I have an old undecorated black Athearn switcher body shell that I would like to modify and paint a light color. I know that some enamel primers will attack the plastic, and/or putties, and cause etching or melting. Unfortunately, I don't own an airbrush and can't afford a new one now after being laid off after 24 years of service with my company. I will be using rattle-can sprays and bottled paint. Could someone please recommend a primer which is safe for plastics? Thank you for your help. Glenn
glenn i use krylon sandable primmer on all plastic and had no problems. i don't about using it with putty.hope this helps jeff
Glenn, look out for any acrylic primer in a can. Lots of DIY and hobby shops sell it. Sorry, but I can't give you specific makes, being over here in UK, everything is different. Jon
Glenn I would be very careful in the use of off-the-shelf multipurpose "rattle can" sprays. A lot depends upon the specific plastic you're applying it to and then how you apply it. Most of my experience to date with these sprays has been with structures and I've had a few surprises with one of the Krylon cans and styrene. Had quite a bit of warpage. Rust Oleum makes a product they call Plastic Primer and I've experimented with it and had no problems to date. I bought it at a local Home Depot. The can says you can clean it with xylene but DONT'T!!! Xylene like acetone is a powerful solvent and will do harm to some plastics. I would experiment a lot before I'd try any out on a piece of rolling stock or loco. It would be good to know what kind of plastic your Athearn model is made from. George
Glenn, I've been using Plasti-kote primer, from auto parts stores. It was recommended to me by a professional painter, and I've had no problems using it on Athearn undecs. Gary
Glen, I also use the Plasti- Coat gray auto primer, I never have had a problem with it on any plastic or resin. It also will work on Squadron putty OK !
I too have used plain ole Krylon gray primer on plastic on many occasions without any problems. Also, I have a spray can of Floquil RR Colors primer that is a lighter gray. Only problem with the Floquil I've had is when I hand paint over it later, it tends to desolve (rehydrate??) into the new paint and distort it (doesn't much matter which brand). The only cure I've found for this is to let the primer cure for more than a week. Waiting that long sucks!
I've been using Walmart's "canned" primer for awhile. No probs & @ a buck a can it's cheaper than a lot of other stuff. I had to match the grey on a P2k Lackawanna E8 that I did nose surgery on. Rather than spend what amounts to over $500 a gal for the commercial stuff, I sprayed some of the WM into a Floquil bottle & airbrushed it w/my old Binks wren gun. Worked just fine & was a perfect match. Don
Glenn, I use the cheap primer grey spray paint from Walmart - $1.50, very thin application - works great IMHO!
does the plasti-coat primer work on atlas shells? are you getting that at napa, pep boys, auto zone or oreillys? is there a particular brand to look for? thanks!!!!! beast [ April 29, 2005, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: beast5420 ]
