The Ship Model Forum

So I am getting together my supplies for my build. It is going to be a 1/350 Dragon Ticonderoga Class Cruiser (USS Mobile Bay) that I am going to build as the USS Philippine Sea circa the end of Operation Desert Storm. I have read the forums hard trying to reduce the number of questions I might have. I have Mike Ashley’s Basics of Ship Modeling and Building and Detailing Scale Model Ships and have another one coming in (David Griffiths Ship Models from Kits) so I hope these will address many of my “technique” questions. I have a number of detail parts coming (CIWS, Poon, MK 45, etc) as well as PE rails, hatches and such. When the time comes there will be questions for sure but for now my focus is prep and paint.

In reading the forums I see heaps of debate, enamel v acrylic, brush v airbrush and I have set myself on this path. I will not be airbrushing (not ready to pull that trigger until I see if I can stick it out) and I am going to go with Enamel (mostly set on Model Master series). I have already slated my color spectrum using my blind eye against imagery, peoples posts and the Fed Std Color charts (love that swatch database tool) and translated them (literally and metaphorically) against the kits instructions.

What that leaves me is primer. In general I get the gist that priming is non-negotiable regardless of what paint type you are going to use and will aid when applying the PE objects, But what I am wondering is what type? Because of the detail I am looking for, what would limit the loss of that detail on the prime. Should I go with a gray primer or what? Should I prime on the sprue prior to build and if so, all or selective or should I prime during build phases; hull superstructure, etc? Liquid? Ball in can?

I look forward to your input.

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HMS Hood, the big one!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.

On my first model, I used Tamiya Fine Surface Primer (in a rattle can), with great results. It's good stuff; comes in white or gray (which doesn't seem to matter much), but it's relatively expensive.
Since then, I've read that others have had equally good results with using simple, cheap primer from the box stores, like Krylon, Rustoleum, or even autobody stuff from Auto Zone, etc.

As you've already stated that you're not interested in an airbrush yet, you'll do absolutely fine with a rattle can...just aim to apply a light coat.
Priming on-the-sprue works decently for smaller parts, and even if you miss a few spots, the enamel will still bond perfectly well.
It's mainly the large parts like the hull, deck, and superstructure that do best primed fully and separately, after they've been puttied and sanded to your liking.

I hope this helps, best of luck with your build.

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