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I'm getting all kinds of little ugly paint bubbles in my primer and in my paint (I don't know why I painted a whole Space Marine; I just have to strip him now).

I'm using Armory White Primer. I MAY have primed when it was cold/moist outside; but how can I avoid doing this in the wintertime in Portland, OR? I was under cover, and let the minis dry inside where it's warm.

Is my primer the problem (I've heard Krylon is much better)? Is it the weather (I've heard not to prime below 50 degrees)?

Also I'm using Testor's Model Master Acrylic paint, if that matters at all, and some P3 paints. The Testor's seems to bubble, the P3 doesn't, but that could be an isolated case, especially since the model I'm using the Testor's on was stripped with some high-concentrated cleaning stuff; perhaps I didn't clean it off properly and some of the soap is bubbling through?

In any case, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to have to strip 'em again!

I think its because its cold my primers gone all watery even after about 2 mins of shacking when normally its fine

your best bet is to do it indoors

I used to live in Seattle, basically the same climate, I always had a problem with white primer. I eventually just decided to swutch to black because its not temperamental and inclimate weather doesnt affect it. The only suggestion I have for white is that you spray in incredibly light stages of paint. The first application should be almost a mist onto the model. Dont worry about full coverage, thats not what your looking for. You just want to almost introduce the paint to the mini. Let it dry, then repeat again with a light coat. Id say your gonna have to do this about 7-9 times to finish the undercoat. Hopefully this will eliminate the bubble problem, best of luck.

One trick I use is to set the paint cans on the windowsill in the sun to let them warm up before I start painting.

Reposting a reply I made on a similar thread but pertinent here as well:

Where I live the weather ranges in extremes during each season. Right now it is cold and getting colder. I'm still basecoating new models w/ spray. I make sure my spraycan is very well shaken and also heated a bit warmer than room temperature (either immersion in hot water of keep *near* a heat vent for a *short* while, so no worries all you safety marshals, you don't have to scold me about overheated spray cans exploding and killing my family). I have a "painting plank" which is just a wooden board that I can put my models on. Makes for quick transport, which is important. I also have an area reserved for my spray plank (a collapsible tray). I run out, spray quickly, and bring everything back inside. I put the plank w/ the models on a shelf close to the ceiling to accelerate the drying process. I repeat this a couple times to make sure I have an even coat and complete coverage. This has worked w/o issue for me so far.

Spraying in humidity is almost exactly the same process. Stage before going out, very well shaken can, quick spray, bring back inside ASAP. I put the models in front of a fan to accelerate the drying process.

It's also a good idea to experiment with different spray paints. I have a couple brands that I use depending on the application (and weather). I'll generally use the stuff that has a thinner coat during humid weather, doesn't seem to matter in the colder weather because paint and models are exposed for such a short period.

I also live in Portland Or and have had bad luck with both Armory White Primer and Kyrlon White primer. I have found that Krylon camo ultra flat black is very forgiving when it comes to the weather outside. It always gives me a thin even coat. Unfortunately I have not found a reliable white primer yet.

Hmm, that's bad news, Depraved. I'm painting my SM with a really bright color, so I'm worried a black primer just won't work, but perhaps I should try. I should state that I'm inexperienced, so pardon the dumb questions: Will a color like bright orange cover over a black undercoat (come to think of it, I'm having trouble getting it to cover whiter undercoat, too).

Also, where in PDX do you find Krylon?

And Skalk, thanks, I'll try heating my can a bit (should I worry if I submerge it in a tub of hot water for a while? Exploding cans scare me).

Thanks, too, Element. 7-9 coats is a LOT, and I'm lazy, so I'll leave this suggestion for the absolute last ditch.

Immersion in water warmer than room temperature won't hurt anything. Just make sure to dry off the nozzle so you're not blowing water droplets w/ your paint.

Hans Chung-Otterson wrote:Hmm, that's bad news, Depraved. I'm painting my SM with a really bright color, so I'm worried a black primer just won't work, but perhaps I should try. I should state that I'm inexperienced, so pardon the dumb questions: Will a color like bright orange cover over a black undercoat (come to think of it, I'm having trouble getting it to cover whiter undercoat, too).

Also, where in PDX do you find Krylon?

And Skalk, thanks, I'll try heating my can a bit (should I worry if I submerge it in a tub of hot water for a while? Exploding cans scare me).

Thanks, too, Element. 7-9 coats is a LOT, and I'm lazy, so I'll leave this suggestion for the absolute last ditch.

Yeah, it might be less, but I know the thinner the better. I think you should try a test marine with black primer. You would be amazed how bright you can make a color when you use foundation paints. What color are you painting?

Element206 wrote:

Yeah, it might be less, but I know the thinner the better. I think you should try a test marine with black primer. You would be amazed how bright you can make a color when you use foundation paints. What color are you painting?

Testor's "Model Master" Fluorescent Red, which actually looks like Fluorescent Orange. I painted like 3 coats over my white primered SM and it still wasn't fully coated. If I try it again I think I'll mix a teensy bit of white in it to give it that flatter color.

Hans Chung-Otterson wrote:
Also, where in PDX do you find Krylon?

I grew up in Salem, and so i would venture to say that just about any Fred Meyers, or Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, or even Sears (basically any place that sells home improvement stuff and paints should carry Krylon)

Maybe try gray paint, it might not be as temperamental and it still allows bright colors to come through

Hans Chung-Otterson wrote:

Also, where in PDX do you find Krylon?

Ace Hardware

When working up from a black base, It takes several coats to make colors really bright. If you want bright orange, paint the area with a mix of white and orange, wait till this dries and than paint over it with your orange color.