What primer do you use?

Recently Krylon ditched their black semi-flat spray paint, and came out with Krylon flat. The new product does not dry on soft plastics, rubber. I'm really bummed about this. So I'm looking for a new base product. What do you use, and how does it hold up? Drying time, etc?
Thanks in advance,
John

I use Model Master white spray-on and Tamiya light gray spray. Both work pretty well and dry pretty fast (the Model Master seems to dry faster, but the Tamiya seems to cover more in the first coat.)

Haven't tried them on rubber, but they work great on the softer plastics that I've used (MLS Magneto, etc.)

My local Walmart has a poor selection of Krylon Fusion and I don't have easy access to a hobby store, so I've not found a primer that doesn't react like you say. I did pick up a can of Krylon Camouflage Ultra Flat in a tan color that I'm using for a primer when I need one. It's make with Fusion, so I've not had a problem with it on the softer plastics. Can says it dries in 15 minutes or less and it does dry quickly. The ultra flat finish makes it really work well for a primer. I also like the tan color cuz it works well as a base for light and dark colors.

I use any Flat paints. I've had the same problem with Krylon before. Sometimes it does it, and sometimes it doesn't. It really seems that it is the conditions that cause it to not stick. Temperature and part prepping seem to be my main problems. If I screw up a part, I will strip the paint then will wash the parts in soapy water, then run the spray paint can under hot water, then make sure to shake it a minimum of two minutes. Usually the second go around with the same paint and parts will work. Not sure why it is so finicky.

Anyway, here is a list of ones that I regularly use
Krylon Camo Ultra flat paints (black, od, tan, brown)
Krylon Primer White & Gray
Cheap-o Walmart Primer Gray
Cheap-o Walmart Primer Red
Rustoleum Primer Charcoal Gray
Rustoleum Primer Brown

But, like I said, I've had the best results with flat spray paints. Krylon typically is my favorite, because of dry time. Usually the cheap-o Walmart brands can take a long time to fully dry, especially when it is cold outside.

BadAsh also filled me in that you can apply a Matte Clear Coat over glossy spray paints and it will dull them down. Really expands spray paint color choice for base coats.

Thanks for the feedback. And watch the Krylon in the future- I'm so disappointed that they changed it. I used it for the past 3-4 years with not a single problem.

I dont primer my figs, but on vehs I use that basic Krylon grey with no problems.

I just found our we're getting a new plastic specific primer in in the next week or so. I hope that works out.

I've begun using Design Master primer; goes on nice, dries fast and doesn't tend to have the "grainy" look you can get with Krylon. I switched to it after comparing it and Krylon and noticing Krylon didn't list plastic as a suitable substrate (this does.) So far I'm pretty pleased with the results, though I won't say it's better or worse than Krylon (except for the smoother finish the two seem about the same; I think there's also a price difference of about $1-$2 per can.)

Doc,
How does it set up on soft plastic? Does it dry or is it tacky?
Thanks.

Doc,
How does it set up on soft plastic? Does it dry or is it tacky?
Thanks.

Seems to dry pretty well; I've used it on soft rubbery parts (like the "skirts" from some Star Wars/Golden Compass figures) as well as a 25A Red Ninja and a pair of the Bravo Team figures, and didn't notice any tackiness afterward.

[pluv]

Krylon Camo Ultra flat paints (black, od, tan, brown)

Ditto, along with Rustoleum Primer Gray and Tamiya Silver and Tamiya White.

Thanks, guys.
I got a hold of our local rep and he told me they had to change the formula to meet some regulation.
Really bums me out. It took me years to find a primer I liked.

Thanks, guys.
I got a hold of our local rep and he told me they had to change the formula to meet some regulation.
Really bums me out. It took me years to find a primer I liked.

Wondering now if that's what happened to the Krylon Matte Sealer a couple of years back. I used it for sealing all my customs with no problems, then got a fresh can, and suddenly everything came out tacky! Ended up switching to Plaid/Americana ones after that but they weren't as good, overall, as the Krylon I'd had (which produced a really, really matte finish).

I just found our we're getting a new plastic specific primer in in the next week or so. I hope that works out.

From Krylon ?

I've used the Krylon Camo sprays and the fusion ones, but not on soft rubber, how about just dyeing the figure parts ?

So far I have used just straight Krylon Primer near all the automotive and metal paints. Although ya I don't use it on every job.