Noob with a few quick questions

[veedub72]

Hey everyone,

I am a long time casual modeler. It seems like whenever I get stressed out, I turn to models to refocus myself. I have only painted one model body in my lifetime and it was way before I knew enough to use primer (thank you AF!) Needless to say, I have learned a lot since joining the AF and I hope to post pics of some upcoming projects.

I just have one question that I haven't found in the FAQS or by searching. Do you guys prime the chassis before spraying and what color black are you spraying? Which brand of black too? It seems like if you do a lot of models those little Tamiya cans aren't going to cut it. Can you use the bigger cans from Duplicolor or Rustoleum?

Also, the FAQS recommend automotive plastic primer which I can't seem to find locally. Any suggestions on brand and where to find it?

Thank you for all of your help and I look forward to spending some time in here.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by veedub72

I just have one question that I haven't found in the FAQS or by searching. Do you guys prime the chassis before spraying and what color black are you spraying? Which brand of black too? It seems like if you do a lot of models those little Tamiya cans aren't going to cut it. Can you use the bigger cans from Duplicolor or Rustoleum?

Also, the FAQS recommend automotive plastic primer which I can't seem to find locally. Any suggestions on brand and where to find it?

Thank you for all of your help and I look forward to spending some time in here.

Primering is up to personal preferance, some don't prime at all and some prime everything. I prime everything except for clear parts. Purpose of primering: to check for flaws in the item you are painting, to give the paint something better to grip onto, sealing the previous color for a more tranculent color, giving the final color a base coat to effect the final color itself.
Actually, Tamiya cans will get a lot out of them if used well. I can 2, mayyybe 3 bodys outta 1 can. Duplicolor is also quite commonly used around here. Not sure about the Rustoleum though.
Duplicolor's primer is also commonly seen around here too. As for other brands... go to your local automotive supplies store and ask for 'bumper primer'.

HTH,
Steve.

[MPWR]

Ah, a long time lurker and first time poster? Welcome (sort of) to AF.

Really if you do alot of car models, spray cans really aren't going to cut it- you're really going to want a decent airbrush.

But meanwhile, Tamiya sprays are a great product hands down. Unlike Duplicolor, Krylon, Rustolium, etc, Tamiya sprays are formulated specificly for painting plastic models- and they really perform in that role. Excellent paint jobs can be had with many other varieties of paint- some modelers consistently manage terrific finishes form some of these and other brands. And Tamiya sprays of course don't guarantee perfect results. But it's a good enough product that I personally would recommend it for beginners to the excusion of everything else.

Painting bodies is a key skill in building car models- the paint job will usually make or break a build. Body painting is a really crappy place to try to squeeze a buck or two. Do yourself a favor and give it a try- there's a good reason it's so popular.

[veedub72]

Thanks guys...I posted my questions before I went to bed and when I woke up, answers. This is a great forum.

I will have to go look for primer today and it looks like I will stick with Tamiya sprays for now. I really don't like the coverage with the acrylic X-18 for small parts, but hopefully the X-18 spray will be nicer for a chassis. Or I could use the flat black XF-1. I guess it depends on what the model instructions call for...flat or semi-gloss.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by veedub72

Thanks guys...I posted my questions before I went to bed and when I woke up, answers. This is a great forum.

I will have to go look for primer today and it looks like I will stick with Tamiya sprays for now. I really don't like the coverage with the acrylic X-18 for small parts, but hopefully the X-18 spray will be nicer for a chassis. Or I could use the flat black XF-1. I guess it depends on what the model instructions call for...flat or semi-gloss.

Just curious what you don't like about the coverage? Is it not covering well enough? Or, is it the way the paint looks? Are you Ab'ing the X-18 or brush painting? And what type are you using? Acrylics or enamel?
I've had great results with X-18 and TS-29, more or less the same but the TS line is more durable to handling due to it being lacquer.

[tigeraid]

You're in New York, so automotive paint shouldn't be hard to find, and will be much cheaper than Tamiya. I use both, depending on the situation, but Dupli-color is way more affordable and won't hurt the plastic. Plasti-kote should work too, but don't quote me on that, and I've used Krylon (from Wal-Mart) in the past. I tend to buy in bulk any colour I use a lot. I buy the real tall cans of Dupli-color primer and Dupli-color clear, which are $9 and will last me like 6 months (a small can of Tamiya here from the LHS is $8)... I buy flat black the same, or from Krylon at Wal-Mart.

The advantage with Dupli-color is that they're an OEM colour-match system, so if you need a specific OEM colour, they have it. It's still nice to use Tamiya for some things--their gloss black is WAY nicer than anything from Dupli-color, for example. And Smoke is quite useful.

[veedub72]

cyberkid,

I have been brush painting it and it leaves brush strokes. It isn't like enamel paint...does Tamiya make an enamel version of X-18? I guess I could get the Testors Black Chrome Trim instead...I used that for a long time.

[veedub72]

tigeraid,

The Duplicolor primer that you use...is it the plastic bumper primer? And are you using any old semi-gloss black after priming?

[tigeraid]

Originally Posted by veedub72

tigeraid,

The Duplicolor primer that you use...is it the plastic bumper primer? And are you using any old semi-gloss black after priming?

I don't really think it matters, I never read the can--it's in the "truck and van" paint, the tall cans next to the rack of short cans. As for semi-gloss black, I find the famous Tamiya version a little overrated--usually a Krylon or Dupli-color flat black rubbed and blemished a little bit looks almost identical.

Just remember that pretty much any Dupli-color paint will need clearcoat to really look good. And it's a must with any of their metallics.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by veedub72

cyberkid,

I have been brush painting it and it leaves brush strokes. It isn't like enamel paint...does Tamiya make an enamel version of X-18? I guess I could get the Testors Black Chrome Trim instead...I used that for a long time.

Yes tamiya also makes enamel paints... the paint codes are the same but they come in small square bottles. I on the other hand suggest you use TS-29 instead. Touch dries in 10-30 minutes, while the enamel will at least take a day or two to be semi-touchdry.
Brush painting acrylic is near impossible (at least for me) without it messing up the finish.

Originally Posted by tigeraid

I find the famous Tamiya version a little overrated--usually a Krylon or Dupli-color flat black rubbed and blemished a little bit looks almost identical.

Don't know how the Krylon or Dupli-color looks but on Tamiya's X-18/TS-29... It's just a tad too glossy for my taste.
HTH,
Steve