Good primer?

[69_Stingray]

As the title says. What is a good primer?

I'm looking to get in a spray can.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I can depend a lot on what type of paint you plan on using.

You'll get a lot of responses suggesting Tamiya primer, which is a good, safe alternative for most circumstances.

 

 

 

 

Steve

Edited March 31, 2021 by StevenGuthmiller

[Snake45]

As Steve said, Tamiya is the "weapon of choice" of many here. But it's expensive and can be hard to find. 

Lately I've been having excellent results with Touch N Tone Flat White, Flat Gray, and Flat Black as primer. This is cheap, near-generic spray paint I found in a couple local hardware stores but it works great as a primer. It might actually be the same stuff as the late, lamented Walmart Color Place flat white, gray, and black, which were also excellent primers. I hope you can find it in Canada. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

Personally, I use Duplicolor primers, but you need to be cognisent that they are designed for automotive applications and are a "hotter" primer than hobby primers.

But they have many pros as well.

 

 

 

Steve

[ewetwo]

I use the more expensive Duplicolor primer. I didn't have any luck with the cheaper version.

 

[StevenGuthmiller]

14 minutes ago, ewetwo said:

I use the more expensive Duplicolor primer. I didn't have any luck with the cheaper version.

 

I now use mostly Duplicolor "Primer/Sealer".

 

 

 

Steve

[JollySipper]

I've been getting really good results with this primer, I get it at WalMart.....

You can shoot DupliColor Perfect Match paints over it with no problem, and it dries super slick provided you spray it slick. It's what I primed this Porsche with.......

 

 

[TransAmMike]

Just recently started airbrushing unthinned Stynylrez acrylic on the recommendation of another forum member. Not so sure it is really any better than the Krylon rattlecan primer I used to use but I wanted something acrylic that I could airbrush. Will continue to use it.  And in comes in several colors too.

Edited March 31, 2021 by TransAmMike

[Kromolly]

I've been happy with Duplicolor primers.

[ewetwo]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I now use mostly Duplicolor "Primer/Sealer".

 

 

 

Steve

I followed your advice Steve seeing how beautiful your builds come out. But the more expensive primer. I tried the cheaper Duplicolor primer and it didn't protect the plastic as well as the more expensive one. At least with my experience. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

13 minutes ago, ewetwo said:

I followed your advice Steve seeing how beautiful your builds come out. But the more expensive primer. I tried the cheaper Duplicolor primer and it didn't protect the plastic as well as the more expensive one. At least with my experience. 

Which one are you using?

 

 

 

Steve

[crazyjim]

Strickly Duplicolor primers because I use hotter paints (HOK).

[ewetwo]

2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

Which one are you using?

 

 

 

Steve

The can that cost $11 Steve. There are other Duplicolor primers that run around $6. In the same auto parts store. but the paint burned through them.

Edited March 31, 2021 by ewetwo

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 hours ago, ewetwo said:

The can that cost $11 Steve. There are other Duplicolor primers that run around $6. In the same auto parts store. but the paint burned through them.

Apparently the same primers that I am using.

I don’t think I’ve ever spent less than $9.00 or $10.00 on a can of Duplicolor, and the price continues to rise.

 

 

Steve

Edited April 1, 2021 by StevenGuthmiller

[ewetwo]

Here in upstate NY. Duplicolor has 2 different primers in the auto parts stores. I can take a picture of them tomorrow.

[69_Stingray]

Is this a ok primer? 

I bought the white.

 

 

 

[JollySipper]

That pictured above is a good primer, but it NEEDS to be sanded to get any kind of smooth finish with it......

[69_Stingray]

Any other brand that I should be aware of?

[Kromolly]

It seems a little slow drying to me, but otherwise fine.  It seems like it takes longer to cure than the black.  It does sand well from my experience.

[crazyjim]

11 hours ago, 69_Stingray said:

Is this a ok primer? 

I bought the white.

 

 

 

I use the white, black, dark gray, red qxide, and light gray sealer on kits all the time with no issues.

[OldNYJim]

15 hours ago, 69_Stingray said:

Is this a ok primer? 

I bought the white.

 

 

 

I just picked up a bunch of this - Ollies had cans for 2 or 3 bucks...works great for me!

[AMT68]

On 3/31/2021 at 4:06 PM, JollySipper said:

You can shoot DupliColor Perfect Match paints over it with no problem

That's good information. I didn't realize Rustoleum 2X primer would be safe under Duplicolor Perfect Match lacquers. 

Edited April 2, 2021 by AMT68

[El Roberto]

I bought a spray can of Mr Hobby surface primer 1000 at Hobby Lobby the other day and I really like it.  It might be better than the Tamiya, covers better and levels out beautifully when dry. Also seems to be tougher. 

[ACR-E Doug]

My main primers are Mr Hobby Surface Primer and also Stynylrez. 

[bauercrew]

On 3/31/2021 at 2:10 PM, Snake45 said:

As Steve said, Tamiya is the "weapon of choice" of many here. But it's expensive and can be hard to find. 

Lately I've been having excellent results with Touch N Tone Flat White, Flat Gray, and Flat Black as primer. This is cheap, near-generic spray paint I found in a couple local hardware stores but it works great as a primer. It might actually be the same stuff as the late, lamented Walmart Color Place flat white, gray, and black, which were also excellent primers. I hope you can find it in Canada. 

Snake the walmarts in my area no longer carry the primmer so if they do in your area better get all you can