I saw the related post on primers but it doesn't answer my specific question so I'm doing a new one. I live in Connec ticut. Tamiya primer has been pretty much unavailable for some time here and with the disaster in Japan I don't see that changing, and I'm on my last can of grey. Can someone give me some feedback on what might be a good substitute for the Tamiya light colored primers that is available in the US? Thank you.

If you have an airbrush, the Vallejo Urethane primers are great, and in most respects better than the Tamiya.

1. It is acrylic vs lacquer, IE less smell and easier cleanup
2. It is airbrushable which means more control over the primer going on your kit, and less overspray = less mess, and less product used.
3. It is cheaper than Tamiya.

If you are stuck on using Tamiya products they are supposed to be back on the North American market mid to late April, I don't forsee the earthquake in Japan effecting that schedule because frankly Tamiya products haven't been manufactured in Japan for quite some time. Mind you their paint may still be manufactured their, but their kits have been coming from their factory in the Philippines for quite some time.

Bill,
Although Tamiya makes a fine primer, I would agree with Scott in regards to Vallejo Primers.
Scott has listed all of the advantages and they are significant.
If Tamiya is a must for your aplication, try H.Q. Hobiies in Milford CT & ask for Randy. I believe currently has a case in stock.

Bill;

Ever try Floquil RR Colors enamels? I use various "blacks" and also light shades as both primer and pre-shading coats. Floquil RR is readily thinned with various enamel thinners and other products, and very sprayable (if that's a correct and legit word). The pigments are super fine (meaning least impact on detail crispness), the coat is very fine and slightly satin, and these paints adhere very strongly to all sorts of media (they are originally intended for the model RR industry and brass work, etc.).

Just another idea to consider!

Bob

I agree with Scott and Ian.

Valleyo primer is the only "alternative" to Tamiya primer....An alternative which actually is going to become the first choice in my opinion

I love Tamiya products and i believe that theyr primer is incredible good , but the fact that you can apply it just with a spray can is a rather big issue in my humble opinion, because is hard to controle it in a right way. I think you can use it without problems if you have to cover a simply shape with few details on it, such as aircraft fuselage or car bodies. Otherwise if you need to paint a hull plenty of details, using a spray can, you have a high risk to "drown" all them, even if you are very careful

Regarding the product avalaibility, I think that not just the kits are made out of the japan. They have branches in Philippine, Honk Kong, Usa and Germany
Over half of Tamiya's products are manufactured in the Philippines. Maybe in Japan there's just the company haedquarter


regards

Hi

If you want a good primer in a spray can, justy use one from your local auto supplier, most auto paints sold in cans are now acrylic based and do a very good job when used to paint models, even the ones sold in your local $ store will be good for models as well.

Paul

Thanks for the feedback. Will probably duck down to see Randy and the puppies; not surprised he's been hoarding the stuff. One reason I'm concerned is that I was at a show this weekend and was told that Tamiya's paint factory is in Japan and was at least somewhat affected by the earthquake. The Vallejo sounds interesting; I haven't had great luck with their stuff but no reason not to try again.