Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I was wondering would it be ok to use normal spray paint,not the GW stuff?

It has to be primer. Primer particles stick to things really easily, and act as a surface to paint on. Normal spraypaint won't work. However, there are plenty of brands of primer that are better and cheaper then GW brand.

Personally, I recommend Duplicolor Sandable Primer. goes on very nice, never had a problem with it. I've also heard good things about Krylon primer, and even the basic store-brand primer.

Thanks for the help.

I only do this as my local GW store is woefully under stocked!

Duplicolor stuff is better and one third the price of GW stuff. Never look back.

I use normal spray paint. It does not need to say "primer" on it. I would stay away from any gloss and only use flat paint.

I prefer krylon ultra flat black or thier flat white.

Just know that regular spraypaint can't stick to models for anything. Your work will chip very, very easily, especially when you're using metal.

Multi-surface spray paint will stick to metal or plastic OK. Just check the can for the kind of materials it is recommended for.

I've got a can recommended for wood, metal including radiators, ceramics, MDF, melamine and most plastic.

I don't know how well paint on top will stick though. Probably fine, but I have tried it yet.

Good preparation is essential for any painting and wargame figures should always be varnished.

Do not use regular spray paint using it instead of primer is like using krazy glue to put together a car. Primer is superiorin every way to spray paint. The exception is Krylon FUSION paint which is made to stick to plastic because it has a primer formulated into it.

If you are using flat spraypaint and it is "working" then that is because of it's porocity (which is what makes it flat i.e. mo shine). While it may be a somewhat suitable product to paint over, I would boot recoommend it as the acrylic paint will chip or in some cases rub off.

You should also take into account the base of yoour paint. Spray paint is oil based usually (check the can). Water based paint (i.e. Liquitex/ some hobby paints) will not adhere at all because the molecules in the oil base will attempt to "float" on top of the water base. Acrylic paints (gw paints) seem to stick okay even though they are l technically a water based paint. There are also other bases; shellac, alcohol, even acitone (that's what nail polish is made from) A good rule of thumb is whateverr the product says to clean it up with, that is probably the base of the product.

This is my understanding as I have many years hobby experience(10 years +) as well as managing the paint dept at a hardware store. Not tryin to say spraypaint is wrong just that primer is a better option.

Keep in mind that a primer oil based or not is formulated in such a way as to allow for any paolt to be applied over it.

i use a car body primer from Halfords (they do white, black, rust-red/terracotta & grey) and it works great.

bubber wrote:i use a car body primer from Halfords (they do white, black, rust-redautomotive primer is tu/terracotta & grey) and it works great.

Automotive primer iis awesome, I never have tried it on plastic. I was afraid it would melt/ ruiin detail. The stuff also stinks something awful for days.

Griffsnog wrote:

bubber wrote:i use a car body primer from Halfords (they do white, black, rust-redautomotive primer is tu/terracotta & grey) and it works great.

Automotive primer iis awesome, I never have tried it on plastic. I was afraid it would melt/ ruiin detail. The stuff also stinks something awful for days.

It works fine and you get a good even coat if you apply it properly. The Halford's can have gone a bit expensive now though.

I bought my primer from the pound shop it cost er.... can't remember now. But it did the job fine. Its grey primer , on plastic and metal works well for me. It's a little smaller than GW size but still cheaper overall.

Thanks for all your replies you all have been very helpfull.

Went to Lowes and got a box of Rustoleum Black Primer Economy pack.. about $2.75 a can.

Very good primer. Thin so it lays down smooth.

And about "using paint and not primer on model". Krylon is the only paint I would do this with. Its formulated to self etch into anything it hits.. This is why they advertise as the best blended touchup paint when re-applied to the same krylon color.

Personally I prime with whatever. If you run out of primer and all you have is paint.. You can dust coat the mini spraying 12+ inches away and still be fine, gloss or not. You just need a little texture for your paint to bite..

Basically when I'm done priming you can still see the plastic/metal through the primer.

Last night I primmed an ork of mine with spray paint and he came out great thanks for all of your help!