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'm sick to death of spray primers for a number of reasons (mostly lack of control and not having anywhere to spray all that well) and would really like to start using a brush on primer.
So far, using black gesso appeals to me but I'm curious as to how gritty it is.
From some of the pictures I've seen (here and elswhere) it looks like the texture when dried might obscure some of the finer details.
Can any of you fine folks who have tried this method address my concerns or can anyone offer advice on any other brush on primers?
Thanks in advance!

This thread should help you out.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/134788.page#134788

It was that thread that made me think that gesso might be a little too gritty for doing things like epic orks and micro armour.
(Which is why i'm asking about other brush on primers, as well.)

lokilokust wrote:It was that thread that made me think that gesso might be a little too gritty for doing things like epic orks and micro armour.
(Which is why i'm asking about other brush on primers, as well.)

i bought some vallejo brush on primers, will tell you more info when they arrive within the week.

I've only used the gesso method with 54mm and 28mm figures. It dries good and smooth. I think it would be be fine for 6mm and microarmour, though I haven't tried it and obviously my opinion of 'fine' may be different to yours.

Any solid particulate material in it is very fine, like finely ground chalk duct. You can't tell it has particles in as it's mixed with water and the resin or whatever binding substance is used.

I use the Liquitex gesso. It comes in pure white and can be coloured with paint.

Remember the pictures in that article are much larger than the original figures, and magnify any detail.

A 4?? millilitre bottle of gesso costs about £9. If you try it on 6mm and don't like the results, you can strip them and start again, and use the gesso for 28mm stuff.

It'll really depend on the Gesso you use. I got some generic brand stuff awhile ago and just slopped it on. I've a terminator with lots of big brush marks I have to strip now. That was ages ago though and after throwing it in the drawer for awhile I dug the gesso out again and this time I watered it down and it was much better.

All the black parts on this Chaplain are gesso. These scouts where done with it aswell.

Defining GW spray White as medium grit:

Liquitex White Gesso: medium grit
Liquitex Black Gesso: medium grit
Liquitex Clear Gesso: coarse grit
Reaper Brush-on Primer: fine grit

Thanks for that, groz.
How is the reaper primer?

lokilokust wrote:Thanks for that, groz.
How is the reaper primer?

Anytime. The Reaper is excellent but smells strongly, like house paint, for the first 24 hours.

I think i'll have to order some of the reaper, next time I order from the warstore and try it out.

Mantel wrote:It'll really depend on the Gesso you use. I got some generic brand stuff awhile ago and just slopped it on. I've a terminator with lots of big brush marks I have to strip now. That was ages ago though and after throwing it in the drawer for awhile I dug the gesso out again and this time I watered it down and it was much better.

All the black parts on this Chaplain are gesso. These scouts where done with it aswell.

What ratio of water to Gesso did you use? I had the same problem... Primed my landspeeder... very dissapointed. Lots of brush marks and globby bits everywhere.
Soaked it overnight in SuperClean, and finished cleaning it today... primed it with white spray primer... good to go.

The Gesso seems alot more economical, and gets into the details areas much better than spray on... but I was really saddened when it didn't work.

So what the ratio you use?