Beware of Surface Primers

[becdecorbin]

The Revell Lost World raptors. One (with the broken tail tip) still has his coat of Tamiya surface primer. All things considered, I should just let that coat remain. Taking it off the intact raptor was more trouble than it was worth.

Only the idea that I was actually improving the overall look of the model made me want to turn to priming them in the first place. I think ordinary silver enamel paint would work just as well and cost a lot less than the Tamiya primer.


Not only are they expensive in any form--spray or bottle--but once they're on, they cling tenaciously and are a real chore to remove. After a bath in Simple Green, the ordinary paint sloughed off, but the primer held on.

I still have a bottle of Tamiya primer, but I would caution anyone to use the stuff only on vehicles and otherwise smooth surfaces to help fill in minor scuffs and scratches.

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[becdecorbin]

The intact raptor with clots of surface primer on the underside where scrubbing was more difficult. A big regret.

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[TAY666]

Try using purple power to strip paint / primer.

I always primer every kit. It's the best way to get paint to stick (especially when using acrylics)
Also, it is great for showing any seam work that needs attention.

I don't use expensive stuff though like Tamiya. The primer I use comes from Kmart and is just under $2 a can.
Covers pretty good, doesn't hide details, and works well for me.