Tamiya primers

[StevenGuthmiller]

I realize this topic has probably been beaten like a dead horse but I just returned from my local Hobby Lobby with 2 cans of Tamiya primer. One regular gray & one fine white. I know a lot of you swear by the stuff, so I'm just looking for any tips on what I should do with the stuff. My first inclination would be to use it sparingly!! At $13.00 a can, I don't think I'll be slinging it everywhere! I'll be using it under automotive lacquers so I guess my main questions would be;

How well does it cover & how many coats would I need to ensure no issues with plastic "craze"?

How hot is it? Will it craze the plastic itself like Duplicolor primer will if sprayed too heavy?

Just the first questions that come to mind. Any other useful input would be appreciated. I'll be using this for the first time on a couple of pretty rare vintage kits, so as you might expect, I'm a little paranoid about switching primer in mid stream. Steve

[Nacho Z]

Steven, my experience with this has been positive. I don't remember having to put more than one or two coats down. I usually lay one coat down and use it to check my body work. I almost always find something that will need to be fixed, whether it be more filler and/or sanding or fuzz balls in the primer. I'll shoot another coat if needed. I do not recall it crazing plastic. I suppose it depends on the plastic in the kit, Revell, AMT, Tamiya, etc. I build all of them and do not remember having problems with any of them.

[slusher]

Steve, I have had no issues with Tamiya primer and I have used it under Testors, enamel and Lacquers. Roger Hayes got me to using it on parts I brush paint. I have used it with Duplicolor paints.

Use a 40 percent coupon and buy 1 can at a time..

[Ace-Garageguy]

Use a 40 percent coupon and buy 1 can at a time..

AHA !! Smart man. I've been looking for a rationalization to try it, but I'm just too cheap to pay full pop. You may have changed my life, sir.

[PARTSMARTY]

My favorite primer.i;ve never had an issue and love the stuff!!!

[cobraman]

I think I may give it a try too. What is it about it that makes it so good ?

[martinfan5]

Now that Hobby Lobby is stocking Tamiya Primer, its my go to primer, well, that and Mr Hobby Mr Surface primers, as they say, you get what you pay for.

[High octane]

I've been using Tamiya Primer on the last several builds and it goes on smooth and thin. If I can get away with one coat, I do as I like to finish a car with the least amount of paint possible. This way the paint doesn't bury any details, like moldings, emblems, scripts, etc.

[maltsr]

I think I may give it a try too. What is it about it that makes it so good ?

I use it all the time Ray, it lays down smooth, covers well and is easy to sand. I've tried the pink under red with good results, and they've just introduced a new red oxide primer here in NZ which I hope to try soon.

I usually use Tamiya colour coats, but it appears to work under automotive paint too.

[martinfan5]

I've been using Tamiya Primer on the last several builds and it goes on smooth and thin. If I can get away with one coat, I do as I like to finish a car with the least amount of paint possible. This way the paint doesn't bury any details, like moldings, emblems, scripts, etc.

Yes, it has great coverage , one coat is enough, that in turns make it last longer.

[Quick GMC]

The fine stuff dries so smooth it has a sheen to it. I accidentally bought the regular. It's great but when compared to the fine there is a difference

[StevenGuthmiller]

Thanks guys! Like I said, My biggest fear is that I'll craze the plastic on one of these vintage kits! What I usually do is spray a couple of coats of a similar Duplicolor paint to the MCW Lacquer I'm using as a finish color. That way I save on my "good" paint & I can save what's left for another build. Any way, the Duplicolor paint is very "hot" & I was mainly wondering if a couple of coats of Tamiya primer is enough to shield against that. I know for instance, that Testors is not a good primer for Duplicolor & was wondering if the Tamiya primer was that same sort of "hobby" primer. I usually shoot a coat of Testors gray, followed by a coat of Testors white & then 3 or 4 coats of Duplicolor white, so I really have a good base for my lacquer. But I've had issues with the Testors primer & I'd really like to be able to cut down on primer coats. So far I'm feeling relatively safe, but More input is always good. Steve

[martinfan5]

Thanks guys! Like I said, My biggest fear is that I'll craze the plastic on one of these vintage kits! What I usually do is spray a couple of coats of a similar Duplicolor paint to the MCW Lacquer I'm using as a finish color. That way I save on my "good" paint & I can save what's left for another build. Any way, the Duplicolor paint is very "hot" & I was mainly wondering if a couple of coats of Tamiya primer is enough to shield against that. I know for instance, that Testors is not a good primer for Duplicolor & was wondering if the Tamiya primer was that same sort of "hobby" primer. I usually shoot a coat of Testors gray, followed by a coat of Testors white & then 3 or 4 coats of Duplicolor white, so I really have a good base for my lacquer. But I've had issues with the Testors primer & I'd really like to be able to cut down on primer coats. So far I'm feeling relatively safe, but More input is always good. Steve

Tamiya is not a "hot" paint, its a plastic safe paint, do not worry, it will not craze the plastic.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Tamiya is not a "hot" paint, its a plastic safe paint, do not worry, it will not craze the plastic.

That I understand Jonathan, But the paint I'm putting over it is very hot, So my question is, how much Tamiya primer do I need to prevent that? Steve

[Ace-Garageguy]

My biggest fear is that I'll craze the plastic on one of these vintage kits!

I would tend to think there is less likelihood of crazing the plastic on vintage kits than there is on the stuff made recently. This is a '61 Johan annual. The black is SEM self-etching primer for 1:1 work. It's really hot...and it didn't touch the old Johan plastic. It destroyed the surface on a 4 or 5 year old Revell kit.

[martinfan5]

That I understand Jonathan, But the paint I'm putting over it is very hot, So my question is, how much Tamiya primer do I need to prevent that? Steve

I misunderstood you, my mistake

Edited November 15, 2014 by martinfan5

[StevenGuthmiller]

I misunderstood you, my mistake

No problem Jonathan. I did ask how hot the primer was in my original post. Steve

[my80malibu]

Steven give Citadel brand Skull white primer a try, it has many of the same qualities of Tamiya brand at a better price.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Thanks Gabriel, but I can't even get Plastikote primer around here, I'm sure your suggestion is non-existent in my area. I don't mind ordering paint online as I use a lot of airbrush ready paints & I can order a dozen jars at a time. But I use primer in a rattle can & I refuse to order it online. I just use way too much of it. I'd be ordering primer constantly. So I want to stick with something I can pick up locally if at all possible. Thanks for the suggestion though! Steve

[my80malibu]

Steven I don't know where your located, however I usually find Citadel products at wargaming stores. There may be one of those in your area. You should be careful visiting these establishments especially on Saturday's, there are a high number of gaming Nerds during that time.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Steven I don't know where your located, however I usually find Citadel products at wargaming stores. There may be one of those in your area. You should be careful visiting these establishments especially on Saturday's, there are a high number of gaming Nerds during that time.

That's Funny!! But actually, there is a gaming place here in Rochester MN called "Hobby Goblins". I guess I could give it a try some time. Thanks Gabriel!! Steve

[my80malibu]

Think of it this way, 1 can of Citadel is equal to two cans of Tamiya. But cost only $19.00 as I stated before it is as good as Tamiya, the only difference to Me was it goes on a little heavier, and takes less to cover than tamiya. Tamiya brand I feel is just too thin,for Me which made me use multiple coat's

[Cato]

Think of it this way, 1 can of Citadel is equal to two cans of Tamiya. But cost only $19.00 as I stated before it is as good as Tamiya, the only difference to Me was it goes on a little heavier, and takes less to cover than tamiya. Tamiya brand I feel is just too thin,for Me which made me use multiple coat's

Gilbert,

Isn't that an acrylic primer? Won't lacquer top coats eat it?

Also can you sand it?

[my80malibu]

I believe it is acrylic lacquer, it sands just fine,and I have never had any issues with clear coats, I normally use Duplicolor clear,for my cars.

[Cato]

I believe it is acrylic lacquer, it sands just fine,and I have never had any issues with clear coats, I normally use Duplicolor clear,for my cars.

Thank you-I've had no experience with it so that's good to know.