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.

What's a good all around spray primer? One that bonds well to metal and plastic, works on infantry + the large flat areas on tanks, doesn't get chipped easily, and doesn't cost 15$ a can.

The GW spray has been coming out pretty bad gritty and the .99c stuff goes on to thick or chips off to easy.

Maybe I'm just being to picky and cheap but I figured I'd ask before I waste any more money.

i prefer doing the .99 cheap paint for mass model priming which doesn't happen too often but i usually use the gw primers and the army painter primers. outta those 2 the army painter primer is a very good primer to use. it goes on thin and still maintains quality throughout the painting process. but is really annoying to strip.

I get my primer from walmart for only 5 bucks i think its call krylon primer and its very good for the price

Army painter is good, as is P3. I just started using some of the Flames of War stuff, it's kind of a military uniform green, since I needed to prime a Rhino and didn't want to have to do a basecoat over black primer. It was around 11 or 12 bucks, I think.

an00bis wrote:I get my primer from walmart for only 5 bucks i think its call krylon primer and its very good for the price

I also use krylon and its my personal favorite. It sprays evenly, coats nicely, doesnt chip, and is readily available almost everywhere.

I'll swear by the Board to Pieces brand. I think it is a little cheaper than GW (it may have just been the store). It was so good the models only needed one pass and I didn't see any detail loss. Relevant link... The best thing is to try a couple of brands over time and see which is best for you.

Quick Color from Home Depot i think is the best for .99. It applies exactly like GW primer and takes about the same time to dry. Just be sure to do two things if purchasing said product: 1. pay attention to the cap on the primer and make sure it is flat as it doesnt say on the can flat or gloss. 2. Shake the can REALLY well as they tend to sit for awhile.

I support krylon to no end no loss of detail huge array of colors ( i use gray) and very cheap!

on a sidenote it has a turnable nozzle thing to spray at odd angles

I swear by the krylon camouflage colors. Comes in tan, black, green and brown, is $4.44 a can at walmart, is pours (think along the lines of the paint on military vehicles), and goes on smooth. The one thing you have to get used to is that it goes on liquid, but dries super flat and therefore does not obscure any fine details.

the primer i use is called armory its comes in black grey and white its only 5 bucks a can and its dust free so it works really well i love it check it out...http://paizo.com/store/gameAids/paintingSupplies/paint/theArmory

I use 99 cent walmart stuff for black and white. Seems to work as well or better than GW type primers. Other colors I tend to use specifically miniatures stuff. Army painter stuff can be tricky - I had it go wrong on me with one batch of catachans. Read the directions carefully.

GW is expensive. Armoury leaves dusty/rough coats. Duplicolor Sandable Primer, 5-6 bucks a can, from Advance Auto parts, is the stuff.

I use the cheapo Walmart matte/flat black spray and I've had no problems, whatsoever. Enough tooth to paint on, no issues with obscured detail (although crappy technique will give you crappy results, no matter what you use), pretty good coverage... I see no reason to pay more if the cheap stuff works just fine.

I like acrylic gesso instead of primer. $8 will buys you a bottle that lasts you darn near forever. Thin it 1:1 with water/flow-aid and add just a touch of Payne's gray to get the mix to a mid-tone gray and you've got the smoothest surface prep around. You don't even have to be real delicate with it, just glop it on everywhere with a big brush, it shrinks down real tight to every little detail as it dries.

You don't have to spend time prepping to avoid over spray, the weather doesn't effect it, and you can paint on gesso indoors where there is enough light to see what your doing (I do most of my hobby-ing in the evening).

Krylon Primer white grey and black all you ever need. nice spray tips now too.

grizgrin wrote:GW is expensive. Armoury leaves dusty/rough coats. Duplicolor Sandable Primer, 5-6 bucks a can, from Advance Auto parts, is the stuff.

Really I've never had a problem with dust from armory ever!

Well, admittedly it's not the traditional dust like you get form high humidity, but its just not a smooth finish. It's a bit grainy when it goes on.