Primer needed when basecoating with an airbrush?

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**Ouze**

OK, so I'm working on some Iron Warriors. Typically with models that color, like my necrons, I would basecoat my models with a black enamel spraycan, and then a day or two later, hand paint boltgun metal or whatever on.

I'm wondering if I can cut out the middleman here. Would it work to just basecoat with Boltgun Metal directly from my airbrush, and skip the black enamel basecoat step? Would the paint have enough "tooth" or would there be a problem? No guesses, please - I'm looking for firsthand experience, i.e. someone who does this with success or tried this and it failed somehow.

I hate cleaning out my airbrush so I'm not inclined to do this on a test model, rather then asking.

**winterdyne**

Yes, you absolutely need to prime.
This said, once you've primed, use a zenital technique with the airbrush for the metal and it'll look ace.

**Kilkrazy**

Priming is always best.

Real primer prepare the model's surface and forms a key for ordinary paint to stick to, the "tooth", as you put it.

I do spray bases without priming.

That's using Montana Gold sprays BTW.

**Ouze**

Thank you. Priming it is.

**ArtfcllyFlvrd**

I've done straight paint with no problems. Not a lot but with thinned P3 paint it has worked fine for me.

**spireland**

It may also depend on how clean the model is, and what its sticking too. I've found metal is tougher to get paint to stick to then plastic, so with metal I never skip proper priming.

Plastic, I'm a bit more lazy with.

**Ouze**

I wash all my models in soapy water first, for what that's worth.

**Gunzhard**

You are going to have a much easier go of it if you prime first... bottom line.

**SilverMK2**

I've found that brighter colours require a primer more than darker colours.

**bubber**

Yes - you still need to prime.
However it is possible to decant spray primer so you can put it through an airbrush.
PM me if you want to know how.
NOTE this is NOT for kids to try.

**Ouze**

No, I have plenty of spraypaint, and have no problem using it, was just wondering about a timesaver. Sounds like the consensus it I need to do it, though.