AK Interactive USA offers a wide variety of useful products that help model makers create models that appear as realistic as possible. Products include items such as books, DVDs, painting, weathering and color modulation sets as well as a wide variety of detailing bits and pieces. AK Interactive USAwebsite claims that all of their products are of the highest quality and are the most current and innovative technology in the world.
Contents
I received for testing and review two of the four colors of AK Interactive USA Waterborne Polymer Surface Primers, Natural Gray and Black. AK’s website also list Dark Yellow and White as the other two colors. The primers are supplied in 60 ml twist off top bottles with squirt spout and they are odourless.
Product
My first test of the primers was a brush application being that both bottles stated that they were for both brush and Air Brush application. I brushed the primers onto a flat piece of extra plastic from a Mini-Art kit. The primer didn’t appear to adhere well to the smooth surface of the plastic, however after one day of drying time it appeared to have covered suitably enough to paint. My second test was to shoot the primers from my air brush at 15psi onto another flat piece plastic. The bottles state for thinning to use AK-712 Acrylic Thinner, but both were thin enough that it was not needed. Again, the primer did not appear to adhere very well and pooled in some spots. When it dried it looked as if it separated a bit, leaving some gray spots with the black color. My next test was to spray the primers on some kits that I was working on. This time I increased the pressure of the air brush to 30psi and again I sprayed it right out of the bottle with no thinning agent. Here, again the primer seamed to pool in some places, however the black covered much better than the gray. After a day of drying time the both colors looked ready for paint.
Conclusion
The primers are easy to use for both brush and air brush application. Clean up was easy and the primers had no odor. The black primer will be perfect for those who like to add black highlights under their paint and for tank tracks. The grey will be suitable for lighter color application such as ships and aircraft.
SUMMARY
Highs: Products are pre-thinned with no need to mix additional thinner unless desired easy use and clean up.Lows: Some pooling was noted.Verdict: Seems like a good product.
Our Thanks to AK Interactive USA! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
As a child I built mostly autos and truck models and what ever came from the Revell Model of the month club. Later on I switched to military planes in jr. high school. When I started to work several jobs and didn't have the time to build. I completely left the hobby around 1982. In 2008 I got back ...
Sorry Tom, I never had an opportunity to use Vallejo primers so I couldn't say. I really only ever used rattle can primer but I will start looking into some of the others now
I have recently used their Dark Yellow primer and I am not sure if I like it yet. Sprayed through a Paasche H, #5 tip, 20-25 psi to start. Tried it straight from the bottle, but it was very grainy. As it is primer, the edges of the pattern arent critical, but I use it as an indicator of the viscosity and it was very rough. I thinned it with the appropriate AK thinner and it improved the spray pattern, but it still looked splotchy and appeared on the verge of fish-eye. I let the sample (white plastic sheet painted with Tamiya fine surface grey) dry overnight and it did smooth out a bit more. Adhesion was excellent...when "attacked" with 3M blue tape, it did not chip or lift.
All that being said, I have to admit that I am new to water-based paints and it could be that my technique (being based on 40+ years of shooting solvent based enamels) needs considerable revision.
I just picked up the Dark Yellow and Black to go with the Gray I already had. Still just experimenting with them, but they do seem to lay down nicely with a brush. One thing I do like is that they are sandable whereas Vallejo primers are not. Good for doing check up work. One thing I've noticed with both brands is that whatever "primer" ingredient they contain seems to separate from the paint while in my tray. Need to keep stirring. And I also noticed that the Gray is noticeably grainy, but dries nice and smooth.
Kimmo
Just a quick update guys thinned Tamyia paint sprayed on with an airbrush covered well with both the black, on the interior and the gray, on the outside
For what it's worth, I haven't had a problem with any of the primer combos I've used. I have Grey, Black and Dark Yellow. I've brushed Vallejos on no problem. Have you tried different thinning ratios with the Vallejos? Based on your oil and water comment, I'd say the paint is being applied too thin. The only other thing that comes to mind is that the primer hasn't cured and is still leeching.
Kimmo
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