primer question

hi just wondering what a metalic primer is used for, and how is it used? thanks. Also how to get the model engine look shiny and polished (for example, how do people get the tubes to be shiny)? is that where the metalic primer comes in? thanks

A metal primer helps to "hold" the paint onto the metal surface.

As an experiment, try putting on some paint onto a metal part, e.g. a key. Once dried, u will be able to easily scrape it off with your finger nail.

Then this time round, apply metal primer (I use Gunze's transparent metal primer) onto the metal part and let it dry. Follow on with the actual paint and let dry. Now try to scrape off the paint with your finger nail....it is much more difficult to get it off this time.

I gained experience from this experiment when I was colour coding my keys using Gundam markers. Then I realised the paint don't hold on for long before I have to re-apply again (due to bunch of keys scratching each other). Later I bought a bottle of Gunze metal primer and did the second part of my experiment. Now the colours stay!

As far as engine components being shiny, sometimes they are replaced by aluminum tubing, othertimes they are painted with alclad.

thanks for the reply people! just one more question...so the metal primer is only good for metal parts (i.e transkit, photo-etched parts) right? if i only have plastic parts, the best i should use is the original primers (like the tamiya surface primers)? thanks

I use Tamiya Surface primers all around.

Oh, the transkits are usually resin.

Yes on the primer, the metal primer is for metal parts, plastic parts primer like Tamiya makes is good on plastic parts.

hi, i just bought the fine surface primer (white) and surface primer (gray) from tamiya, just in case i want to paint different colors. Can anyone tell me what's the difference between fine surface primer and surface primer? Which color of primer should i use for which paint colors, and also what's the "L" stands for on where it says surface primer? thanks

The "L" stands for "Large" as in the size of the can since it comes in 2 sizes. The white usually dries a bit smoother and is used to prime cars that will have lighter colors such as yellow, red, white, and etcetera.:)

I start using Gunze primer... and it seems smoother than Tamiya's

What about this 'mr base white' from gunze? does it work like a primer?

hi, thanks, if i want to paint the car in silver (or some color in that range), what color of primer should i use? thanks

I start using Gunze primer... and it seems smoother than Tamiya's

Same here.

hi, thanks, if i want to paint the car in silver (or some color in that range), what color of primer should i use? thanks

it depends on how you want it to look. If you want a "brighter" silver color then use white. If youd like a slightly "darker" silver then try gray. If you understand what i mean...its kinda hard to explain.

hi, i just bought the fine surface primer (white) and surface primer (gray) from tamiya, just in case i want to paint different colors. Can anyone tell me what's the difference between fine surface primer and surface primer? Which color of primer should i use for which paint colors, and also what's the "L" stands for on where it says surface primer? thanks
If you plan to use Tamiya primers, I would recommend only the "fine" surface primer for car model kits. The other "normal" surface primer is quite coarse and you would have to spend more time sanding it smooth, and which means making sure every nook and cranny of the car body which you've sprayed using the "normal" surface primer is carefully sanded to smooth. And in my humble experience it is quite exhaustive and unnecessary. So go for only the "fine" surface primer if you are building cars. I'm not sure whether the "fine" surface primer is available in both white and gray colours.

But in the next round, you may want to try Gunze's "Mr Surfacer" which are also primers. They are available in different grits. Go for the Mr Surfacer 1000 or Mr Surfacer 1200 primers which are so smooth you almost don't feel the need to sand after primering. Gunze's primers are far more superior in terms its ease of not requiring too much sanding work, and the pigments are finer. This is of course of my own opinion. I'm sure everyone has their own fav primer, and considering the "geographic availability"...you know.

And for the record, Gunze's 1000 and 1200 primers are definitely smoother than Tamiya's. Because I had tried both. Been there, done that.

Hello i have the gray tamiya surface primer. and i was thinking if i need to sand it before i starts laying the coats of the paint... and do i need to waint a hole week for the primer to dry before painting?

Hello i have the gray tamiya surface primer. and i was thinking if i need to sand it before i starts laying the coats of the paint... and do i need to waint a hole week for the primer to dry before painting?

I rarely ever wait a whole week for the primer to dry, even on models. I usually wait about 36-48hours. Especially when you have customers waiting for there cars theres no time to spend spend a couple weeks doing a simple paint scheme. But for models, I still dont wait a week. I wait 36-48hours just like autos.

Same with me Mike, I usually wait about 3 day's.

okay thanks:) but do i need to sand the body before aplying the real paint? the primer is not orange peal... but it is not smoth... it is like verrrry fine sand paper like 2000 ore something...

okay thanks:) but do i need to sand the body before aplying the real paint? the primer is not orange peal... but it is not smoth... it is like verrrry fine sand paper like 2000 ore something...

Polish the body, but NOT with any compounds. I usually wetsand the body with 2000grit, then I get a fast food napkin and rub the body in small circles to polish out some of the minor scratches left from the sand paper. Use different areas of the napkin so you dont where down the napkin.

Gosh Mike, you always get to every post I want to reply to first! But yes, listen to Mike.

okay thanks aigan:D tomorow i will pain my '69 camaro with tamiya metalic red;):D:D