Airbrush Primer?

[Macklin]

I don't know much about airbrushing, so forgive me if this is a stupid question.

Is there such a thing as primer for airbrushing? I see lots of acrylic paints and never any mention of primer. Is it even needed?

I have a couple of resin kits I'd like to put together, but I've never been able to get a smooth finish from a spray can. I've practiced some with the airbrush and get fantastic results, but I've always been told to prime before painting.

 

[The 48th Ronin]

Not a stupid question at all...

There may be others with more info and/or experience who can chime in, but I personally know of one type of airbrush primer - the brand is Gunze Sangyo (from Japan) and it's called "Mr. Surfacer 1000." I think there are a couple other "grades" (1500 or 2000?), and there is also "Mr. Resin Primer Surfacer," which I found to be a bit thicker than the 1000. I'm not sure if the Mr. Resin is strictly meant for use on resin kits, or if the "resin" denotes its higher viscosity... all I know is that they both work great.

Any decent hobbyshop should carry Gunze Sangyo, and the Mr. Surfacers run about $5 - $6 for a 40 ml jar.

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>(Macklin @ Sep 15 2006, 01:18 AM) [snapback]1320468[/snapback]</div>

I don't know much about airbrushing, so forgive me if this is a stupid question.

Is there such a thing as primer for airbrushing? I see lots of acrylic paints and never any mention of primer. Is it even needed?

I have a couple of resin kits I'd like to put together, but I've never been able to get a smooth finish from a spray can. I've practiced some with the airbrush and get fantastic results, but I've always been told to prime before painting.
[/b]

In all honesty, just use regular old primer like duplicolor or krylon. If you're not getting a smooth finish it could be a couple of things:

1) Surface needs more prep work - i.e. sanding
2) You're holding the spray can too far from the surface. The paint starts to clump before it gets to the surface of the resin
3) temperature is either too hot or too cold or the humidity is too high. Any of those will cause poor paint adhesion

Make sure you shake the can for at least 2 minutes. You never know how long those things sit on the shelf. Also turn the can upside down to clear out the nozzle both before and after spraying.

I've never come across a problem that required specialized primer.

-Fred

 

[Macklin]

Maybe it's psychological. I tend to rush things when working with a spray can. I focus more when using a presicion tool, such as an airbrush.

I guess I'm just resolved to go with what works best.

Thanks for the tip, Ronin. Sadly there isn't a decent hobby shop within 150 miles of where I live. Looks like I'll be ordering online.

 

[kdawg1]

I use auto primer on all my resin kits. If need be wet sand before your base coat of color. It works great I even use it on my styrene kits never had any problems and the paints all adhere very good.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

I also have used auto primer on all my resin projects (not that Ive had a lot mind you) and Ive never had a problem.