Sal Bertocci takes AK Interactive USA''s Acrylic Primers out for a test drive and shares his thought with us.

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Thanks!

Thanks for the review, Sal. I've been looking into these AK primers lately.

Sal, how would you compare those to Vallejo primers?

Sorry Tom, I never had an opportunity to use Vallejo primers so I couldn't say. I really only ever used rattle can primer but I will start looking into some of the others now

I have recently used their Dark Yellow primer and I am not sure if I like it yet. Sprayed through a Paasche H, #5 tip, 20-25 psi to start. Tried it straight from the bottle, but it was very grainy. As it is primer, the edges of the pattern arent critical, but I use it as an indicator of the viscosity and it was very rough. I thinned it with the appropriate AK thinner and it improved the spray pattern, but it still looked splotchy and appeared on the verge of fish-eye. I let the sample (white plastic sheet painted with Tamiya fine surface grey) dry overnight and it did smooth out a bit more. Adhesion was excellent...when "attacked" with 3M blue tape, it did not chip or lift.

All that being said, I have to admit that I am new to water-based paints and it could be that my technique (being based on 40+ years of shooting solvent based enamels) needs considerable revision.

I just picked up the Dark Yellow and Black to go with the Gray I already had. Still just experimenting with them, but they do seem to lay down nicely with a brush. One thing I do like is that they are sandable whereas Vallejo primers are not. Good for doing check up work. One thing I've noticed with both brands is that whatever "primer" ingredient they contain seems to separate from the paint while in my tray. Need to keep stirring. And I also noticed that the Gray is noticeably grainy, but dries nice and smooth.

Kimmo

Just a quick update guys thinned Tamyia paint sprayed on with an airbrush covered well with both the black, on the interior and the gray, on the outside

I have noticed that Vallejo acrylic paints will not stick to the AK primer (German red color primer) I have brushed on to models.. Like oil and water!

For what it's worth, I haven't had a problem with any of the primer combos I've used. I have Grey, Black and Dark Yellow. I've brushed Vallejos on no problem. Have you tried different thinning ratios with the Vallejos? Based on your oil and water comment, I'd say the paint is being applied too thin. The only other thing that comes to mind is that the primer hasn't cured and is still leeching.

Kimmo