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I just bought 2 bottles of primers to apply by brush rather than spray can, where needed. I got vellajo white and green stuff world black gloss. I am suprised how thin these are, especially the white. I though primer would be a sort one coat hobby. I assume they are tho n to be used in an airbrush. Or am I as usual getting it wrong
You can certainly apply primers by brush, but need to make sure the product you have is for brushing and not spraying.
Also, I would be afraid to use a gloss primer in any color, as it makes the top layers of paint a bit harder to stick on the gloss - I suppose it does just fine, though.
Further to what MDSW says I’d just add that gloss primers can destroy brushes from my experience(not immediately just damage them quicker than normal primer) the GSW one you have is listed as safe for brushes and Vallejo is safe for brushes as well. I’d only recommend gloss primer for when your base coat is going to be metallics.
I used to brush on Vallejo black primer for years.
I put on the first layer, let it dry for around 12 hrs and then added a second layer if needed.
Did its job very well but not comparable to a airbush application but still better than using spray cans and losing details.
But yes, white and grey are really hard to brush on, black is more forgivable.
The best demonstration of Vallejo primers I've found is this one by Angel Giraldez.
It's important to understand that Vallejo is not a durable primer compared to spray cans. It makes a lovely smooth surface to paint on, but it will be relatively easy to damage. By adding a little bit of water and applying very thin coats of primer, you can make it a bit more durable.
This applies whether you are using brush or airbrush.
I really don't understand why people try to justify the use of Vallejo primers, when they are simply not fit for purpose.
I mean, you can thin them, then apply a layer, then wait 24 hours for it to fully cure, then repeat the process a few times....or on the other hand you could just use a primer that works properly.
I've had better results with black gesso than white gesso, but even then I didn't slap it on as thickly as in that article.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I mean, you can thin them, then apply a layer, then wait 24 hours for it to fully cure, then repeat the process a few times....or on the other hand you could just use a primer that works properly.
mrFickle wrote: So what’s a good white primer to apply by brush?
It's much harder to get a good, thin, even, durable coat by brush than using traditional spary primers. Priming by hand is almost an art by itself.
That being said, I've had good results with Liquitex Gesso, Scale75 primers (not as durable as Gesso but better than Vallejo), and even from my slowly dwindling supply of Citadel Smelly Primer (nostalgia FTW).
I've heard very good things about Stynylrez primers and am very keen to try them, but haven't got round to it yet.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I really don't understand why people try to justify the use of Vallejo primers, when they are simply not fit for purpose.
I mean, you can thin them, then apply a layer, then wait 24 hours for it to fully cure, then repeat the process a few times....or on the other hand you could just use a primer that works properly.
I'm utterly confused by this statement - the Vallejo primer I use goes on fine with one coat and isn't easily removed.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I really don't understand why people try to justify the use of Vallejo primers, when they are simply not fit for purpose.
I mean, you can thin them, then apply a layer, then wait 24 hours for it to fully cure, then repeat the process a few times....or on the other hand you could just use a primer that works properly.
I'm utterly confused by this statement - the Vallejo primer I use goes on fine with one coat and isn't easily removed.
What product are other people using?
Perhaps we live in overlapping alternate universes, which are exactly the same in every respect except for one thing: the durability of Vallejo primers.
In all seriousness, I'm equally confused when I come across anybody who praises the durability of them.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I really don't understand why people try to justify the use of Vallejo primers, when they are simply not fit for purpose.
I mean, you can thin them, then apply a layer, then wait 24 hours for it to fully cure, then repeat the process a few times....or on the other hand you could just use a primer that works properly.
I'm utterly confused by this statement - the Vallejo primer I use goes on fine with one coat and isn't easily removed.
They work great for me, although I apply them in a few thin airbrushed layers instead of blasting or brushing on one thick coat. I don't wait a day in between coats either, although I always wait 24 hours after the final coat. Lots and lots of people use Vallejo to good effect.
I’m wondering if they use a different formula for their primers for the USA market than they do for the European market, because people’s experiences do seem to be remarkably different.
IIRC Testors had to change their Dullcote formula because one of the components was banned in Europe.
I am of the position to not actually use a primer at all - I just use the primary color that mini will be as the base coat. This saves tons of time painting. And, since I use a flat enamel as the base coat, no problems with sticking to the mini and top coats sticking just fine. The enamel also dries better than acrylics so is a lot more durable.
Made for airbrush, go on with a hairy stick like a mothereffing wet dream.
I will never use any other AB/hairy stick primer. I use Krylon for outdoor priming and terrain; for indoors with the AB and hairy stick it's Stynylrez.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I’m wondering if they use a different formula for their primers for the USA market than they do for the European market, because people’s experiences do seem to be remarkably different.
IIRC Testors had to change their Dullcote formula because one of the components was banned in Europe.
I don't know. For reference when I say primer I mean this:
Comes in big quantities, several colors (I've used black, gray and a rust red they make) and like I said I haven't had issues.
Yes, that's the exact type that I tried, except that I tried the white and grey variants.
I tried everything, I tried cleaning the minis with washing up liquid before priming, I also tried cleaning them with dettol first (rinsing and drying first, obviously).
I tried it without thinning, or with thinning.
I tried to build up the durability by adding extra coats after letting it cure for 24 hrs.
Nothing would improve the durability.
I understand that many people are happy with VPs, I just don't understand why.
I have that same polyurethane primer and apply with an air brush and a standard brush without any issues ... I do wash my models prior to application though with soap and water just to be sure they are free from grease and mould release agent.
My airbrush was delivered last week. To be honest over probably only had 1.5 hours to have a go so I quickly applied 2 primers in an attempt at zenithal highlights and a layer of colour. First impression are the time primers go on great via the airbrush. I haven’t tried using the Vallejo white to full base from grey plastic but I did apply it on top of the black and it worked ok. I was led to believe that cleaning the airbrush was a pain but I don’t mind it and considering how much time I can see this saving me over brushing it’s a non issue.
I can see already that this is basic airbrush and how some engineering improvements such as smoother action on the lever and finer tuning on paint release. But it’s a foot starter for 10.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/07/20 10:39:08
Yeah, Iwata and H&S both make .15mm and .2mm AB's.
I'd go .15. Just realize your paint at that point is nearly an ink and you are talking psi of between 12-18psi but that size and pressure you can free hand SM shoulder pads and cloaks.
Yeah. Most paint is sprayed at 20-25psi with a .3 to .5mm nozzle; .20 and smaller aim for 15psi.
Too high pressure will cause splatter and spiders (looks like a circle with lots of fingers).
Too low pressure with too thick paint and it won't atomize properly and cause lots of tip dry and poor performance.
1000's of videos on AB. The big thing is practice. Invest in some heavy paper, or if you want plastic minis to practice on, buy the little green army men in a bag. Most toy stores still sell them and it beats using actual 40k models.
A good inspiration is CoolMiniOrNot website; also check out "Next Level Painting" on either Youtube or Twitch. Kenny Boucher paints most of his 40k minis with an AB and he has lots of videos compiled and on Twitch you can catch him live (forgot what nights he broadcasts).
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/07/21 11:07:26
