Hello everyone!

Got one for all you "veterans" out there.

I've been struggling with painting some inexpensive kits and have run into a few problems. I didn't prime anything and now my paint won't grab. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to a good priming product for general use, i.e. styrene or resin? I would like to avoid the costly "hobby specialty store" type brands as the best I can do in my area is Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart. Is there a good, readily available product that would fit the bill for AFV's and figures??

Part 2 is I'm trying to establish a "process" for painting. Here's what I've come up with so far and would like it to be "critiqued":

Step 1 - Prime
Step 2 - Base Coat
Step 3 - Seal with semi-gloss varnish?? (I'm unclear here)
Step 4 - Washes
Step 5 - Drybrush
Step 6 - Weather

Is this about right? I look forward to your responses!!

Joe

Hey Joe! Sorry, I just known the "hobby specialty store" type brands primers, but i can help you on your painting process:
1-Prime
2-Pre Shading the panels
3-Base Coat
4-Gloss coat-to prepare for decals and washes
5-Matt coat-to make the drybrush and pastels
Hope it helps you!
Heres what i achieved using these simple steps:

Just one more thing to add. Before priming, be sure to wash the model with soapy water, especially if it's resin. (which should have been washed even before gluing)
This step will get rid of the oils from your fingers from the building, and also clean the release agents from the kit used in the molds.

What's the technical reason for putting on a gloss coat for decals? Are there some substances that would harm the base coat when putting on the decals? Is a coat of Future essentially the same as Micro Set as far as decals go?

The Future allows the decals to stick on the model without silvering. Basically, a glossy surface (Future) is microscopically flat, thus eliminating the air bubbles that cause decal silvering. If your subject is supposed to have a flat finish, you can spray on some matt varnish after.

Future also acts as a tough shield to protect the finish from the washes and other weathering you're going to put on the model. Hey, if it's tough enough for floors, it's tough enough for our models!

Hope this helps!

Nope, this is to avoid "silvering". I you put a gloss coating on your surface and then the decal, it makes it easier to avoid trapped air bubbles that cause "silvering". Silvering is the effect caused by the decal carrier film if it has air bubbles underneath.

I prefer to paint markings instead of using decals. If you use paint masks it isn't that difficult.

Kris

Thanks guys! Judging from all the uses it has that stuff sounds almost magical but it all makes sense now.