Model Car List
57 Chevy Project

Let me preface this by stating that primering and painting a model has as many different methods and styles as there are modelers out there who are using primer and paint. Airbrush or aerosol cans, enamels or lacquers..... whatever you are accustomed to and comfortable using then go ahead and use it. I will describe here and in the next lesson my method and mediums for applying automotive primer and lacquer. I use automotive lacquer almost exclusively for car bodies for three major reasons: #1 - You can work faster due to quick drying time, #2 - You can get exact matches of paint colors of 1:1 cars, #3 - It produces a durable shine that outperforms any hobby paint. If you are experienced in using lacquers or are planning on trying it now for the first time then here we go, otherwise use whatever paint you choose but use it as you know how because directions in these steps may not apply to what materials you are working with.

The primer I use is DuPont Variprime 615S thinned with Variprime 616S Converter mixed at about a 4 : 6 ratio sprayed through a Paasche VL airbrush with a #3 tip and #3 needle. Shake the primer well before each use as settling occurs quickly. Always keep the work area properly ventilated and use a chemical cartridge face mask if necessary. These chemicals are toxic and highly flammable.

Start by washing the parts to be painted with dishwashing soap to remove mold release agent from the surface. Dry with a soft towel including the underside of surfaces to be primered. Large parts like the body I mount with masking tape to a bent coat hanger, smaller parts I mount to masking tape, glued to sprues, or held with clamps depending on how much of the surface is to be sprayed. The hood and deck lid I glued to a kit sprue affixed to areas that will not be painted body color. Both deck lid hinges were glued to a kit sprue affixed to the ends that will be hidden under the body. The spare wheel and firewall were mounted to masking tape.

Once mounted, I brush off all the pieces to remove small dust particles that may have been attracted while handling and I'm ready to spray. When I airbrush Variprime I usually apply 1 light to moderate coat to start with followed immediately by a heavier coat. You will notice the first coat is already dry by the time you are applying the second coat. Be careful to not cause runs as these may alter the appearance of paint coats if they are not sanded smooth later. Make sure to spray all surfaces that will be body color including edges and the underside of the body / hood / deck lid.

Let this dry for about one half hour then check areas where you've removed mold lines, applied putty, rescribed lines, and any uneven areas you may have missed to make sure they have been smoothed out, filed, or sanded down level. Also check for flaws that you may not have noticed before. I noticed on mine that some putty needed a little more sanding and a mold line wasn't fully removed. Now is the time to do this. I also sand the surface of the primer at this time with LMG 2400 grit sanding cloth to remove overspray. I use LMG's product for this because the primer cleans out of it nicely where it normally gums up in regular sanding paper like the Testor's paper. Rub your finger over the roof of the body before and after you do this to get a feel for the difference. Not a lot of sanding is necessary.

Wash the surfaces again with dishwash liquid to remove sanding dust, dry thoroughly, apply another moderate coat of primer and check for flaws again. If you have none, apply a heavier coat of primer. Let this dry for about one half hour then sand lightly with the 2400 grit sanding cloth.

Wash again with dishwash soap and dry thoroughly. Apply a heavy coat of primer, let dry for one half hour, then sand lightly with the 2400 grit cloth. At this point after sanding I rarely have any plastic showing through areas where I've sanded but if you do then repeat this step until you achieve full coverage. Remember to sand the underside of the body and the other parts as well. You need primer over the entire surface to allow for even paint color coverage and to provide a barrier to protect the plastic from the hot solvent paint that will be applied coming up in the next lesson. I'll post that sometime this week.

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