Is Priming Necessary before painting?

When you start customizing and painting models, you would come to a point where you will be introduced to primers. Buying a primer is as important as buying the paint. In this article, we would explain why and talk about priming and if it is really necessary before painting.

Do you need to prime models before painting? Priming is a simple but necessary step in the painting process. You need to prime models before painting because it would serve as the bridge between the surface and the paint. Without any primer, imperfections such as cracks and uneven paint would more likely happen.

We are going to talk about reasons why you should prime a model. Furthermore, I would explain what would happen if you decided not to use any primer. Before that, if you’re into customizing, you might like my other article where I talked about customizing your model. I think it is a good read after this article. Here it is: Can I make my own custom car?

Do you need to prime models before painting?

The “Primer” word is taken from the Latin language word, “Primus”, which means, first, and this is definitely a noun, not a verb.

However, a good amount of people confuses the usage of this word and considers it as a verb.

Let us understand the priming concept.

Priming is considered a significant aspect with regard to model painting. It enhances paint’s adherence capability whereby it establishes the base for the selected color of your miniature models.

It is also a nice option to opt for as it eases the work for you which is needed afterward i.e., the paint job.

Generally, primer performs the same job which an initial paint coat will do on any respective material be it resin, metal, or plastic except that it needs to be done first.

Resin diecasts make highly detailed models compared to traditional ones. If you are interested in resin diecasts, you may check this article that talks about resin diecasts: Are Resin Diecasts Worth it?

Primer’s principal task is to assist the miniature models in inhibiting paint layers absorption which is to be followed in the end process.

The reason is simple.

The model’s surface is actually not really good at absorbing paint layers. But it is good in absorbing primers.

Then, the primer will be the one that will stick to the paint because it does the job better.

Doing this will prevent uneven tones and bubbles in the painting process. Bubbles actually come from paint not sticking to the model’s surface.

Likewise, the primer will set out as the models’ surface for applying paint layers.

Before applying anything to your model, you must first need to prepare the model’s surface.

That preparation is what a primer is all about.

Once your model’s surface is ready to accept prime or paint, you have to decide which option to consider.

In order to accept any paint layer, a primer is used which is also a type of specific paint for preparing models’ surfaces to apply paint directly and seamlessly.

Developing or customizing various miniature models requires a lot of effort, precision, and details that go into the system of creating the requisite shapes and curvatures.

However, these tiny models do have many things to consider in which they are needed to be clean before applying anything onto them.

Dirt and dust can actually hurt the quality of your finished product as it will be obvious once the painting job is finished.

Hence, the surfaces would be tidy for sure to apply any prime, undercoat, or paint.

Some dirt can actually be cleaned by a primer.

A primer helps the models getting grease‐free and any other additional grains that might cause panic later on.

Reasons why you need to prime models before painting

There are three reasons why you need to prime a model before painting. First, it would serve as the bridge or the link between your model and the paint. Second is it does a remarkable job in adhering to each of those leading to a perfect finish. Third, it helps the paint dry quicker.

There are several reasons for which you always need to prime your models before applying any paint layer.

One of the foremost and strongest reasons for priming your models is that it acts as a bridge.

It helps the granular surfaces of the miniature models to be toned down and seamless for the surface to accept the paint layer in a quick manner while enhancing the stickiness of the paint layer.

Usually, priming layers are used by simply holding the spray can at a distance of about 10 inches from your model and sweeping it slowly to form thin but strong layers onto the model’s surface.

This thin layer is highly beneficial for the model’s long‐lasting impression on the buyer.

The second important reason for priming your models is that it will intensify the final finish of the models and the decals will look more prominent by not obscuring the fine details on your miniature models.

Since the priming layer needs to be thin by all means, the paint layer will strengthen the stickiness onto the primed surfaces of your models.

A good-quality primer will definitely deliver a uniform color tone to your entire model.

Therefore, you can safely say that priming your model actually bettered the model appearance which is the most striking factor in terms of customer perception of product quality.

The priming job will fine‐tune the model’s outlook and will hinder paint’s absorption, thereby resulting in a
more fascinating model.

Lastly, the drying times are going to be quicker after applying primer to your models.

If the drying time will be more, it will be bad for your miniature models due to the granular lining exterior after the paint is applied.

The prime layer(s) will enhance models’ stability and a high unified bond with the surfaces.

It means that spraying paint onto the primed models will allow the paint to dry and set rapidly without forming the
shell.

Hence, no granular lining will be visible afterward which can be the case if we do not apply prime to our models beforehand.

What happens if you don’t prime before painting?

If you don’t prime before painting, there will be nothing that acts as the bridge between the model and the paint. This would cause more uneven tone color, cracks, and imperfections on the final product. Furthermore, the paint wouldn’t dry fast leading to granular linings on the surface.

As priming helps paint layers’ adhesiveness to the miniature model’s surfaces, you cannot get the same results in the absence of priming your models.

For tons of individuals within the modeling industry, priming models are taken into account as a requirement and a must-do act before applying any paint layer.

They know very well the after-effects without applying the prime layer.

But one must be vigilant in putting a skinny layer rather than a thick layer for creating the model base more robust and sturdier.

Without using primer on your miniature models, the paint will form a shell around your painted model and it will not adhere to the surface properly.

This suggests that primer acts as intermediary support between your miniature model and the paint layer.

If for any odd reason, your painted model will get dropped from a particular height, cracks are going to be easily visible due to the paint layer’s bad adherence level onto the model’s surface and it could literally peel off in chunks.

Priming models help the highest layer of paint to reinforce stickiness and therefore the paint layer set better onto your primed model.

It also means without using primer on your miniature models, you are definitely risking the after-sale and therefore the customers might return your product or do not come.

The looks of your miniature models are going to be terrible in the absence of prime. Hence, priming models is considered a secure bet while knowing the fierce competition in plastic models.

It establishes the strong relationship between the model’s surface and the layers of paint for which the survival period
increases.

Additionally, the greasy material on any model can be easily escaped using priming for better paint grip.