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Calling Dakka's chemical geniuses!

I need some help with deciphering a MSD doc for primers. I keep hearing that Krylon Grey Primer is safe for plastic minis and That is where I need your help. I have been told that acetone is like plastic cancer and to avoid it at all costs. I have been using Krylon Fusion for Plastics as it is marketed for plastics. I have since stumbled on the MSDs for both and it appears they both have acetone. Here are the links to the MSDs:

http://www.paintdocs.com/webmsds/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=DBS&UPC=724504013181

http://www.paintdocs.com/webmsds/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=DBS&UPC=724504024217

If I am reading these right, both paints have acetone in them. Can someone help me understand if that is the case? Is it the same amount in each?

Ok. Not sure where you heard that but its not true. Acetone is used all around you in a lot of products. Heck its nail polish remover...Its even an ingredient in plastic

Here is the NIH (national institute for health) page about it.

http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=1

Not entirely current, in Britain at least. Most, if not all, nail polish removers here are now Acetone free. Acetone, when used neat, will disolve most kits as Acetone is compatable with Polystyrene - the material most model kits are made from. However, the amount of Acetone in your primer is not necessarily enough to damage the model itself.

An easy way to determine if it is or not is to use it on an empty sprue. It won't matter if it does damage it, and it won't use too much of the spray if it doesn't.

I use the Krylon Fusion as a primer for my minis and I've had no issues with the minis melting at all or even losing detail. I think there is just enough Acetone in the primer so the paint will bond to the plastic.

Peredyne wrote:
I use the Krylon Fusion as a primer for my minis and I've had no issues with the minis melting at all or even losing detail. I think there is just enough Acetone in the primer so the paint will bond to the plastic.

This was my take on t as well. I've used flat black and flat white krylon primers to prime 7k+ of space marines, 4k+ of necrons, 2k+ grey knights, and probably 1.5k+ of that is finecast or forgeworld resins and I have never had a single problem with the primer that wasn't my fault(I didn't shake the can enough one time and had some orange peel effect happening). I'd say your fine as krylon contains a minuscule amount of acetone just to help the paint bond to the plastic.

Chancetragedy wrote:

Peredyne wrote:
I use the Krylon Fusion as a primer for my minis and I've had no issues with the minis melting at all or even losing detail. I think there is just enough Acetone in the primer so the paint will bond to the plastic.

This was my take on t as well. I've used flat black and flat white krylon primers to prime 7k+ of space marines, 4k+ of necrons, 2k+ grey knights, and probably 1.5k+ of that is finecast or forgeworld resins and I have never had a single problem with the primer that wasn't my fault(I didn't shake the can enough one time and had some orange peel effect happening). I'd say your fine as krylon contains a minuscule amount of acetone just to help the paint bond to the plastic.

So you used the regular primers and not the Fusion ones?

Yes the black I used was this one. The white says primer but is the same type but in white haha.

You may have just made my day. Has anyone used it and found it to be mini-safe?

Krylon Primer works fantastic on models, including plastic.

I use it and the pain/primer for a lot of projects. I've never had a problem with it. Just make sure you follow the standards for using spray paint and you'll be fine.

Spray from a good distance. This varies, but typically between 8-12 inches. You want to be far enough away that you're not globbing on too much paint yet close enough the paint isn't drying mid air.

Also start spraying to the side of the mini and make a pass across it lightly and stop spraying on the other side. This will protect you from sputters when starting or stopping.

Use several light, thin passes rather than trying to get it all at once. Thin layers dry faster and obscure less detail.

Spray in a well ventilated area, preferably outside so you don't get lightheaded and pass out, falling onto and breaking your pretties.

Those are all the pointers I can think of off the top of my head.

Spray away and get painting.

And @havok that's the grey version of the white primer I use, it's good just don't spray from too far away.

And even if spraying outdoors (remember, the wind can change direction) use a particulate filter dust mask.

Don't worry about a bit of solvent (Acetone or whatever) in primers. It will work find with plastic models. The solvent actually makes the primer stick better. It will however be alot more difficult to strip later.

If stripping of models is a priority, make sure to use acrylic or water based primers. Otherwise you can use most any spray paint or primer. I've used just about every kind there is on plastic with no worries.

The only thing to watch out for is that some spray paints come out faster, but if you use light coats you will be fine.

As to Acetone it'self it's really only damaging to plastic when you use it at strength to try to strip paint. That concentrated acetone will melt the detail off your plastic figures.