What are the benefits of using a black primer?

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan · Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:33 am

For the longest time, I thought that primer only came in white or gray. Then after I moved to Japan a couple of years ago, I started seeing black primer cans. So what are the benefits of using that? I would think that they would require more paint to color the model properly. Is it for scale? A while back I saw this video ofo a guy painting up an awesome Yamato starship in which it seemed that he was using the black as a way of preshading the entire model and then mostly painting in the middle areas.

So is black primer pretty badass for darker colored models and such?

Vetter · Post by **Vetter** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 11:10 am

Black is a good base for some metallics.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:36 pm

And if you're into pre-shading you can skip a step.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:50 am

It's excellent for getting that look some anime and Star Wars vehicles have. It looks awesome trying to shoot a cool white or light gray over black. Preshading's already done AND it's really easy to get panel variation and splotchiness with light colors over black.

Kenny

TurkeyVolumeGuessingMan · Mon Feb 10, 2014 12:07 am

OK, so as I expected, it is for preshading. Thanks.

So preshading is the way to go with raised panel lines, right? My MPC A-Wing fighter has raised panel lines, so I was thinking that I would try preshading on it. I can use the black primer by Mr. Hobby first and fill in the gray with precise airbrushing.