Quote:
Originally posted by shieldwulf
Yes, I have read the FAQ before I speak.
AF FAQ - What is primer? Do I have to use it?
I know everyone (or maybe 99%) is agreeable to the almost mandatory step of spraying a base coat or primer before putting on the actual body colour to the body of a model car. After I saw the satisfactory result of my first car kit primed before spraying & sanding, I also believe in priming.
But I still cannot help to think of these questions in my mind:
1. Tamiya Spray can instructions never tells me to prime:
On the instructions, it says about spraying from a certain distance, spray it in the open etc. But how come there is nothing to say you should prime? Now, even if these instructions are general in nature, I don't even see it coming in its catalog. There is nothing from Tamiya that says, "if you are painting plastic model kits, please spray a coat of Tamiya Primer before applying Tamiya Spray."
2. Tamiya Spray is for plastic and metal:
On the can itself, it has the words "for plastic or metal". Does it actually mean that barring any imperfections on the surface to be sprayed, the paint is designed to be sprayed directly onto metal or plastic without priming at all?
Take a look at the literature accompanying this link. It does suggest that there is no need to prime at all, doesn't it? 
Tamiya Ferrari 360 Modena body kit
3. If considering that kits like Tamiya have a near perfect and smooth body kit, and I do not have to do any puttying or repairs, do I still need to prime? Take the Tamiya Honda Fit (Jazz) model kits for example, it is also released in different molded colours for the body kit. You have Taffeta White, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Iris Red Pearl etc. Well, if it is strongly recommended that we should prime before spraying the body colour, what's the point of offering these kits in different colours?
HLJ link -Tamiya Honda Fit (molded in Taffeta White)
The only reasons I can see are:
a) Some kits no need to prime.
b) Kits are offered in colour for those who don't want to paint or just want to clear coat.
c) Some modelers just apply the body paint without priming and the result is no different from priming (barring any imperfections on the kit).
I do think this issue merits some discussion as I believe it is different from "to do panel line or not".
I appreciate if anyone can contribute their opinions. Thanks.
|
Tamiya instructions don't mention a lot of things necessary to make a good model, like removing mold lines, filling ejector pin holes, etc. But they are of course necessary if you want a perfect model, just as priming is almost crucial to getting a good paintjob. That's why Tamiya sells a Fine White Primer and a Gray Primer. One reason perhaps is that it might discourage people from buying Tamiya sprays if they find out they have to buy the Tamiya primer with it.
The Honda Fit Jazz thats been released in so many colors is for weekend modelers who more often than not just glue everything together and don't paint.
Even if a body comes 'perfectly' molded straight from Tamiya you still need to sand off the mold lines, which introduces scratches onto the body that need to be filled up with primer or may show through to your final color coat.
Hope this answers some questions