To do or not to do.

[Big_Daddy]

I'm new to the site and have lots of questions. I'm sure if I dug around enough I could find the answers but I don't have much time at night to do that, exercise and build models. So my first question is ................ To primer or not to primer? And why.    

[NARSES2]

Well I prime resin kits but not always plastic ones.

Why ? Because as well as preparing the surface for painting it also shows up flaws in the filling/sanding process that might need fixing. On resin kits it's amazing how many tiny pin holes you can miss unless you prime first. Since I've started using acrylics I find priming plastic beneficial when it comes to the number of finishing coats a model needs - but I hand paint.

Chris

BTW your names not Shirley is it ? (Long gone UK wrestler for those "over there" - Shirley Crabtree aka "Big Daddy")

[nev]

100% yes.

Priming my models provided a quantum leap in the quality of my kits (from poor to average!    ).

Like Chris says, it shows up any flaws in your model that need filling, smoothing etc, and it acts as base for your paint to cling onto.  I brush paint, with acrylics where possible, and paint goes on much better over a coat of primer.

If you're in the UK, Halfords Grey/White Primer is superb stuff.

[Hobbes]

In the few experiments I've done with primer, the primer tended to obscure the surface detail on the model as well as any flaws.  

[gooberliberation]

i do just fine without primer, but if ive had to do a lot of bodywork i.e. puttying and sanding, i spray on a coat of mr surfacer 1000 to check for flaws.

[Big_Daddy]

Thanks guys! My last project I primered and after painting (with brush) I noticed a lot of detail was gone, thats why I asked. I now have an airbrush so I think I will just do one with and one with out and see what happeneds.

[Big_Daddy]

Do you prime everything while its on the trees or just the bodys and wings? Or what?

[Big_Daddy]

Thanks! I'm going to go restart a SR-71 I started months ago. Let me ask this, it's black already, would you paint it or just leave it?

[Big_Daddy]

I just found some pics, I think I will paint it.

[gooberliberation]

Painting is usually a good idea, if there are seams and gaps you want to cover up. It also makes for a more realistic finish. On the plus side, black plastic means you can get away with missing a spot or two.

[Big_Daddy]

I'm going to paint! Do you guys paint after you get it together or in in pieces (body)?

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Yep that sounds right to me too !

Just ripped the masking off my Viggen this evening before coming to work. Which brings me to this tip.... NEVER, NEVER, NEVER take the masking off your latest masterpiece before the paint is FULLY dry/hard, no matter how GREAT the temptation.

I H-G

[Big_Daddy]

Small bits and interiors get painted first, kit goes together, sanded, filled, sanded again then primed.  More sanding/filling/sanding.  Another coat of primer then paint.  

And in that order.

Thanks guys that really helps! I just used the green stuff on my cracks    and will wait 30 for it to dry and start sanding. I'm practicing on the sr-71's D-21 drone. Have any of you seen anyone build it with it on top of the plane?