What primer to use under metallic paints?

[bh1701]

I will be using Tamiya's TS-54 Light Blue Metallic on an upcoming kit. I usually use Tamiya's white or gray primer on my kits. Is this what I should use, or is there something different I should do with a metallic paint?

Thanks,

Bart

[gotnitro?]

Anything will work, both of your primers mentioned will be fine .  I spray mica red over white or gray , it takes a few passes to build a rich color 

[Rodent]

I hate to say "do a spoon test", but do a spoon test. The grey primer will probably darken the blue a bit. But as Jeff says, either one will work.

[TransAmMike]

Just wondering here.  When rattle can spraying a pearl color, say a red in this case, does it really make a difference if the undercoat is a primer or say a gold metallic?

[Plowboy]

I would recommend spraying the TS-54 over gray primer rather than white. For whatever reason, blue paints seem to want to wick away around panel lines when sprayed over white primer.

[gman]

Just wondering here.  When rattle can spraying a pearl color, say a red in this case, does it really make a difference if the undercoat is a primer or say a gold metallic?

 

Sure it does- pearls and metallics are semi-transparent color coats, so the base coat (be it red, grey, white primer, or a metallic undercoat) will alter the final hue, unless you spray several color coats...enough to hide the undercoat. You'll probably find a gold undercoat will make the pearl red look richer, a silver undercoat will make the pearl red look a touch cooler. 

Spoon tests will show you the effects of undercoats and their final effect when spraying the same amount of pearl or metallic over top. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by gman

[Plowboy]

25 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:

Just wondering here.  When rattle can spraying a pearl color, say a red in this case, does it really make a difference if the undercoat is a primer or say a gold metallic?

It does make a difference in my experience. I prefer to spray pearl or mica reds over a silver or gold base. Gold seems to give a little darker, richer color. 

These photos illustrate the difference between a silver and a gold base coat. The Edsel wagon is over Mica Silver. The Ranchero is over gold. Both are painted with Tamiya Mica Red. 

 

Edited October 21, 2020 by Plowboy

[espo]

During your spoon testing, you are doing that aren't you ? See if a high metallic silver might not be a consideration for a base coat since you're doing a metallic color anyway. May be that depending on how many coats of the color coat you use this may make no difference at all.  

[TransAmMike]

I sprayed Duplicolor Mica  Ford Toreador Red over a medium gray primer and it's pretty dark.  I should hve did the gold undercoat but its done now.  I'll know better next time.

[slusher]

13 hours ago, Plowboy said:

I would recommend spraying the TS-54 over gray primer rather than white. For whatever reason, blue paints seem to want to wick away around panel lines when sprayed over white primer.

That is so true, Roger..

[BlackSheep214]

On 10/21/2020 at 11:27 AM, Plowboy said:

It does make a difference in my experience. I prefer to spray pearl or mica reds over a silver or gold base. Gold seems to give a little darker, richer color. 

These photos illustrate the difference between a silver and a gold base coat. The Edsel wagon is over Mica Silver. The Ranchero is over gold. Both are painted with Tamiya Mica Red. 

 

Those are fantastic! I definitely see the difference! 

I don't mean to stray away from the OP's original question but I do have one question. What would you suggest for a base coat for Candy Apple Red? I know there are a few candy colors out there - and red being the most common one. My thinking silver or gold base coat would work just as well?

[Plowboy]

45 minutes ago, BlackSheep214 said:

Those are fantastic! I definitely see the difference! 

I don't mean to stray away from the OP's original question but I do have one question. What would you suggest for a base coat for Candy Apple Red? I know there are a few candy colors out there - and red being the most common one. My thinking silver or gold base coat would work just as well?

Thanx! I would use gold under Candy Apple Red.