Primer or not to Primer

[Ed.D.R]

Hi all
I am currently refinsishing my guitar at the moment and i am at the proscess of applaying primer (its brush on) so i can colour coat it black.
I was wondering do people use it because it is feels like a nightmare at the moment and its horrible stuff that i cant seam to get leveled which is the purpose of primer.
Is sanding sealer just need.
I went with what re ranch said and have used primer however the stuff i am useing is brush on cellulose sanding sealer and primer.
I will attatch some photos in due course of my little if no progess.
Thanks

 

[Rockdog]

Hi there,
In my mind, there's really no benefit to applying a primer if your final finish is going to be solid black, which will obscure whatever grain or lines that exist in the wood. Primer is recommended more for light colors. It certainly won't hurt, but if it's more hassle than anything, ditch the primer and just apply the black until you can't see the wood anymore.

 

[Ed.D.R]

Yeah thanks for the advice i might just treat what i have got as a sanding sealer and sand this primer back intill its a sorta white misty tint to the wood.

 

[davmac]

Personally I think primer is more than just about the colour. It provides a solid foundation for the subsequent layers. You wouldn't just pile up the bricks on the dirt and call it a house.

If you can't get the primer right then you will have real problems getting a decent finish on the top coats. If you skip the primer then long term you'll have problems keeping the paint on the guitar but, as always, YMMV.

 

[Ed.D.R]

Yeah i think the problems i am having putting it on outway the the problems i may have in the long term.
I Should have got some decent stuff and not skipped on cost but there we go lesson learnt.

 

[davmac]

Your choice of course but if you press on now you're just throwing good money after bad IMO.

 

[txspreacher]

The BIN Spray Primer that Zinsser offers has worked well for me in the past. If you use it, be warned that it comes out like it's shot from a cannon! Good luck...and take the time to do this right...you'll be glad in the end.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

I always use a primer on an opaque finish.

But I typically apply clear, transparent or semi opaque finishes. You need nicely colored wood for this.

 

[RodeoTex]

If spraying black the surface must be PERFECT. I use primer just to see that there is no grain or dings showing, ie,the surface is perfectly flat.

Please don't use brush on primer unless you want your final coat of black to look like a sprayed on pickup bed liner. Black paint jobs aren't for wimps. Believe me, I've been working on one for over a year and haven't gotten it perfect yet.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

If spraying black the surface must be PERFECT. I use primer just to see that there is no grain or dings showing, ie,the surface is perfectly flat.

Please don't use brush on primer unless you want your final coat of black to look like a sprayed on pickup bed liner. Black paint jobs aren't for wimps. Believe me, I've been working on one for over a year and haven't gotten it perfect yet.

+1

 

[Ed.D.R]

Is acraylic primer okay to be sprayed with nitrocellulose laquer?

 

[Ed.D.R]

Also for painting a black coat what colour primer is best for the job.

 

[kermito]

Is acraylic primer okay to be sprayed with nitrocellulose laquer?

I have done this in my latest build and it worked out just fine. Allow for the acrylic to dry good (wait some time before putting on the nitro). If you want to be extra safe, make the first coat of nitro thin/light and let it dry overnight before proceeding. Also, many people have used nitro clear over acrylic color coats this way with success, so generally speaking, nitro over acrylic is fine.

I have also treated primer in a way similar to sanding sealer (but not as a replacement), putting it on fairly thick and sanding it back (fine grits!) before proceeding with the color coat.

As to the color, I bet a darker primer would be best under black, but then again, I've never done a black finish.

 

[Ed.D.R]

Thanks for the advice.
I am going to go and buy some grey acrylic primer (its mega cheap)

 

[Keyser Soze]

The need for primer does vary somewhat, depending on the actual color coat being used and the underlying material being painted. If the base material has a very even coloration you can sometimes get by without primer.

If it does not have even coloration then the variation in coloration can easily show through. This is particularly true with color coats that go on thin. Sometimes you can even see the variations in the relative flatness of a primer coat (poor sanding), which may be subtle, but the experienced eye can see it.

Patience and attention to detail cannot be bought, but you need them more than anything.

 

[Telegator]

If I understand his original question was due to his not being able to get the primer smoothed out like he wished. I would say ditch the roll on primer and go with a spray. You will almost certainly need to sand the primer down too. I go all the way down to 2500 grit with a flat sanding block on the front and back. I find that really makes the top finish coats much easier to shoot.

 

[Ed.D.R]

If I understand his original question was due to his not being able to get the primer smoothed out like he wished. I would say ditch the roll on primer and go with a spray. You will almost certainly need to sand the primer down too. I go all the way down to 2500 grit with a flat sanding block on the front and back. I find that really makes the top finish coats much easier to shoot.

yeah i am getting rid of it and getting some cheap ass acrylic primer which is compatible with nitro (hycote).
and BUGGAR i was going with what re ranch say and only goe has high as 320 but maybe i will go a bit higher.

 

[Colt W. Knight]

If I understand his original question was due to his not being able to get the primer smoothed out like he wished. I would say ditch the roll on primer and go with a spray. You will almost certainly need to sand the primer down too. I go all the way down to 2500 grit with a flat sanding block on the front and back. I find that really makes the top finish coats much easier to shoot.

You sand primer to 2500 grit?

 

[adjason]

I spray with bins white primer- shellac based-it usually has a couple of runs but it dries in about an hour and I just sand them out and shot another coat. after about 3 coats or so she is ready for paint. Read up on the Reranch site.

 

[Telegator]

You sand primer to 2500 grit?

Yep, I have had success with it. And, for a novice shooter like myself it covers a lot of "oops, should have done better" spots. I buy my sandpaper at a local automotive paint store. At 40 cents a sheet why not? I know tt may be overkill. But it sure makes me happy