Ideal Primer For Nmf

[kitnut617]

What's the most ideal primer if you are painting a NMF on a model, with the base plastic being a sort of very light blue/grey colour.

Robert

[Brian da Basher]

I use acrylics and for my NMF, I just paint Model Masters Steel right on the bare plastic. The experts will tell you that's not the best way to go, but I've had good results.

Tamiya makes a gray primer that comes in a rattle can I hear is pretty good. If you're brush painting by hand, any compatable light gray color will do the trick.

I hope this helps.
Brian da Basher

[Daryl J.]

It is fine to spray bare plastic provided little blemishes and scratches are brought to an even texture and sheen with the surrounding plastic.    A primer, if left rough, can lead to a very matte NMF finish that looks more like a silvery metallic grey.

A perennial favorite is Floquil's Old Silver or, in acrylic form, Polly Scale's Old Silver from the model railroad side of the hobby.   The pigment is exceedingly finely ground making a great scale "metal" surface.     Hopefully, if I can get my new camera to mesh with my work computer where there's high speed connectivity, you'll get to see a Val in the Spat Build using Old Silver.


NMF is pretty unforgiving   but sure looks great when done well.


Daryl

[kitnut617]

Thanks guys,  I've read sometime ago on ARC I think, that someone recommended gloss black !  I tried that on a model and it didn't come out very good at all.  I think I have to go with a primer as I will have to use quite a bit of putty and Mr.Surfacer on my CG/CSAR build project.

Robert

[Radish]

The gloss black is for the Alclad finish that's available. Looks great, but is expensive and can be a buggar to use.

I spray some Halfords paint directly to the plastic.....there's many variations of silver paint out there so I use different sorts (not on one model though) to vary the effect. My favourite is Pearl Grey...a metallic silvery-grey...mostly silver.

[noxioux]

I've used the SNJ metalizer on two different projects (1/48 Trumpeter Su-15, and a 1/48 Revellogram B-58), both times spraying the stuff without primer.  However, prior to painting, I spent many hours polishing the surfaces going from 600, to 1500, then 2000 grit, and finally using a 3M buffing compound.  I got good results, and could've done better if I'd been more patient.

I don't think it matters so much what you spray, or what primer you use, but you just really need to take the time to make all of the surfaces as smooth and finely polished as possible.

[Leigh]

Alclad Grey pimer is really really nice, but beware it is very hot, I left the top off my airbrush cup and spilled it and it melted a wing!

[Mossie]

Never done an NMF finish before, but I found out by accident that pure white spirit primes a styrene surface very nicely for enamels.  I spilled some spirit, mopped it up quickly but didn't spot that it got under a sprue I had by the bench for about 20 minutes or so.  It gave a very nice surface to paint on.  I've taken to soaking a rag & in the stuff & dabbing it on liberally before painting & letting dry off.  Watch out though, as it can attack liquid poly so don't go too crazy.

[kitnut617]

Thanks again everyone.

Robert

[SinUnNombre]

If I can put my late $.02 in on this thread...

For my NMF finished I use my regular Krylon gray primer to check for flaws. Then a put a good, even coat of gloss black. Then Krylon "Chrome" spray paint. A little wet buff and it looks great.

Jon

[viper29_ca]

The only thing in the Alclad line that recommends the gloss black primer is the Chrome and one of their Aluminum colors (whose name escapes me).

I have used different Alclad colors on stuff and never had a problem using them. They are much more resistant to handling than the MM Metalizers are.

I stripped and redid the chrome on a Tamiya motorcycle with the Alclad chrome, with a base of Humberol Gloss Black, and the chrome came out beautifully. So you don't have to use the Alclad Gloss Black.