The Ship Model Forum

I had issues with the PE being so finicky with paint coverage. I have tried various primers with little or no success. In the auto body repair industry all bare metal was always coated with an acid based primer. This gave the metal a surface sutible for good adhesion ready for primers, colors, etc.

I tried the Sem primer, (spray can) purchased (20.00) from an auto body paint supplier. It works fantastic. All that is needed is a light mist coat. Coverage is easy, almost need to fog from a distance. It comes with a verticle pattern nozzle which I found cumbersome so I replaced the nozzle and works much better. This also adheres well to the plastic with no ill effects. Lacquer and acrylics also adheres very well, 2 light coats or a heaver coat will cover in 1 coat. I would assume you could spray and catch and use in an airbrush, just be sure to use lacquer thinner to clean. I don't think you can by canned acid primer in small cans

I used this product on my Pontos 16" barrels and it works fantastic, no scratching off of final color to bare metal. I give this a 9 of 10. Hard for me to give anything a ten. I would recommend this to anyone painting attached PE as a primer. I know it's pricey but saves on other primers and solves agrivation issues.

Hope you like it as much as I do.

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Scott

Salisbury, NC
USS Iowa BB61 1943 post refit
1:200 Trumpeter w/ Pontos detail up with deck
USS Missouri BB63 1945 1:350

In planning T2-SE-A2 tanker AO-82

Did you buy it local or order it online?

I bought it locally from an auto parts store that also sold automotive finishes. Sem is widely used in the auto paint industries. Semproducts.com has a distributors list on their website.https://www.semproducts.com/locator
Hope you like it

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Scott

Salisbury, NC
USS Iowa BB61 1943 post refit
1:200 Trumpeter w/ Pontos detail up with deck
USS Missouri BB63 1945 1:350

In planning T2-SE-A2 tanker AO-82

£97 for a 15 oz spray can on UK Amazon, will have to look at alternatives!

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Bryan Johnson

'There are 2 kinds of ships, submarines and targets.'

Wow! Have you tried EBay? You may be able to do a search in the UK for a acid etch primer. There should be a manufacturer in the UK. I found someone who ships world wide but the cost is 52.00 for shipping. I know that's not an option. I guess because it flamible there are restrictions on shipping. I look around for you and see what I can find.

Edited to add

Here is a source if you use an airbrush, http://www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-grey-self-etch-primer.html, I have used Eastwood products and always found them to be high quality

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Scott

Salisbury, NC
USS Iowa BB61 1943 post refit
1:200 Trumpeter w/ Pontos detail up with deck
USS Missouri BB63 1945 1:350

In planning T2-SE-A2 tanker AO-82