Has anyone here had good luck with Valspar primer (sanding it or just as a base coat)? The reason I ask is because Valspar (along with Krylon and Rustoleum) are the most common spray paints in my area.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
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NAR #54895 SR

The only Valspar primer I have is JUNK.
Note this is their BASIC (non automotive) primer.
I bought a couple of cans for a buck each on special and quickly found that they were enamel-base not lacquer which means they will take forever to completely dry and NOT sand worth a bucket of warm saliva.

I do not know if Valspar makes an "automotive" type sandable primer.
All I know is their "basic" hardware store primer is hideous.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

I've been considering using primer on my new Estes Saturn V build, but the wrap-arounds are styrene. I believe laquer based primers might mess up the plastic. Am I correct?

Lacquer based primers should not mess up the wraps providing you use them in thin coats with proper drying in between.
Do NOT lay it on thick each coat.
DOPE on the other hand is much hotter than even lacquer and should never be used on styrene.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Here is the composition of the Rustoleum automotive primer according to the MSDS:


.Chemical.....................|...%.Wt
.Liquefied.Petroleum.Gas......|.....30
.Xylene.......................|.....25
.Magnesium.Silicate...........|.....20
.Toluene......................|.....15
.Ethylbenzene.................|.....10
.Titanium.Dioxide.............|......5
.Zinc.Phosphate...............|......5
.Basic.Zinc.Molybdate.........|......5


The Magnesium Silicate (talc) is at 20%, so theoretically, at least, it should be worth trying as a high-solids primer. Has anyone used it with success?

Greg

I have used the Rust Oleum Auto primer you reference above.
It is a "mild" lacquer with a moderate drying time as it has no Acetone in the mix.
Expect a significantly longer than average lacquer drying time, but much faster than enamel.
Sands easily once dry.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Thanks GH for your input.

Greg

Just make sure if anyone purchases Rust Oleum primer, you get the AUTOMOTIVE version ONLY.
The stuff they sell that is non-automotive is NOT a decent sanding primer; it is more of a base SEALER for the topcoat to be appied onto and will do nothing but clog paper while providing only a MINIMUM of any filling. An added negative bonus of the non-automotive stuff is it is enamel based, which takes forever to dry to boot.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Plasti-kote is a Valspar company. P-K seems to focus on the automotive side of things whereas Valspar concentrate on the general home improvement products.

Thank you, foose4string, ghrocketman, and GregGleason! A good "paint formulation sticky" could rate the drying time and "sandability" versus the percentages of petroleum distillates and volatiles (such as acetone and ethylbenzene) versus the solids content. This would enable model rocketeers to select primers and paints based on their chemical constituents instead of by brand, so that those living in areas where only "no-name brands" are available could select good primers and paints with confidence. It would also be helpful to YORF members in other countries where different paint brands may be standard offerings.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR