Using a lot of Primer..!!

I seem to be using a lot of primer. Not really using it other then to prime ALL parts I spray with either airbrush or can. OK, that's nearly 85% of the build, but I must be halfords new best friend at the moment.. I've used nearly 5 cans, and I've only completed two cars..

I did have to strip one body, and I've just used one of those five cans on a new build, but still... That's a lot.. Just how much primer do all of you get through? 1 can per build? 2 cans per build? Seems to me 'm using around 2 cans per build.. and most of the stuff I spray with it only gets mist and then a final overall coat to cover the plastic..!!

that is way too much primer, i dont know how big the can is that you are using but , i used the big can by duplicolor and i've been using the same can for about 10 models. one can for me goes really far , i dont use much i just skim the body so i can put final paint on. bt yea you are using way to much for just 1-2 cars.

i dont put primer on my parts just the body i see no need for it on parts but i dont use that much at all unless im doing body work then i light spray if its still messed up i do it over

Ah - spraying small parts is where I'm using most of my primer. As they are small, and the primer is automotive primer the amount it spits out cannot be controlled.. I end up with a lot of it in my spray box..!!

However they are small cans. Not the usual 400 - 500ml but the small 300ml cans. I spray ALL parts with primer apart fom clear or chrome.. I read somewhere the paint sticks better if you prime all parts.. Is this now not true? If so I could knock the amount of primer down by half, or more, as the body only needs, like what a small percentage of the can..!!

With the Tamiya stuff I usually prime everything to get a good/even finish. Either way I've gone through two cans, on 3 1/43, couple 1/64's, and I think thats all.

that's a lot. Usually, a can of primer last me 4 or 5 models (2 or 3 if I prime all parts)

The big can of White Fine Tamiya Primer lasts me about 6 1/24 models. I only prime parts big enough to warrant it, body, wheels etc etc. For small parts I will lay a rough mist coat of the final color to be applied first just to provide a key for the top coat.

I also use Halfords primer and can usually get four or five bodies out of a 300ml can. The only thing I prime other than bodies is the under chasis/floorpan if I want to do it satin black. If you use Halfords satin black direct on plastic it can wrinkle hence primer, I never prime anything else.

Looks like I'm using a little too much.. I tend to cover all parts REALLY well with primer, sometimes two coats on body and large parts..!! Sounds like I could cut that down..

Thought I was going through a little too much. I thought you put a mist of primer on, then covered the entire area really well.

I did end up using a lot of primer on the Subaru WRC car I built, as I stripped it once, meaning four coats of primer in total = nearly one can. If that had only been one light coat it could have been around 5 body coats..

Ah well learning..!! I'll use less primer. Thanks guys.

Oh - Should I not bother with small parts, only the body? What about undersides, and seats etc..? Not prime them or prime them anyway? I don't mind using a can a car if I get better results.

I prime all my small parts when they're still on the parts tree so most of the primer gets on the parts instead of the spray box.

I prime all my small parts when they're still on the parts tree so most of the primer gets on the parts instead of the spray box.

I did think about do that, I might give that a go. It's the small parts that is increasing the primer usage. If I didn't prime the small parts I would have used only 2 cans..!! I did read somewhere that primer for ALL parts if a good idea, but I can't remember where I read it.

Thus I've started building models again, and I've got into a routine of primer for ALL parts.. Problem is, I'm using a lot of the stuff..

Oh - and semi gloss black..!! :biggrin:

yeh thats a little too much primer, out of tamiya primer i usually do 3-4 car bodies and most of the parts. Their primer is so expensive though, i hear you on the semi gloss black too.

I go through about one 300ml halfords primer per two cars (I know that because I've only completed two models & chucked the can out recently.) However, I do as you do, I prime everything (I believe the top coat then lies better).
What I do though is mount all the little pieces onto cocktail sticks using blu-tack and then lay these flat in my cardboard-box-booth and spray! That way there is not too much wastage, the downside though is that it's a slow and tedious process! But, once the primer's down then the fun can begin!

I generally use about half a 300ml can of Halfords primer per model. This can vary quite alot depending on how many small parts need to be sprayed - I also often use either grey primer or matt black for interiors/seats etc and this uses up quite alot.

Looking on the bright side, at least Halfords have a 3 for 2 offer on their paints at the moment......So you had better get stocked up!

I use Dupli Color Primer 10oz cans and i usually build 4 to 5 cars with one can. I only primer the parts the need to be painted with lacquer. Small parts that are painted with Acrylic are left with no primer:)

Usually when it involves something in an aerosol can and that will be used a lot such as clear/primer, what I usually do is I find an empty bottle, fill it with some thinner (according to the type of paint) and spray the clear/primer into the bottle with the thinner. I apply the clear/primer using airbrush and by doing this I can control the use of the clear/primer (especially for painting small parts). This might be a tedious process but it works for me :grinyes: Just my :2cents:

Hi Mick, I use Halfords plastic primer as well and it does stretch a lot further thean you seem to be able to get.
My friend who has started spraying uses a lot of paint but tends to spray "off the part" for quite a long time. By that I mean the amount of time he holds down the button prior to passing over the plastic - this can drastically increase the amount of paint you use.

I normally start spraying 1 cm from the start of the part, and end around 1 cm past the end of the part, I never start too close to the edge.. Or end close to the egde.. I like to get an even coat and doing this means it is even every time. I do this for all my spray work.

but I know this wastes paint, as my spray box takes a big hit..!!