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Recently i have been having problems priming my pewter models, im using GW chaos black to prime, im also washing the models with soap and water to remove any releasing agents that may be present on them, any tips?

1 or 2 things come to mind.
1. your not washing the minis good enough(possible but its not rocket science washing things)
2. your paint is bad.
Buy some new paint and try it again. And as I write this, I thought of another common problem. Hows the weather conditions where you paint? Is it wet? humid? cold? Any of those can make paint not stick well

Are you using a spray primer or just the GW chaos black paint? The paint is not a primer, you should use something like paint on gesso or a GW or Armory spray primer to prime your minis (or verious other cheaper spray primers that I have little experience with)

Get a real primer and you will stop having that problem. I swear by black Gesso (white and grey suck and really should not be used) becuase as long as you dont just dip the model the gesso will show all the details and you dont have missed spots from having to spray prime.

Backno wrote:Get a real primer and you will stop having that problem. I swear by black Gesso (white and grey suck and really should not be used) becuase as long as you dont just dip the model the gesso will show all the details and you dont have missed spots from having to spray prime.

What's wrong with Grey Gesso?

I prefer Grey as I can just 'see' it better, and the details too, on the model...

Hmm, I prime with white. The colours come out so much better. I have also undercoated with GW white many years ago (10-15) and those models still exist, strong as ever.

I use an electric toothbrush to clean my models. Works a treat. Once I have an old toothbrush head I use those.

I recently painted an old school vampire from GW. The mini's from about 10-15 years ago and sitting in a box. The pewter went a darker gray, which doesn't look like mould but more like dirt and dust stains. The good old electric toothbrush fixed that up with some hot, soapy water. Just don't expect to clean the model in 2 seconds. Put some effort into cleaning the model otherwise you will have issues later.

Sometimes i have trouble with my GW chaos b lack primer.
Its almost like... it turns rubbery? and peels off

Not sure if you are near a game store that carries it, but I have become a fan of Board to Pieces spray primer. they come in white, grey, and black. I've only used the black but it is amazing.

It goes on smooth and I've sprayed with it snowing and raining outside (I prime on my front porch)

Stupid question but are you rinsing the models after washing them? Primer doesn't stick well to soap either.

I've found that methylated spirits/nail polish remover can help in the really stubborn bits.

GW changed their paint about a year and a half ago. It used to be an actual primer. Now it is more like a black spray paint - almost gloss when it goes on. It is horrible. I have been using Rustoleum Dark Grey (black) Automotive primer and have had wonderful luck with it. No chipping, no peeling, and it is about $4 a can instead of $15. Give it a shot on a test model - it makes a world of difference.

GW's Chaos Black is NOT a primer, and is NOT a suitable replacement for primer.

Use some Krylon spray primer. Comes in white, ruddy brown (red-brown), and black.

Also, when painting metal models you should use some kind of jig/holder. Paint will chip off a metal model just by being touched, especially on edges or points.

Alpharius wrote:

Backno wrote:Get a real primer and you will stop having that problem. I swear by black Gesso (white and grey suck and really should not be used) becuase as long as you dont just dip the model the gesso will show all the details and you dont have missed spots from having to spray prime.

What's wrong with Grey Gesso?

I prefer Grey as I can just 'see' it better, and the details too, on the model...

Have not tried Grey, but I have used White Gesso (the Liquitex brand). It's awful. Goes on uneven and dries horribly lumpy. Where the black lays down smooth and dries flat and even as long as you are careful not to use too many brush strokes the White is impossible to duplicate this effect with.

I've considered trying to mix the two to get a grey. Hopefully the magical qualities of the Black Gesso will impart on the White.

Blue Orphen wrote:Also, when painting metal models you should use some kind of jig/holder. Paint will chip off a metal model just by being touched, especially on edges or points.

QFT, I am currently painting my first set of metal figs. If I look at the mini wrong, the paint and primer will rub off, and metal will show. I washed, scrubbed, rinsed and primed. Maybe I need to prime it again.
But what do you mean by jig/holder? I am assuming some type of matte finish to seal the paint job?

tblock1984 wrote:
But what do you mean by jig/holder? I am assuming some type of matte finish to seal the paint job?

An old paint pot or two, stuck together and the mini fixed to the top with blue tack or similar product. I'm using a very old Citadel pot (the taller ones with the dodgy white lids), big blob of tack and firmly push the model on. This way you're holding something that isn't part of the model and causing edges to rub off.