Priming keeps melting my plastic models

[Jarrett]

Hey folks,

Lately the act of priming my plastic GW models (Tau, Eldar) is melting them and I can\'t afford for this to continue, given the cost of models these days. For example, last night an Eldar Vyper took on a very pitted appearance on the nice smooth carapace shell. Argh.

I\'ve had this happen with both GW Primer and Duplicolor Sandable Primer.

I wash the models beforehand and let them dry thoroughly.

Is it simply a matter of shaking the can longer?

 

[Arjay]

This has happened to me before (generally on things like handles and hoses (never on flat surfaces)). It almost always happens where the primer has gone on a little too thickly. I think it is due to heat build up where the paint is too thick - spray-paint gets hot as it dries, if it is on too thickly it takes longer to dry and thus stays hot for longer.

 

[demonherald]

It could well be the primer being sprayed from too far away and drying funnily..Often get a grainy appearance with that.. Generally a primer wouldn\'t Melt the plastic minis are made of unless on way too thickly applied.......

 

[airhead]

Most aerosol primers (rattle cans) are solvent based. I don\'t paint GW plastics so I cannot do more than guess, but I have a couple of ideas:

It may be that you are putting on too much primer, also putting on more solvent?

Too close can cause similar problems.

You might consider brush-on primer. Especially if you own an airbrush.

 

[Jarrett]

I find it\'s a hassle to prime with my airbrush due to all the cleaning involved, but I may have to go that route.

I actually was spraying this primer from about 6-7 inches away, and only thin coats as far as I could tell. Really weird thing is the vehicle got pitted (it\'s definitely the plastic is marred, not powdery primer) and the weapon platform and troops I primed in the same batch are fine :|

 

[EArkham]

That sounds to me like some sort of agent was on the vehicle plastic that wasn\'t on the other pieces.

Did you wash the parts in soapy water and let them dry before priming?

I\'ve never once had primer melt plastic... had certain brands become powdery or grainy due to moisture, or crack after drying. Sprays can also \"orange peel\" which looks a bit like the plastic surface has deformed.

Kep

 

[Jarrett]

I actually washed all the models the same way at the same time, including scrubbing with a toothbrush.

So bizarre!

 

[hubbabubba]

6 -7 inches seems to close to me, I\'d go for 10 to 12 and spray in a box/booth.
Never heard of it happening before, the heat build up explanation sounds the most plausible to me, especially if as you\'re too close, you\'re putting too much paint on. post us a photo

 

[gwotaz]

melting models

lo all I have found that if you spray within the recommended 6\" to much of the solvent and or propellant gets on the model and can melt it, I have found that on larger models like tanks spraying a dusting from at least 6\" all over the models seals it against melting and that horrible pitted effect it causes. You can then go in closer for the final few passes. Try it out it works for me a treat the trick is to take your time.