Tamiya Primer.

[Swamp Dog]

This will be the first time i will be using Tamiya Lacquer Metallic Black and Orange. My question is what primer should i use ? also after i prime should i lay down a flat coat of black and orange then spray the Metallic ?

[stitchdup]

1 hour ago, Swamp Dog said:

This will be the first time i will be using Tamiya Lacquer Metallic Black and Orange. My question is what primer should i use ? also after i prime should i lay down a flat coat of black and orange then spray the Metallic ?

I'd stick with tamiya primer. you shouldn't need a coloured base under the tamiya paints as they cover well. i would not use tamiya masking tape though and instead use a brand with stainblock such as frog or my current fav, a very thin purple crepe type masking tape. its 2" wide and how tamiya used to be but unfortunatelly it has no branding. i got it at a house paint store

[mcs1056]

5 hours ago, stitchdup said:

I'd stick with tamiya primer. you shouldn't need a coloured base under the tamiya paints as they cover well. i would not use tamiya masking tape though and instead use a brand with stainblock such as frog or my current fav, a very thin purple crepe type masking tape. its 2" wide and how tamiya used to be but unfortunatelly it has no branding. i got it at a house paint store

Why avoid the Tamiya tape?

[Rbray47]

30 minutes ago, mcs1056 said:

Why avoid the Tamiya tape?

I'm curious as well. I use it all the time with no issues.

[Chris V]

The Tamiya LP-series lacquer paints generally cover very well. Though the metallic black and metallic orange are no exception (unlike the regular orange), you can use a colored primer to reduce the amount of paint required for full coverage. The metallic orange is a brownish orange hue, so an oxide red primer works well.  

Though many swear by Tamiya's primers, I've previously experienced some minor chipping along edges of even thoroughly prepared/cleaned surfaces, so I now use a slightly "hotter" brand of industrial primer for better adhesion.

 

39 minutes ago, mcs1056 said:

Why avoid the Tamiya tape?

Some have experienced issues with the Tamiya's tape harming the painted surface - mainly on their acrylics which take ages to fully cure.

[stitchdup]

54 minutes ago, mcs1056 said:

Why avoid the Tamiya tape?

 

23 minutes ago, Rbray47 said:

I'm curious as well. I use it all the time with no issues.

i've been finding craters in my paint where tamiya tape has been. it doesn't matter what type of paint i use, it always leaves my paint looking like a toppographic map

[peteski]

19 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

 

i've been finding craters in my paint where tamiya tape has been. it doesn't matter what type of paint i use, it always leaves my paint looking like a toppographic map

Sorry, I'm confused. With your statement "its 2" wide and how tamiya used to be but unfortunatelly it has no branding" are you are implying that the formulation of currently available Tamiya (Washi) tape has changed recently?

Also, the frog tape is basically a standard (and  fairly thick) masking tape with its very edge treated with some substance that absorbs water from water-based paints swelling it to produce a tight seal so the paint doesn't get under the tape. At least that was the special property of the Frog tape I tried.

[stitchdup]

2 minutes ago, peteski said:

Sorry, I'm confused. With your statement "its 2" wide and how tamiya used to be but unfortunatelly it has no branding" are you are implying that the formulation of currently available Tamiya (Washi) tape has changed recently?

Also, the frog tape is basically a standard (and  fairly thick) masking tape with its very edge treated with some substance that absorbs water from water-based paints swelling it to produce a tight seal so the paint doesn't get under the tape. At least that was the special property of the Frog tape I tried.

yes, i havent had any good tamiya tape in over a year. it used to be good

[Rbray47]

My Tamiya tape is about a year old, so maybe I got a good batch. Anyway, I usually use Tamiya sprays, and I wait at least 2 days before taping, and take it off as soon as possible. 

[stitchdup]

8 minutes ago, Rbray47 said:

My Tamiya tape is about a year old, so maybe I got a good batch. Anyway, I usually use Tamiya sprays, and I wait at least 2 days before taping, and take it off as soon as possible. 

I think you just solved the problem i'm having with their tape. I'm more used to auto paints so when i'm doing a multiple colour paint job i'm masking for the next colour in 30 mins. That could very well be why i'm having problems with the tape

[Monty]

I had an issue with Tamiya masking tape years ago when I decided to try their acrylic white to paint a body.  After it "dried" a couple days I masked the car off to paint the vinyl top.  

Long story short, the tape left "tracks" all over the paint.  Didn't want to strip it and start over so I bought a polishing kit and went at it.  

Silver lining:  I still don't use them much but Tamiya acrylics look killer when polished.  (Then again, most paints probably do)

I'll be following this thread cuz I have some projects I want to do that call for two-tone paint jobs.  

[Shark]

No matter what brand, aerosol or air brush, I use lacquer based paints on the bodies. To me, it just makes things easier.

[Chris V]

5 hours ago, stitchdup said:

I think you just solved the problem i'm having with their tape. I'm more used to auto paints so when i'm doing a multiple colour paint job i'm masking for the next colour in 30 mins. That could very well be why i'm having problems with the tape

Well that kind of haste is a recipe for disaster - regardless of what tape you use. 
Very few paints beside very “hot“ automotive lacquer basecoats will hold up to such quick handling.

[stitchdup]

2 minutes ago, Chris V said:

Well that kind of haste is a recipe for disaster - regardless of what tape you use. 
Very few paints beside very “hot“ automotive lacquer basecoats will hold up to such quick handling.

i've only been able to get hobby sprays for about a year so it all fits

[peteski]

5 hours ago, stitchdup said:

I think you just solved the problem i'm having with their tape. I'm more used to auto paints so when i'm doing a multiple colour paint job i'm masking for the next colour in 30 mins. That could very well be why i'm having problems with the tape

I have to agree with you.

[Rbray47]

On 8/25/2025 at 10:25 AM, stitchdup said:

I think you just solved the problem i'm having with their tape. I'm more used to auto paints so when i'm doing a multiple colour paint job i'm masking for the next colour in 30 mins. That could very well be why i'm having problems with the tape

Like I said above, I wait 2 days for Tamiya. However, on the rare occasion I use Testors, I wait at least 10 days. So I guess just test out your different paints and make notes. 

[oldcarfan]

Tamiya paints work well for me over both Tamiya and Duplicolor primers. It's may not be necessary, but I always use a white primer under lighter colors like red orange and yellow.