Light grey primer "fine" 180ml

Tamiya's reference primer to prepare the surface before painting

The Tamiya Grey Light "Fine" Primer (ref. 87064) is one of those workshop products that makes the difference between an ordinary finish and a truly refined one. In a 180 ml spray format, it is designed to prepare plastic and metal surfaces before applying any colour coat, ensuring uniform adhesion and accurately revealing imperfections that should be corrected before proceeding.

Applications

This primer fits a wide variety of projects within modelling:

• Static models of cars, planes, boats, and military vehicles.
• Figures and miniatures in plastic or white metal.
• Dioramas: both structural elements and detail parts.
• Slot car bodies where a finish paint with maximum adhesion is desired.

Compatibility

Tamiya's formula is adapted to work directly on polystyrene plastic (the most common in Tamiya, Revell, or Academy models) and on metal, including white metal or photo-etched parts. It is compatible with acrylics, enamels, and lacquers, making it a versatile base that does not limit your subsequent colour range choices.

Finish and tone characteristics

The light grey tone is one of the most used for priming because it balances coverage with detail visibility. Being a soft grey, it serves as a neutral base for both light and dark colours, without skewing the final tone of the paint. The designation "fine" refers to the very fine granularity of the formula, which penetrates uniformly into detail areas without clogging engraving lines or raising surface textures.

Application tips

• Shake the can vigorously for at least one minute before use.
• Apply in thin layers from a distance of about 20-25 cm, in crossed passes.
• Work in a well-ventilated space and at an ambient temperature between 15 and 25 °C for the best results.
• Allow to dry completely before sanding or applying the colour coat; one hour is usually sufficient under normal conditions, although waiting longer is always advisable.
• If sanding very smooth surfaces (resin or highly polished plastic), a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper after priming will further improve the adhesion of the next layer.

Frequently asked questions

Is this primer compatible with Vallejo or Tamiya acrylic paints?

Yes. Once the primer is dry, you can apply Vallejo, Tamiya, Ammo, or any other common modelling brand acrylic paints over it without adhesion issues or chemical reactions.

Can I use this primer on resin?

The information provided by the manufacturer indicates compatibility with plastic and metal. For resin surfaces, it is advisable to do a test on an inconspicuous area, as the resin composition may vary depending on the manufacturer.

Is sanding required between the primer and the finish paint?

It is not mandatory, but very light sanding with 400-600 grit sandpaper after the primer has fully dried allows for an even smoother surface and improves the adhesion of subsequent layers.

How much does the 180 ml can cover?

The coverage depends on the size and number of parts, as well as the thickness of the layer applied. For 1/35 or 1/48 scale models, one can usually cover several parts with multiple layers. For 1/32 slot car bodies, the coverage is very high.

Can it be used with an airbrush?

This product is formulated as a pressure spray, not as a liquid for airbrushes. For airbrush use, Tamiya offers primers in liquid format from its Surface Primer line.

Tamiya 87064 Grey Light Fine primer spray 180 ml — a reliable fine-grit grey primer for plastic and metal scale models, figures and dioramas. Ideal base coat for acrylic, enamel and lacquer paints. Smooth finish, excellent adhesion, compatible with 1/32 slot car bodies and static scale model kits. A staple product for any serious modeller's workbench.