To Prime or Not to Prime

[airartist]

I am getting ready to paint 2 helmets black.
The helmets are a plastic type of material. does it need to be primed first. The black has a reducer and will have abse coat stabilizer added as well. If I do prime them, will the standard grey spray can primer work?

 

[big stinkie]

iI'm no pro, but I've done a few helmets using rattle can primer. I prefer Dupli-color brand. FWIW, I discovered that the black dupli-color primer will wash away with PPG DX320 degreaser/cleaner. The gray primer/scratch filler dupli-color does not.

 

[airartist]

Thanks for your input. The Grey Filler/Primer is what I used. I was told by a paint shop that if the helmet was in good shape, the paint I was using would be all I needed w/out a primer at all. A simple scuff, degreaser/wax remover and Paint. It worked Great! Thanks for your response.

 

[shaunboy]

Hi airartist .what the shop guy told u was true for most situations.if the paint work is good on an existing surface and you want to respray it then dont prime it.It is a waste of time and material and adds uncesarry paint bulid up that can chip and flake easier

 

[airartist]

Thank you for the reply.

 

[DDG]

I would use an epoxy primer before spraying any color. You need to seal in all the mold releases,
otherwise your paint can bubble up years after.
Trust me, it happened to me once but never again.
Dirt