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Hey everyone!
As the title states, I am looking for a thin primer for my minis. Wal-Mart had a version of Krylon that fit the bill but they seem to be changing their lines to feature Rustoleum vs Krylon. Since it now appears to be my only option vs paying a high amount online, what is everyone's experience with these paints:

I use the bottom one (flat, not satin)

It's great

I use this


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and while the can says no runs... yeah it will. Its smooth if you know how to spray though. I like it better than anything and you can get it 40%off from Hobby Lobby

 honeybadger33 wrote:
I use this


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and while the can says no runs... yeah it will. Its smooth if you know how to spray though. I like it better than anything and you can get it 40%off from Hobby Lobby

That is the version of Krylon I use, but not the primer. I use the flat black one. Unfortunately, my Wal Mart seems to be leaning towards Rustoleum.

The bottom one is what I use, although I use flat black. It's the best. Looks a bit thick when it goes on, but it dries super thin. Good stuff, really.

If you're painting plastic kits, I've found regular old flat/matte enamels hold up just fine. Most blacks, especially, tend to go on thin and shrink down nicely (whites go chalky too easily). While I'll usually airbrush a PU primer, nowadays, the majority of my painted minis were 'primed' with ColorPlace - the Walmart house brand that goes for a buck a can.

What I use:

 Ghaz wrote:
What I use:

I was thinking of using a sandable primer, but someone told me that they are made to fill in small cracks to make a flat surface. When sprayed on minis, it would fill in details. Any experience with that?

I can't speak to the exact cans you're holding but...

1) For primer always go matte or flat paint or primer instead of satin. Satin doesn't provide nearly as much tooth for painting-over. I do sometimes use satin for terrain since it comes in more colors but not for figures.

2) I generally like Krylon a bit better than Rustoleum. Both are fine, but Krylon seems to cover smoother.

3)For most cans, you can tip krylon upside down and spray and it will just push out propellant so you can purge the nozzle of paint. This makes your cans last alot longer. Turning a Rustoleum can over gives you paint so all you can do is hope that it doesn't dry and clog your nozzle.

4)I generally like the coverage of the Rustoleum 2x.

5)I think that Rustoleum 2x comes out of the can a bit quicker than other types. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of.

6) if you're looking for flat black or white, I use the store brands when available (usualy for a buck or two)

7) I've used sandable primer (though not the brand pictured above) and never had any more detail loss than with other types.

 Havok210 wrote:

 Ghaz wrote:
What I use:

I was thinking of using a sandable primer, but someone told me that they are made to fill in small cracks to make a flat surface. When sprayed on minis, it would fill in details. Any experience with that?

I don't know about that specific brand, but in general "sandable" doesn't necessarily mean "fills gaps". Some do, some don't.

Sometimes you just want a very thin primer that will show up gaps, divots, waviness, etc and then you fill the flaws with another product and sand it smooth.

I've used Duplicolor for over a decade, ever since Aly McVey (of Studio McVey) recommended it on the Privateer Press forums. I've had no problems with it on metal, resin or plastic with no loss of details.

I use the bottom one for grey and white. It's awesome. I use a $0.99 bottle from Home Depot for black. It's the super cheap stuff, just make sure it has the flat black cap, not gloss. Otherwise you'll have gloss primer.

 Havok210 wrote:

 Ghaz wrote:
What I use:

I was thinking of using a sandable primer, but someone told me that they are made to fill in small cracks to make a flat surface. When sprayed on minis, it would fill in details. Any experience with that?

Duplicolor is for automotive work. It has very fine grit. I also +1 this kind.

 keezus wrote:

 Havok210 wrote:

 Ghaz wrote:
What I use:

I was thinking of using a sandable primer, but someone told me that they are made to fill in small cracks to make a flat surface. When sprayed on minis, it would fill in details. Any experience with that?

Duplicolor is for automotive work. It has very fine grit. I also +1 this kind.

Where do you all find this at? A local auto store or a retail chain?

I get mine from the local Meijer, but there's a list of retailers HERE.

I get mine from Canadian Tire... because... Canada.

AutoZone carries the Dupli-Color primer. That is where I usually pick mine up from.

Just be sure you have a nice cool environment to spray in because the sandable auto primers will fuzz something horrible if it is slightly too humid.

I always spray in my basement to avoid the fuzz.