Marcel

In my experience you can paint without priming if you are using a dark color or a metallic color. They seem to cover well. The lighter colors like reds, yellows, etc. usually need a primer.

no...always use primer...the paint wont stick to the body well if you dont so do it and you will be happy

One of the important reasons I primer all of my cars is the fact that gives the model a non-plastic more solid and realistic look. Especially thin parts like race car wings. I have seen models that show light through them on thin parts,not very realistic. Primer is a an absolute necessity for color consistancy on lighter colors. Use white primer under reds,yellows and oranges and use grey under most other colors. I would prime the Peugeot you are building with Tamiya's gray primer. Also the TS-17 should have clear coat applied as soon as you are done applying it. The TS-17 doesn't have to be aplied heavily, just give it a light coat making sure the color is consistent, let the clear give the wet glossy look.