Is a base coat needed for a metallic top coat?

[conchan]

I would like to paint my next model a metallic black. What is the best way to get the metallic to really stand out?

Should I paint a light silver base coat before the black? Or is best to just paint the black over the primer?

I will be using Tamiya spray cans for the primer (either grey or pink which is better?)/paint (TS-40 Metallic Black & TS-30 Silver Leaf, if I need a base coat.).

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Stay safe and enjoy!

[Sandboarder]

I would use black primer (Mr Hobby) and then the metallic black. Probably no need for a base coat but if you really want it black, use the darkest possible primer/base coat. 
 

I have use metallic blue over a light and dark base coat and could see the difference but your using metallic black so I am assuming you want it dark and black. 

[Rich Chernosky]

You don't need primer under Tamiya. It is made specifically for plastic. I have used TS-40 over several different bases and two coats will cover most anything. But if you just want to  be on the safe side then a dark base is recommended.  Youi didn't mention what the color of the plastic is already. 

[Classicgas]

I would still use a primer. Helps fill small imperfections, helps see high and low spots, helps even out the finish.

[Plowboy]

15 minutes ago, Classicgas said:

I would still use a primer. Helps fill small imperfections, helps see high and low spots, helps even out the finish.

Exactly. 

I wouldn't use a base coat under black metallic. I don't see how it would make a difference or help coverage. No harm in doing it. But, no advantage either.

[Jonathan]

I'd use Tamiya Oxide Red or Tamiya Gray Primer, followed by the TS-40.   But that's just me.  I've felt that I've been more successful spraying over than primer than not.   But, people have had great success with and without primer.   

[espo]

My thought would be using the TS-40 Black Mt. wouldn't need and might not even show a silver base coat. As always picnic spoons are your friend. Suggestion, try a light coat of Model Master #2983 Multi color glitter clear spray or MM #2984 Silver glitter. These are both enamels, but over the Tamiya paint I don't think there would be an issue. Again, the spoon thing. This will help you see if the MM sprays are even needed to get the finish you're looking for. Many OEM Black Mt. colors in the past have a very slight multicolored flake effect as my '05 GTO did. This was not noticeable unless you were standing right next to the car.  

[peteski]

Every additional layer of paint adds to the overall thickens of paint. Since the paint thickness is not 1:24 scale, I prefer to minimize the number of paint layers on my models so the model looks realistic (not like it is dipped in honey).  Yes sometimes there is need for primer or undercoat for translucent (or "hot" solvent) top layer paints, but whenever I can, I spray over bare plastic.

If I was painting a model using metallic black plastic safe hobby paint, if the bare plastic is black or dark, I would likely not use any base coat.  But it is always prudent to do a paint test on a spoon, plastic bottle, or a scrap model to test various techniques (like how the final coat will look with or without dark base coat).

[Bainford]

Metallic black, like all metallic paints, has some degree of translucence to it. I’ve never painted metallic black, but if I did I would shoot it over black primer to ensure good ‘blackness’. 
 

It may be that the paint covers any colour very well, but that’s how I’d play it. 

[conchan]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I’ll go with the black primer suggested by Sandboarder then the Black Metallic top coat. After I’ve tested things on a spoon or two. 
The model’s bare plastic is white. 

 

@espo: I haven’t seen any Model Master paints in Nagoya so that option is out. But if I can find them I’ll give them a try. 

Stay safe and enjoy!