Primer Colour

[captain nemo12]

Hey guys,

I can't help but notice that many modelers apply a primer that is brownish-red in colour before spraying one the final coat of enamel. Is this simply used to simulate the underlying rust effect on the sub's hull or is there another reason for this application?

Thanks a lot for any help and have a Merry Christmas!!

[brady_d]

Well I'll tell you, from

Well I'll tell you, from what I've observed, a lot of builders tend to follow what others have done and what works when it comes to the construction of their boats. I would venture a guess though that if you have a boat and her hull is made out of a white, gray, or black material (as they almost all seem to be) that a standard white/black/gray primer wouldn't show the low spots and give the other visual cues that primer is supposed to do. My Akula is black, but the aft planes are all molded in resin that's been painted with gray primer, and the plastic detail parts are all white plastic! On top of that, you cannot miss red, regardless of the color of the hull and other parts, so no matter what, it'll stand out. I think this would be important especially on a subject as big as a submarine. You can eyeball a 1/48 spitfire pretty well, but a 1/96 SSN is another story.

[JWLaRue]

For my larger size and

For my larger size and scale of sub models, I use a sandable primer in either grey or red/rust. This allows me to get the surface properly prep'd for the color coat.....and as you surmised, it helps to deal with the low/high spots, which are quite visible after a light sanding.

The color of the primer can also have an effect on the final color coat in terms of the finished color.

...and then, some of us also use the sandable red primer from Krylon to represent the red oxide that is often seen below the waterline on the prototype subs.

-Jeff