help with primer and clear parts

[mr_tomcat123]

hi all
this is my first experience with primer
i'm using model master white primer
i misted coated from about 1 foot or 2 away for a few coats
the texture is now pretty coarse
so i took out my 1600 grid sanding pad and sanded it down
however, some high points have all the primer removed and the orignal plastic is showing.
on some of the low points, it is very difficult to reach and sand

my main problems are as follows
1. should i mist / wet coat the primer?
2. the plastic is white (howver, not the same as the primer)... i also have some grey mr. surfacer for sinkholes... and i'm going to paint it yellow... should i make sure everything has white primer on so the yellow would have a consistent color?
3. how smooth does the primer have to be? (right now i have it kind of smooth but not glossy)
4. if primer or dust is building up along panel lines, do i need some special tools to remove the stuff, or would the back of a hobby knife do the job?

i did read the FAQ and i don't think i got my answer there
(sorry if i missed it....)
and i did read the thread about using like 30+ coats of primer
lacking both money and patience.... i'm pretty sure i would not be doing that...

about clear parts....
i'm wondering what do you guys do to make those "windows" so realistic?
do you guys dip the clear parts in future or something?
or do you just polish it with wax or really fine compound?

that's it i think
any help would be appreciated
thank you~!

[sjelic]

First of all, you are applying primer from to far away, that is why you are getting it rough (it dries before it hits the plastic). Make swift moves across the model, come very close to model (10cm) but make a bit faster moves and never hold the spray can valve open all the time, only when you pass over the model.
For yellow it is important to have consistent paint under it (either white or gray) but gray will make it darker.
Sand as smooth as you can, the smoother the primer is the smoother the paint will be (does this sound like Yoda )
As for the clear parts, I just use wax.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by sjelic

First of all, you are applying primer from to far away, that is why you are getting it rough (it dries before it hits the plastic). Make swift moves across the model, come very close to model (10cm) but make a bit faster moves and never hold the spray can valve open all the time, only when you pass over the model.
For yellow it is important to have consistent paint under it (either white or gray) but gray will make it darker.
Sand as smooth as you can, the smoother the primer is the smoother the paint will be (does this sound like Yoda )
As for the clear parts, I just use wax.

(plus a donkey )