Gazzas Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 HI everyone, I've bought my first set of AK acrylics and I'm wondering about priming. Can I get by without it, or will I suffer terrible paint lift everywhere I paint? Thanks for your thoughts, Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 (edited) I can't speak for the AK stuff but when I use the Tamiya primer and the testors acrylics they seem to stick a heck of a lot better than they did not having used primer on the plastic. I would imagine AK is probably going to be the same result. Edited May 12, 2018 by The Dude Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxim Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 From my experience I find a primer helps.One reason I returned to enamels as I don't like using primers as it hides detail and I like to spray very thin coats of paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon417 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 i used AK air with Badger stylrenz primer (black). Works pretty well for me. Had a bit lift on one spot once (I think the plastic wasn't clean when i put the primer down) lifted all the way to bare plastic (using maketar masks). Everywhere else was perfect. Two builds that was the only problem I ran into. Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 In my experience, don't use the Spanish acrylics (AK, Ammo MiG, Vallejo) unless you prime first. Tamiya is about the only acrylic that I don't feel that I have to prime first. Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Gaz I'm old school and never ever shoot color cotes without primer. The paint will bond way better to primer then to plastic and lessen of a tendency to lift when removing any type of masking tape. I will admit to shooting without primer on interior parts and assemblies such as the front office as I'm careful not to build up the layers. I've gone the full route over the decades from enamels to acrylics to lacquers, which I now shoot 90% of the time and always use the appropriate primer. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share Posted May 13, 2018 Guys, Thank you for the helpful replies. I don't generally buy paint sets, but I decided to take the plunge as a few of the colors are ones that I really have trouble getting right. I was hoping that they might rival Tamiya for strength and adhesion. Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Gaz Having shot both AK and Tamiya, I would rank Tamiya right behind true lacquers in strength and adhesion and ahead of AK in the same departments. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Always prime with Vallejo, AK, or any true acrylic. Tamiya are a little hot because they have a strong solvent content and grip better. Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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