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So, I'm recently getting back into the hobby and find myself having to start completely from scratch. I have no brushes, paints, tools or minis. I allways used to just use Citadel color, and the spray primer cans GW sold. Now However, I'm looking into what priming options are out there.

I've heard of using an airbrush, I'm very interested there, but unfortunately I don't know anythign about it. Is it significantly more expensive than buying the spray cans? better results?

Are there spray primers out there better than what GW sells? Cheaper?

What are your thoughts?

You could also look into priming with Gesso (paint-on stuff normally used for prepping a canvas - it shrinks amazingly as it dries). . . I love being able to prime minis indoors, at night, even when its raining or snowing outside.

Krylon sells paint in a spray format and is MUCH cheaper than GW (about 20% the cost here in Canada). For the same amount, equal to better coverage and a fraction of the cost, how can you go wrong?

I wouldn't recommend an airbrush for priming... but rather for touchups after priming. For instance instead of turning the model about in order to get under its ass (hah!) you could simply use an airbrush for a much more controlled and effective spray... which also means you wont miss and clog up any other details.

This is funny I use krylon too but do you guys know that krylon makes the primer for gw here in the us. They can't air freight spray paint.

Car primer or PlastiKote primer spray cans.

I use Gesso sometimes, for example, if I only want to do a small number of models.

I find it so annoying and time-consuming to get the models completely covered, using just a spray can. . . turning them upside down for a better angle. . . rolling them around. . . all of which is even more of a pain on a windy day.

any tips?

Light gray and dark gray auto primer. Coats thin and keeps detail. Also smells something awful.

I use black Gesso on individual models. it works great! you can just glob it on the model, and it shrinks in to every crevass and whatnot.

@ you gesso users. Do you just use say 'golden' brand gesso? I have a ton of that for actual paintings, but it always seems way too think to use on minis. I do love priming in doors, seems when ever I want to prime it's either raining, or something here.

When I prime stuff, I use latex gloves to hold the minatures, then a spray can handle (this gun like thing you buy for spray cans), and I always wear old clothes, and a face mask (usually goggles too). Then you just hold the mini and spray im down. You can usually tell if you got it all, but you may have to recoat some after they dry and you can really see them. I also go through a few gloves when I do it, cause they rip. BTW using this technique will make your neighbors think you are a weirdo. Which I am, so it's nothing new to me.

I think I use Liquitex Gesso. will have to look when I get home.

cerberez wrote:I find it so annoying and time-consuming to get the models completely covered, using just a spray can. . . turning them upside down for a better angle. . . rolling them around. . . all of which is even more of a pain on a windy day.

any tips?

Get a dowel rod glue the base to the end of the rod that way you don't have to lay it down.

I second the dowel method. I use blue-tac to hold plastic models on, then just pop them off when they're touch-dry and put the next one on. It's fast, you never have to lay down the models in tacky paint-residue, and relatively clean.

Indeed spray cans are the way to go. Personally Ive never liekd the GW spray its too grainy. You can easily paint them in a box on a windy day. That helps ALOT. And oddly enough standing with your back to the wind cuts down the wind as well wonder how that works

Any who to test what primer you like best save some sprue junk, buy a couple different brands and paint a few spots. Youll see what ones you like best. And Ill bet they are all going to be cheaper then GW

so I tried my 'golden' brand black gesso last night, along with some other brush on metal primer I found at a craft store (by a company called Delta creamcoat). the gesso goes on kind of thick, but when I checked it this morning, it had dried perfectly. This saves me a Ton of time, as I always find myself having to go over my minis with a coat of black paint after I prime them (yes even w/ black primer). It seems to cover very well, and doesn't involve me dressing up like a cobra soldier and spaying tiny minatures with latex gloves on.

The delta creamcoat stuff was crap, it's clear, and left a glossy/bubbly finish on my stuff, didnt fill in the cracks very well either. I had also tried the Tamia (sp?) brush on primer, but the fact that you need paint thinner to clean your brushes afterwards kind of put me off it.


Gesso it is!!!!!!

sonofruss wrote:This is funny I use krylon too but do you guys know that krylon makes the primer for gw here in the us. They can't air freight spray paint.

That is no longer the case. Krylon used to make the GW sprays back when they were top notch, but they have since changed manufacturers. I use either Krylon Ultra Flat Black or Quik Color flat black. The Quik Color is .99 cents a can and is the best model primer I've ever used!