MajorB | 14 Feb 2016 6:34 a.m. PST |
Since most paint is translucent, I find that a primer coat of Humbrol matt white helps to bring out the colours better. |
ZULUPAUL | 14 Feb 2016 6:40 a.m. PST |
I always prime my plastic figures. I use white brush on acrylic paint. |
Cold Steel | 14 Feb 2016 6:41 a.m. PST |
Make sure you thoroughly clean the plastic with dish soap and warm water to remove the oil-based mold release agent. That said, I always primer metal and plastic. |
MajorB | 14 Feb 2016 6:43 a.m. PST |
But you do that for color- not to help the paint adhere? well, I have never had any problems with paint flaking off, so I don't know whether it helps the paint adhere or not. |
Beowulf | 14 Feb 2016 8:22 a.m. PST |
There is no need to prime plastics. Paint will adhere just fine. |
JimDuncanUK | 14 Feb 2016 8:43 a.m. PST |
Just wash in warm soapy water, dry and paint the basecoat on directly. You should only need to white undercoat if you are painting a brightly coloured figure or black undercoat if that is your thing. I normally go straight onto a suitable basecoat or dominant colour if there is one. Miss out on the washing if the figures are metal. |
Extra Crispy | 14 Feb 2016 8:59 a.m. PST |
I find "priming" has nothing to do with adhesion. When I started out I didn't prime metal and I have never had a flaking problem. 2 or 3 coats of DullCoat seems t o take care of that. |
Mugwump | 14 Feb 2016 9:00 a.m. PST |
For acrylics yes, enamels will bite and hold in plastics. Be sure to wash off mold release first in any case. |
Big Red | 14 Feb 2016 9:03 a.m. PST |
I prime using Krylon white spray primer. Resin models and soft plastic require washing to remove the mold release but do hard plastic need/require washing too? |
JimDuncanUK | 14 Feb 2016 9:17 a.m. PST |
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Martin Rapier | 14 Feb 2016 9:38 a.m. PST |
For hard plastic figures and vehicles, I just paint them. You don't need to wash them, prime them or anything else (apart from stick them together). Just slap that paint on. I don't bother washing resin either, although it might need an undercoat. Soft plastic figures, wash. Like Tim, I've been doing this a very long time (late 60s). |
Yourbitterpill | 14 Feb 2016 9:56 a.m. PST |
Yes, you do need to both wash and prime plastic models, especially if you are handling them like a gaming piece. Primer provides a "ground" – smoothes out tiny imperfections, gives a single even color foundation, and gives "tooth" for paint to adhere to. Acrylic paint works via polymerization, basically the paint forming chemical bonds as it cures. Acrylic paint cannot adhere to metal or plastic, spray or brush primers form a strong surface that paint is able to adhere to. And fully cured acrylic paint- while tough – cannot withstand constant stressors associated with handling and storage without breaking, this is why users who don't properly prime like Extra Crispy experience lose of adhesion and flaking. A fine artist wouldn't paint without priming their canvas, a good carpenter wouldn't build a house without a foundation; why not take the extra time to do it right? |
wrgmr1 | 14 Feb 2016 10:02 a.m. PST |
I've never washed plastics or resins, but I do prime both. Never had a problem. |
coopman | 14 Feb 2016 11:02 a.m. PST |
My unwashed Perry WotR figures came out fine. |
Garand | 14 Feb 2016 11:28 a.m. PST |
I wouldn't be so fast as to say paint will adhere to plastic with no qualifiers. It depends on the paint. I've found that if you use paints designed for use with plastic models (like paints from Testors or Gunze) you don't necessarily need to prime. But if you are using FREX artists acrylics, priming is necessary. I've also been building plastic models for 30 years. I also prime models even if I am using Tamiya paint (some clearcoats will cause it to wrinkle unless I use a primer). Damon. |
jowady | 14 Feb 2016 11:37 a.m. PST |
I've been working in styrene since 1964. I actually still have my first kit which went through a lot of playtime, a dog attack and 6 moves. I have never washed a kit, never primed a kit and have never had paint flake off. |
CeruLucifus | 14 Feb 2016 12:50 p.m. PST |
Yes prime everything. Washing first doesn't hurt and can help. |
f u u f n f | 14 Feb 2016 1:46 p.m. PST |
Most hard plastics don't require or use a mold release. So don't require a wash. A lot of people moved from using soft plastic which does require a mold release and so need washing and so they are just in the habit of doing so. Priming is a matter of taste and based on the brand of paints used. When I used Games Workshop paints I never primed plastics or metals and never had a problem. But these days I use cheap craft store paints and these don't adhere well without a coat to stick to. |
Weasel | 14 Feb 2016 2:08 p.m. PST |
With hard plastic, it's not needed but i tend to do it anyways, both out of habit and since it influences the final colours. |
bong67 | 15 Feb 2016 6:21 a.m. PST |
Hi, I don't wash or prime hard plastic and it makes no difference to the adhesion of the main colours. Modeller's acrylics adhere very well to hard plastic so priming isn't necessary. All the best, George. |
GildasFacit | 15 Feb 2016 7:57 a.m. PST |
So basically the answer is yes, no AND sometimes. Never ask wargamers a simple question. |
basileus66 | 15 Feb 2016 3:52 p.m. PST |
I do prime my figs. Find it easier to paint that way. |
snurl1 | 15 Feb 2016 8:09 p.m. PST |
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Simo Hayha | 16 Feb 2016 8:50 p.m. PST |
wash and prime. Its probably unnecessary if you are using enamels. primer helps with adhesion. it has stronger binders.one should note that I never varnish my figures and find that step to be a waste |