primer part 2

[hellonwheelz3]

ok, so i tried to read the questions lately on primer and i got confused. can i just use flat grey paint as a primer?

[BigGary]

  hellonwheelz3 said:

ok, so i tried to read the questions lately on primer and i got confused. can i just use flat grey paint as a primer?

There are distinct differences in flat paint and primer. Use a primer under your paint for better results. Most primer is gray, however, depending on its use, it can be gray, dark brown, white, or yellow. Modelers tend to use gray or white. As I posted elsewhere, I use Wal-Mart Color Place Primer and Krylon H2O white acrylic primer. Many on the forum use Duplicoler sandable primer, or for big bucks types among us, Tamiya or Testors primer.

I don't like to spend a lot of money on primer because I sand most of it away in the prep process. Only the final coat stays and it is sanded with a blue paper towel to be super smooth. Remember the bodyman's rule: Its the work underneath a paint job that makes it great.

Wal-Mart primer is less than $2 a can, so why not use it?

Gary

[E St. Kruiser50]

  hellonwheelz3 said:

ok, so i tried to read the questions lately on primer and i got confused. can i just use flat grey paint as a primer?

The bottom line is, you can use anything you want that works for you.

Many of the posts you've read, including mine sometime's , are written as if "there's is the only way", and for someone like yourself, it get's confusing.

A road map gives you several choices how to get to your destination, but they all take time to get there.

Same with painting and getting "Your system and techniques" developed for your own personal use and situation.

It takes time and a little $$$$ to try different brands and types of paints. There's no "Plug N Play painting" techniques.

Read the other recent posts on primering, then start experimenting, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how we all learn.

Buy some cheap packages of plastic picnic spoons ( they're styrene like the kits), several different primers, and start shooting samples to see what WORKS FOR YOU.

Before you know it, instead of asking questions, you'll be giving advise .

[MrObsessive]

I gotta agree with Dave here.........it's one of the reasons I don't like to answer questions on paint as there can be a thousand different ways to do a nice paint job. What works for me might not work for the next fella...............

The best teacher is to JUST JUMP IN AND DO IT!

[beefheart22]

  hellonwheelz3 said:

ok, so i tried to read the questions lately on primer and i got confused. can i just use flat grey paint as a primer?

The way I'm to understand it, primer is a bit different in its make up. It basically sticks the paint to the plastic and prevents future problems when the paint completely dries. For example, if you paint your deck in the spring with paint only, without primer, by summer it is already peeling. If you use the primer, the paint job lasts much longer. Same thing goes for any surface be it wood, plastic or metal.

Primer is also thicker/grittier, covers all the blotches and fine scuffs from body work and sands smooth so you can lay a nice, even, paint job with no blotches from your body work showing underneath.

All in all, paint however you want. As long as it look the way you want it in the end, it doesn't matter how you did it.