Primer
helps prep a model part for paint. If you've done any sanding
on the model, or any putty work, you'll have high and low spots,
and an uneven texture.
Shooting
the model part with primer allows you to sand the model with fine
sand paper to get a smooth finish layer to shoot paint on.
If
you can see an imperfection in the model part covered with primer
- you will notice it even more whan you cover it with paint.
Some
primers can even act as a filler for minor imperfections.
Fine
primer is especially designed for models, which are often a very
smale scale when compared to painting a real car or a piece of
furniture.
If
you use automotive paints, primer is usually required. Automotive
paints (or almost any paint not designed specifically for models)
can etch the plastic, sometimes even melt it. You need the primer
to help act as a barrier.
Primer
can also be useful for models that are molded in color. Shooting
a black molded model with white or gray primer can help with painting
the model a lighter color than what it was molded in.
Red
Oxide primer is good for paint colors like red or orange, or yellow.
Black
primer is good for dark colors, including black.
White
is almost good for any paint color, especially if you want to
lighten your paint color up some (for instance, when the model
is molded in a grey color as many are).
Most
modelers have their favorite primer. Once they find one they like
they tend to stick with it for years.
Model
puttys vary in the way they are made. White putty is most common,
though some are "red" (more of an orange color) and
some are green.
Some
puttys, like the Squadron Green, has model glue mixed into it,
and it helps bond to plastic by sometimes melting it some.
Again,
modelers have their favorite puttys they tend to use for years,
so it's a matter of preference.
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On
many models there are seams to fill, modifications to make,
and scratchbuilt parts to fabricate and attach.
Many of these will require some
body work and filler of some kind.
Here
we have various primer and putty choices. |
Scale
Model Life |
Most
of these primers are specifically made for modeling. But
there are times when you are building models from metal,
resin, vinyl, or other materials that are not the standard
plastic in a kit.
In
cases like these I personally use an automotive primer.
These kinds of primers will stick and adhere to almost anything - any material.
It's extremely rare, if ever, that I have had an issue where
the automotive primer did not stick.
Currently
I use 2N1
Grey Primer (if using a can). It has a very important fan spray nozzle that allows you to lay down thin coats.
My personal choice for putty at this time is Tamiya White Putty.
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Putty
Application Tool

Tamiya
White Putty

Putty
Application Tool Set

Putty
Application Tool Set

Tamiya
Basic Putty

Perfect
Plastic Putty

Mr
Hobby White Putty

Squadron
White Putty

Squadron
Gray Putty

Milliput
Superfine White Putty

Milliput
Medium Fine Black Putty

Milliput
Standard Yellow-Grey Putty

Model
Filler

Acrylic
Resin Plastic Putty

Plastic Putty

Polyester
Putty

Epoxy Smooth Surface
Putty

Epoxy Quick Type
Putty

Mr.
Dissolved Putty

Plastic Weld

Dolphin Putty

Spot
Putty

Bondo
Glazing Spot Putty

3M
Putty-Cote Dynatron Filler

LED UV Liquid Plastic Welding Pro Kit

InstaMorph
Moldable Plastic

Apoxie
Sculpt
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