The best Primer...

Since I'm new to modeling cars, I've never really experimented with primers. I'm wondering what the best spray can primer is.

I would start using an airbrush, but I'm at school and I don't have it with me. Spray cans are easier for me right now. Is duplicolor good, or something else i can get at an auto parts store? or would i be better off with testors? I tried testors on my ferrari, and it dried alright and stayed uniform, but it's not smooth at all. Is that just what i'll have to deal with until i get my airbrush here? thanks for any help you guys can give me.

Welcome to AF,

As you're new here, I'll give you a few links you read through to get a pretty good feel for where you need to start with primer :)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=578991#post578991

http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Primer/primer.htm

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63623

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=753706&highlight=primer

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=754048&highlight=primer

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=657544&highlight=primer

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask if you can't find an answer freely available.

Also, Testors primer is the worst, throw it away.

Alright, thanks for the info on that. I couldn't find anything on an airbrushable primer though. Do you think that a gallon can of automotive primer would work? (for about 100 models!!!) I'm inclined to get paint at an auto part store cause i work at advance auto and get that stuff cheap.

and one more thing, since i've already sprayed that testors primer, should I just strip it?

Check into info on spraying models with automotive paint, you can't just use any sort of paint on a plastic model.

Alright, thanks for the info on that. I couldn't find anything on an airbrush-able primer though. Do you think that a gallon can of automotive primer would work? (for about 100 models!!!) I'm inclined to get paint at an auto part store cause i work at advance auto and get that stuff cheap.
Hi, and welcome to AF.
All the hobby lacquers, enamels, and acrylics are ABable. It's just the matter of decanting it out of the original can.
Decanting links: here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=686072), here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=640667), and here (http://www.scalewiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Decanting_Tamiya_Spraycans).
I you are looking for auto primer, then I suggest you find the type that is meant for plastic, ie: bumpers. Or if you are willing to buy specialized products: Click me for paint line (http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=46), click me for primers (http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=46&products_id=1050), click me to see the whole store (http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/)
Personal experience: I have used Tamiya's and Gunze's primers with Hiroboy's auto paint without any problems.
A gallon 'tank' of primer... erm... how fast do you model :runaround: ...? I do 2 to 10 models a year... so..if it's good for 100 models.. it'll probably go dry before you can use half of it..
HTH,
Steve

Duplicolor now has a line of paints available at Oreily's auto parts (I'm sure many others as well) that is pre-thinned, and ready for spraying through a large spray gun. I'm sure that you could thin it slightly and use it for a/b. I am actually quite pleased with the duplicolor primer. make sure you get the kind that is non sanding as it lays much thinner, and won't build up on you, unless you NEED to build primer in areas such as ghosting panel lines, filled areas, and the sorts.

I actually found a primer called U-POL High #5 at a local automotive paint supply store that I LOVE! It is a sandable high build primer, but it comes in a 600 ml spray can, and it accepts tamiya spray nozzles! With the spray nozzle that comes on the can, you get a VERY heavy coat of primer with lots of bumps that need to be sanded. with the tammy nozzle, it is a nice mist spray with lots of pressure behind it so it will hit the model nice and wet so you don't get the "dusty" look that most primers leave. It dries in like 13 minutes, full cure in 3 hours, safe for plastics, accepts ALL paints, and is only $15/600 ml (the can is like a foot tall, and about three inches around!!!). There is enough primer in that can to do about 20 models!
http://www.u-pol.com/images/products/all%20images/high.jpg

Google U-POL, and you will find ALOT of stuff on their site, and I'm sure their site has a "where to get it", somewhere.