Author: Simulacrum  <nub>    99.67.112.42 Use this link if you want to link to this message and its entire thread of discussion. Post a Msg
Date: 2/20/2021 12:08:55 PM
Subject: My search for a primer

Thanks to modeling forum evangelizing, Badger Stynylrez has a reputation as a virtually flawless acrylic polyurethane primer. My own experience is mixed. The black color is excellent. It dries quickly and self-levels extremely well. The gray is much the same with the caveat that it's too dark. The white (linked above) is utterly worthless. Its coverage is weak. When it's not running, it produces massive gouts on plastic surfaces and clogs Badger's own recommended Patriot 105 airbrush. Totally useless product.

The best all-around white primer I've found is made by Tamiya. It covers well, goes on evenly, dries quickly, and leaves airbrushes perfectly clean because it comes in a can. Its only drawback, assuming you may be looking for a water-based acrylic, is that it's a lacquer. Good ventilation and a mask are recommended. It has a strong smell, which some people consider a "stink," but I don't mind it.

As a post-script, it's also popular on modeling forums to condemn Vallejo's primers for its long drying time and rubbery finish, which makes sanding difficult. My own experience is that Vallejo makes an excellent acrylic primer. To me, it has the good qualities of Stynylrez, clumps less, covers more evenly, and is not as prone to gum up an airbrush. The rubbery finish is all but unavoidable but can be mitigated by allowing the product to dry for at least 24 hours. It's a good alternative to Stynylrez if you don't want to use a lacquer.

The point of all this is that every community is full of poo when it comes to popular norms. You must recur to Baconian inductive testing to determine the truth. Our conclusion, then, is that model-building is about truth. Justice and the American way will be covered in future discussions.