What primer is best...

[DanSmith]

for use with Tamiya paints? I figured that Tamiya would make there own primer, but I can't find any at any of the local hobby shops. Also, which Tamiya color (or color mixture) should I use to paint the body of the RX-7 Type A Spirit R?

http://www.supercars.net/garages/carlitos/114v2.html

[daggerlee]

Tamiya does make their own primer, in two grades: White (fine) and Grey (slightly coarser). They're ideal for use with their TS sprays, though just about any lacquer based primer (any automotive primers, Krylon, Mr. Surfacer) will work as long as it dries smooth.

I wouldn't know how to mix the Titanium Silver of the Spirit R, I would think the instruction manual would have a custom mix from Gunze Sangyo paints, which you could then airbrush and clearcoat over.

[DanSmith]

Well, the kit is a Fujima kit but I was hoping to mix the color using Tamiya paints. I think it has the mixture for Autocolor? paints in the instructions, but I don't have any of that brand of paints and don't know where I could get them as I don't recall seeing them before.

[daggerlee]

I think you could try exploring along the lines of mixing X-11 chrome silver and XF-56 metallic grey.

Or you could try ordering the appropriate Gunze Sangyo auto colors from www.hlj.com (which sells Tamiya primer, btw)

If the kit calls for Gunze Sangyo acrylics, then you're out of luck, as I believe HLJ is not allowed to ship them overseas. Then you should try searching for them online here Stateside, try shopping.yahoo.com as a starting point

[freakray]

Tamiya make a Titanium Silver paint, it is X-32 in the acryllic range, so I would imagine it is the same in the enamel rnge.
www.plastic-models.com have all the Tamiya primers in stock, so you could order them from there, or for that matter any store that sells Tamiya paint should be willing to get primer for you too. Just don't let them tell you that you don't need it, I have heard of hobby shops doing that.

Ray

[DanSmith]

Thanks guys.

[daggerlee]

Tamiya make a Titanium Silver paint, it is X-32 in the acryllic range

Tamiya's Titanium Gold and Titanium Silver are really just mixes of X-11 and X-12, I believe Titanium Gold is the popular X-11:1 + X-12:1 and the Titanium Silver may be X-11:2 + X-12:1. There's a strong hint of gold in the finish of Titainum Silver.