White primer on white molded parts ??

[Goodwrench3]

Hi all:

I'm sure you have all sorted this out already, but this poor sod hasn't yet.

Whenever I want to prime some parts with white primer (because the color coat will be a light color), if the plastic is molded in white I have been spraying a light coat of gray primer first.  I do this so that when I spray the white primer, I can easily see where I've covered and where I haven't without loading up the part with primer.  If the plastic is molded in white, it's hard to see where you have adequately covered it with white primer and where you need more.  But it usually takes a couple coats of white primer to fully cover the gray primer.  So in the end, the parts end up with several coats of primer in the process (not always a good thing).

Any advice or tips welcome.

Thank you.

 

[High octane]

I always use white primer under all the colors I spray except when I'm spraying black or a silver color, then I use grey primer. I also use as little paint as I can to avoid "paint build up" which tends to hide emblems, scripts, moldings,etc. Usually I'll spray  one or two light coats of primer, then 24 hours later I'll spray two light color coats followed by a "wet" color coat. And 24 hours later I'll spray two light clear coats, followed by a "wet" clear coat. I allow 20 minutes "flash time" between coats, so it takes me approximately 45 minutes total time to spray my color coats or my clear coats. This method works for me.

[Miatatom]

Some primers actually are labeled as filling fine scratches. They have a high build up and can bury details. Tamiya white and grey both go on smooth and need little sanding. They're not cheap though. What type of primer are you using?

[Goodwrench3]

Some primers actually are labeled as filling fine scratches. They have a high build up and can bury details. Tamiya white and grey both go on smooth and need little sanding. They're not cheap though. What type of primer are you using?

Typically, I use either the Tamiya rattle can white and gray fine spray primer, or the Model Master Lacquer spray can primer.

Just wondering if you are spraying the white primer on white molded parts or doing like I am and spraying gray primer first so that you can judge when you are spraying the white primer ?

Thanks

 

[peteski]

Whenever possible I avoid using primers (to minimize the total thickness of the paint on the model. That is when I use plastic-safe paints and there is no body work done to the model's body.  Otherwise, I usually use the Tamiya Fine Primer.

[Brett Barrow]

I can easily tell the difference between Tamiya white primer and Revell white plastic. I just shot some tonight. It's kinda like how you can see white sanding dust in panel lines on white plastic. 

[Miatatom]

Just wondering if you are spraying the white primer on white molded parts or doing like I am and spraying gray primer first so that you can judge when you are spraying the white primer ?

Thanks

 

No, I use white on white.

[62rebel]

I have noticed that bodies painted white (or, sometimes, LEFT in the white) often seem translucent when photographed. I usually paint the inside of a white body in black, or prime it a dark color. Yellow cars seem to have the same issue. They "glow" in flash. Then again, some kits get the inside painted black regardless of the exterior color due to too much underside being visible. 

[peteski]

I have noticed that bodies painted white (or, sometimes, LEFT in the white) often seem translucent when photographed. I usually paint the inside of a white body in black, or prime it a dark color. Yellow cars seem to have the same issue. They "glow" in flash. Then again, some kits get the inside painted black regardless of the exterior color due to too much underside being visible. 

But doesn't the black paint visible through the translucent light-color plastic darken and dull the color, and make it look weird?  If I was going to paint the inside of the translucent light-clor body, I would either use color similar to the plastic's or white.

[62rebel]

It really depends on the situation. I've got a Lindberg/AMT 61 Chevy that looked strange unpainted and took on a more "solid metal" appearance with the inside painted black. The objective being to stop light passing through the plastic at all.

[Goodwrench3]

Some primers actually are labeled as filling fine scratches. They have a high build up and can bury details. Tamiya white and grey both go on smooth and need little sanding. They're not cheap though. What type of primer are you using?

Usually either Tamiya Fine White and Gray rattle can primer, or Model Master lacquer sandable primer.

 

[Miatatom]

Usually either Tamiya Fine White and Gray rattle can primer, or Model Master lacquer sandable primer.

That's what I'm using but I just bought some cheap Walmart primer to try.