What's the best primer for photo etch, please?

[Citadelgrad]

I am having a lot of trouble getting paint to stick to the PE on my P47, specifically the large (relatively) intercooler doors, the paint just brushes off and if I have to mask, forget it.  

 

Can I use a metal primer that etches?  Anything else stick?  Tamiya fine?

 

Losing my mind here.  

[Out2gtcha]

I've had success using both Mr. Color thinner (both leveling and regular) as well as Tamiya Fine white/gray over PE parts.  The secret here is prep; just make sure your PE is slightly etched if possible so the primer has something to bite onto, and after that, using something like lacquer thinner or 91% alcohol to clean the bare PE before priming. 

[Woody V]

Three words - Self Etching Primer.

Run, don't walk to your nearest auto-parts store.

[Bob MDC]

My go to is Mr Hobby Metal Primer in a can then finished with Mr Surface Primer 1500 also in a can. All our metal masters we receive are treated this way

 

 

Bob

[Treehugger]

I think a lot of people tend to go over their photo etch fret sheet with a sanding sponge or something to ever so slightly roughen up the surface to make paint stick better. I have yet to try this myself.

 

Btw, I think I've learned that, once some photo etch is airbrushed with primer, I have to let it go hard, otherwise, if a sanding stick touches the edges, the paint might start partially flaking off and wiggling, half stuck to the surface.

[gwana]

On 9/8/2021 at 7:46 AM, Archer Fine Transfers said:

Three words - Self Etching Primer.

Run, don't walk to your nearest auto-parts store.

This, all day long. Ace Hardware even has actual zinc chromate etching primer in green and yellow. I just wouldn't recommend decanting it and using it in your airbrush.

[Radub]

Any primer that clearly says "primer for non-ferrous metals" should work. Primers such as MrSurfacer are generic and not specifically intended for metal. 

Radu

[Helmsman]

[bdthoresen]

I will second what the Helmsman said, this stuff is great. The key is minimal brush strokes, and let it be. Paint seems to stick well after this. The only limitation I can see is fine p.e. mesh detail. If you apply too much, it will fill the screens….but a small price to pay for its qualities. I have heard of folks airbrushing it on complex brass assemblies before attaching said details to their models, but I have not tried it myself…..

 

Thor    

On 9/13/2021 at 11:29 AM, Helmsman said: