Enamels as a primer on metal figures??

[Chrisr]

As a very spasmodic figure painter (20 completed in 52 years ), plus several that have been through the Dettol bath, and await my less than deft hand, I am seeking advice from those who are more experienced in the hobby.

Of late I am making a greater effort (actually completed 4 in the last twelve months ) and have tried different painting mediums and techniques. I have settled on oils and water soluble oils, as my efforts at acrylics are less than satisfying. Currently I am priming metal figures, then blocking in the colours with enamels, and finishing with water soluble oils or oils (ie three layers). I read years ago that one reason for priming metal figures was that oils interact with white metal and leads to problems. Hence, my understanding is that you must use a primer first when painting with oils.

While I prime resin figures with enamels, can I do the same with metal figures, or being spirit based does it also lead to problems with white metal?
Regards
Chris

 

[Banjer]

I suspect you can leave out the primer coat, I have been painting metal with oil paint for over 40 years and had no problems without priming.
I have never had paint attack the metal and I have painted hundreds of models.

I now prime because it is so easy to do with an aerosol or an airbrush so why not do it? Priming brings out the detail and provides a good solid base to work on.

I used to base coat with enamels but the quality of them is so poor now I undercoat with acrylics, then finish with oils.

Bill

 

[Chrisr]

I used to base coat with enamels but the quality of them is so poor now I undercoat with acrylics, then finish with oils.

Bill

Many thanks Bill. Your advice is much appreciated. If I may, what is the ratio of water to acrylic you use for the base coat? I found with a thin coat I had difficult getting an even spread on the figure using acrylics as a base coat.
Regards
Chris

 

[Banjer]

I tend to use Vallejo model air as they are already diluted. I am, however, by no means an expert on acrylics.
One trick I have learned when building up layers is to use a small hairdryer to speed up drying between coats.

Bill

 

[theBaron]

I prime everything, including my metal figures. Priming helps increase the odds of good adhesion for your finish coats, as well as providing a step in which you can inspect the surface more closely and find flaws that you might otherwise have missed.

As far as using an enamel primer goes, though I usually use Tamiya's Fine Surface Primer, which is a lacquer-based product; and I use some automotive primers occasionally, also lacquer-based; I also use Army Painter's matte black enamel as a primer. It cures rock-hard, and there are times when I want a black undercoat that not only promotes adhesion, but will hold up to specific weathering techniques later in the finishing process.

Most of my finish colors are water-based acrylics. Water-based acrylics don't generally adhere as well to the bare surface as enamels or lacquers do, and a primer definitely helps them adhere. It provides a surface with good "tooth" for those paints. Enamels and lacquers are hot enough chemically that they will adhere to resin and styrene well enough on their own, but I prime those materials for any medium, as a matter of practice.

Also, we should always note that "acrylic" doesn't mean "water-based" or "water-soluable". It refers to the chemistry of the carrier component of the liquid, and it can be water-based, an enamel, lacquer-based, or alcohol-based (eg, Tamiya's acrylics). That tells use what to use as a solvent for best results.

Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad

 

[Chrisr]

Many thanks Brad. I was thinking of reducing the number of layers, but both Bill's and your advice re primers makes good sense.
regards
Chris

 

[theBaron]

Sure thing! Yes, buildup and covering fine detail is always a concern, with figures as with scale models. It doesn't take much for a good primer coat, either.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Chrisr]

Thank you for your response to my question Bill.
Regards
Chris

 

[Ferris]

I brush paint a base coat of slightly thinned light grey enamel paint over metal figures. Using the brush gives me a feel for the shape and surfaces of the figure, nd gives good bite for the acrylics.
Same for resin figures actually.

Cheers
Adrian

 

[Chrisr]

Thank you Adrian.
Regards
Chris