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Hey all,

So as the title stated, I’m having trouble priming. I’m very sensitive to fumes, and unfortunately, am in a high rise apartment without a balcony. Priming outside isn’t really an option where I am. So what I’m wondering is how do I prime my models in this scenario? I guess I could use a brush to prime them, but I’ve heard that isn’t that great a way to go.

Thanks in advance.

Where I live, it's either hot and humid or icy cold pretty much all year round, so spray primer doesn't work for me. I have found brush priming with Gesso (inspired by this article) to be the best solution for me.

Brush priming is an option. I used to use gesso to prime with, and was never dissatisfied with the results. There's a great article here on DakkaDakka that is pretty much what I used. White gesso, black paint (gives it more body/opacity), and a dash of water makes for a nice grey primer.

Alternatively, you could look into airbrush priming. With polyurethane primers (eg Badger Stynylrez, Vallejo Surface Primer) you want to use a respirator while spraying to avoid inhaling particulates, but there are no VOCs or other fumes, so once you're done spraying you're safe to doff the mask.

I like priming with Gesso (in particular, grey gesso) and I also like Vallejo Surface Primers, which can be airbrushed or hair-brushed on. White gesso has always been chalky and streaky for me, but I've had good luck with grey and black.

Alright, so it sounds like brush priming is definitely doable. How are the fumes on those things? Not too bad I hope?

Gesso is just acrylic paint with chalk added so that other paints can stick to it more easily. There are no more fumes than any other acrylic paints.

I use Vallejo surface primer and it works great tbh. I've only used the black and rust red ones so far but they have good coverage and are pretty durable (they also can be purchased in big 200ml bottles if you want to buy in bulk).

As far as fumes, if I'm using a lot there's a vague banana smell, but that's about it.

Get a desk fan and aim it out of your window.. Spray into a big cardboard box, and once you've sprayed, turn it so the fumes escape upwards, into the flow of the fan and out of the window. This is how I primed when I lived in service single rooms.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If you're sensitive, get a mask too. You should really wear a mask if you have to prime indoors anyway.

COnsider getting something prebuilt like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Airbrush-Spray-Paint-Booth-Kit-Air-Brush-Art-Craft-Filter-Extractor/352760164777?hash=item522224f1a9:g:zSsAAOSwR5ldVvZU

But yeah a mask is a no brainer as well - i'd recommend something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scan-A1-Gas-Organic-Vapour-Twin-Cartridge-Filters-With-Half-Face-Mask-Respirator/390365894300?epid=1805080009&hash=item5ae39ed69c:g:j3kAAOSw9NxTsnaZ
with replacable filters

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Hey all,

So as the title stated, I’m having trouble priming. I’m very sensitive to fumes, and unfortunately, am in a high rise apartment without a balcony. Priming outside isn’t really an option where I am. So what I’m wondering is how do I prime my models in this scenario? I guess I could use a brush to prime them, but I’ve heard that isn’t that great a way to go.

Thanks in advance.

OP, do you have an extractor unit over your hob/stove/whatever you call it? If you do, you could do your spraypainting in a cardboard box on top of the hob, and use the extractor fan to suck the fumes outside. Its not the greatest option but I'm in a similar situation and this is my solution. Can also open windows and just leave the door closed while you go and do something else

I would never ever prime indoors with a rattle can. Like literally ever. I mean the odor is one thing but the amount of paint dust created is just immense. No cardboard box is going to prevent it spreading literally everywhere.

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Hey all,

So as the title stated, I’m having trouble priming. I’m very sensitive to fumes, and unfortunately, am in a high rise apartment without a balcony. Priming outside isn’t really an option where I am. So what I’m wondering is how do I prime my models in this scenario? I guess I could use a brush to prime them, but I’ve heard that isn’t that great a way to go.

Thanks in advance.

I do sometimes on charachters, mostly due to getting a better Cover, however i basically "double prime my models" as in first the actual Primer then a second one which is incidentially the main colour of the armor / Model.

I use a broad brush and basically use atm am using if i do it that way, abbadon black first then when it dried up i use vallejo model color London Grey. Granted however that my Scheme for that army is basically Grey, Red, Black, Gold/Metal/copper and additional bouts and bits of green, that might is the key though why it works, considering these are all dark/"stronger" colours.

Additionally if you do so by brush, there is not much point in watering down the Colour like normal atleast for the primers.
However, i feel like this procedure is not something for whole armies obviously

Dont even think about spraying that stuff indoors. The human body isn't designed to inhale any of these concentrated potentially deadly chemicals and inhaling them could have disastrous effects which would make you question why you didn't make the effort to just go outside.

Well you don't know what amount of vapor or what ever is making its way in to your body, how do you know, its not exactly visible, so best to stay outside or in very well ventilated area, and even you still need to cover your face.

I spray into a box in my apartment. It's fine. I've never got paint anywhere but on the mini, in the box or on my glove.

Then I put every fan in there on, blast the a/c and take my dog out for an hour. The smell is rarely still there when I get back.

Look, I’m just very sensitive to fumes. I get headaches easily from fumes. I appreciate people saying to be cautious since for whatever reason, fumes seem to affect me more than others.

As for why priming outside isn’t doable, I live in an extremely crowded area. It’s just not feasible here. In the past I used to do pretty much what you suggested: prime outside. But that was when I used to live in areas where it was much easier to do so. There’s no need to be harsh about this.

Get an airbrush and spray station w/ window ventilation tube. And a mask if you're still worried about it. Done.
This is how i prime in my apartment!

The vapors and fumes are poison, even when you are outside doing it, not all the vapors just go away 100% in one direction, you get alot of it scattered in all directions actually, so no matter if its a well ventilated inside area, or outdoors, you should always have breathing / face protection. You dont want to in 20 years time or so have some illness because of some thing that might take the least time in the hobby ( priming).

Dude, people have posted about using spray with fans and what not in an apartment amongst other solutions. Nowhere in my first post does it say that I don’t want to use a spray can period. Some people said it might be dangerous to use indoors so I thought ok maybe it’s dangerous. I am more than happy to see what people have to say about this.

I stated that going outside isn’t really an option in my very first post. You either didn’t read that post, or, read it, ignored what I wrote, and decided to suggest the same thing anyways and then proceed to continue to push this idea over and over again despite myself saying it isn’t doable where I am currently located and others also chiming in and saying that it is entirely possible this is an issue depending on where you live. Look dude, I could sit here and try explain why this isn’t very feasible for me, and how you can’t really pass judgement on this scenario without literally being where I am, but I don’t see the point, cause that’s not really what you seem to be aggressively arguing. If your whole point is that if you try and find a way, it’s possible to prime outside, and that me saying that it isn’t an option is just an inaccurate description of the scenario, then you’re essentially trying to argue semantics of me saying not doable vs very difficult to do, or whatever, especially since you claim that I should’ve stated that I want to know about how to use brush priming, which is inaccurate, as stated earlier, since I clearly describe the parameters of my scenario.

Frankly, this arguing over semantics isn’t productive. I just came here for advice with what I stated. Others have posted helpful comments. Your posts have not been helpful.

 Stormatious wrote:
Who are you talking to?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Dude, people have posted about using spray with fans and what not in an apartment amongst other solutions. Nowhere in my first post does it say that I don’t want to use a spray can period. Some people said it might be dangerous to use indoors so I thought ok maybe it’s dangerous. I am more than happy to see what people have to say about this.

I stated that going outside isn’t really an option in my very first post. You either didn’t read that post, or, read it, ignored what I wrote, and decided to suggest the same thing anyways and then proceed to continue to push this idea over and over again despite myself saying it isn’t doable where I am currently located and others also chiming in and saying that it is entirely possible this is an issue depending on where you live. Look dude, I could sit here and try explain why this isn’t very feasible for me, and how you can’t really pass judgement on this scenario without literally being where I am, but I don’t see the point, cause that’s not really what you seem to be aggressively arguing. If your whole point is that if you try and find a way, it’s possible to prime outside, and that me saying that it isn’t an option is just an inaccurate description of the scenario, then you’re essentially trying to argue semantics of me saying not doable vs very difficult to do, or whatever, especially since you claim that I should’ve stated that I want to know about how to use brush priming, which is inaccurate, as stated earlier, since I clearly describe the parameters of my scenario.

Frankly, this arguing over semantics isn’t productive. I just came here for advice with what I stated. Others have posted helpful comments. Your posts have not been helpful.

Who are you talking to?

Sorry, not directed at you, that was directed at greatbigtree

 deltaKshatriya wrote:

 Stormatious wrote:
Who are you talking to?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Dude, people have posted about using spray with fans and what not in an apartment amongst other solutions. Nowhere in my first post does it say that I don’t want to use a spray can period. Some people said it might be dangerous to use indoors so I thought ok maybe it’s dangerous. I am more than happy to see what people have to say about this.

I stated that going outside isn’t really an option in my very first post. You either didn’t read that post, or, read it, ignored what I wrote, and decided to suggest the same thing anyways and then proceed to continue to push this idea over and over again despite myself saying it isn’t doable where I am currently located and others also chiming in and saying that it is entirely possible this is an issue depending on where you live. Look dude, I could sit here and try explain why this isn’t very feasible for me, and how you can’t really pass judgement on this scenario without literally being where I am, but I don’t see the point, cause that’s not really what you seem to be aggressively arguing. If your whole point is that if you try and find a way, it’s possible to prime outside, and that me saying that it isn’t an option is just an inaccurate description of the scenario, then you’re essentially trying to argue semantics of me saying not doable vs very difficult to do, or whatever, especially since you claim that I should’ve stated that I want to know about how to use brush priming, which is inaccurate, as stated earlier, since I clearly describe the parameters of my scenario.

Frankly, this arguing over semantics isn’t productive. I just came here for advice with what I stated. Others have posted helpful comments. Your posts have not been helpful.

Who are you talking to?

Sorry, not directed at you, that was directed at greatbigtree

Oh i thought you replied really quickly to what i said some how so i was confused slightly my bad.

 Stormatious wrote:

 deltaKshatriya wrote:

 Stormatious wrote:
Who are you talking to?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Dude, people have posted about using spray with fans and what not in an apartment amongst other solutions. Nowhere in my first post does it say that I don’t want to use a spray can period. Some people said it might be dangerous to use indoors so I thought ok maybe it’s dangerous. I am more than happy to see what people have to say about this.

I stated that going outside isn’t really an option in my very first post. You either didn’t read that post, or, read it, ignored what I wrote, and decided to suggest the same thing anyways and then proceed to continue to push this idea over and over again despite myself saying it isn’t doable where I am currently located and others also chiming in and saying that it is entirely possible this is an issue depending on where you live. Look dude, I could sit here and try explain why this isn’t very feasible for me, and how you can’t really pass judgement on this scenario without literally being where I am, but I don’t see the point, cause that’s not really what you seem to be aggressively arguing. If your whole point is that if you try and find a way, it’s possible to prime outside, and that me saying that it isn’t an option is just an inaccurate description of the scenario, then you’re essentially trying to argue semantics of me saying not doable vs very difficult to do, or whatever, especially since you claim that I should’ve stated that I want to know about how to use brush priming, which is inaccurate, as stated earlier, since I clearly describe the parameters of my scenario.

Frankly, this arguing over semantics isn’t productive. I just came here for advice with what I stated. Others have posted helpful comments. Your posts have not been helpful.

Who are you talking to?

Sorry, not directed at you, that was directed at greatbigtree

Oh i thought you replied really quickly to what i said some how so i was confused slightly my bad.

All good man. You’ve been very helpful with your posts

Thank you, i'm sure tree is trying to be helpful, its just a mis understanding.

I hope your issue gets solved,

Have a great day.

 greatbigtree wrote:
Lulz, if you live somewhere without an atmosphere, you can’t prime outside. If you live in a submarine, you can’t prime outside. If you live in an active war zone, you *shouldnt* prime outside.

Do you have windows, and can you remove the screen? If so, get some double sided tape and a box. Tape the models to the box. Hold the box outside of the window, and spray the models.

You stay inside, the models are outside... wait for the right wind conditions and you might get a breeze from behind you, blowing those scary, scary fumes out of your apartment. No need to worry about overspray.

Can you remove your window screen?

Don’t drop them, or you’ll need to go outside to pick up the pieces.

You know, if the topic really offends you this badly, you could just stop opening the thread.

Brush prime seems to be your best bet, followed by an airbrush setup.

@ OP what is stopping you from say taking a shoebox, put some minis inside, take the box outside of the building and use a spray can on the pavement/car park/generally outside?

Obviously wear mask and gloves. You put the box lid down and use the bottom as your spray table, once primed, give it 15-20 minutes before placing the minis back into the box and taking it back upstairs?

Alternatively brush on primer is your next bet bud. Spray cans are just so much more time efficient it would be a shame not to utilise the tool.

Well, the OP said he/she lives in a highrise, which would suggest he lives in a downtown area of probably a decent sized city. Which might suggest that going outside is literally going out to the street. Which is very likely crowded. Meaning that spray painting outside is just not feasible. Take a back alley and start shaking your rattle can and I'm sure the police will be interested very quickly. You know, vandalism and all that.

It's kinda daft that people just assume that you can walk outside anywhere in the world and start spraying at will.

Anyway, I'd probably pack my minis in a box/bag and try to travel somewhere reasonably closeby where priming is possible. Whether there is a suitable location near OP's accommodation, I do not know, but you don't have to prime right next to your apartment building.

I dont even give my minis a good coating, i just do a few blasts around the whole thing and thats it, it usualy makes it speckled with tiny dots instead of a complete coating. I figure this would work fine and it seems to.

Takes probably 30 seconds or less to do 1 mini.

EDIT - I used to coat the entire thing 100%, but not any more i dont.

Before spray cans there was brush prime.
Its not as bad as you think once you get into it.

I brush badger stynylrez black primer onto models and then set them in a half open box outside until they cure (2-3 days or until they stop smelling). This is safer than using spray primer, but this primer has a potent smell to me. Just cause it's water based doesn't mean it's safe either. Polyurethanes are made up of isocyanates which accumulate in the body. I'm not sure how they get away with labelling vallejo primer and badger stuff as non toxic but I ain't believing it for a second. The good thing about brushing it on is at least particulates aren't airborne, just have to worry about vapors.