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I am looking for a good grey primer for my models, does anyone have any suggestions?

Rustoleum or Krylon Better than GW at a third of the cost

Brotherjulian wrote:Rustoleum or Krylon Better than GW at a third of the cost

im seriously considering changing primers. At 15$ a can, im starting to get the feeling that im being taken advantage of (or all of us are) by the inflated GW prices. Do these options conceal any of the details of the model? Ive always assumed that GW primers were thinned somehow which made their viscosity less than a house hold brand like Krylon. Do you have any troubles with other primers?

@E-206
The main difference i experience with primers is that some needs shaken more than others. But besides that, they're about the same to me. The most important part is getting your mini's primed. It makes GWs water-based paints stick better to the mini's. And one thing i hate is to have a finished model have the paint scratched off at the edges of their claws, swords and what not!

Not sure i'd recommend a brand, though, as you're living a mile or two too far away

But i'm sure anyone would do. Or at least be worth a shot!

Krylon primers work well, black and white. I would assume their grey works just as well.

I've used Rustoleum Camo Black as well.

In short, so long as the plastic is cleaned of skin oils and release agents, black spray paint is black spray paint.



(Waiting for the vehment disagreements... )

Element206 wrote:

Brotherjulian wrote:Rustoleum or Krylon Better than GW at a third of the cost

im seriously considering changing primers. At 15$ a can, im starting to get the feeling that im being taken advantage of (or all of us are) by the inflated GW prices. Do these options conceal any of the details of the model? Ive always assumed that GW primers were thinned somehow which made their viscosity less than a house hold brand like Krylon. Do you have any troubles with other primers?

The GW primer is kind of like those flat marbles that Magic players use for mana. If you buy them at the game store you can get around ten of them for like four or five bucks. If you go to Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, or Wal-Mart for them, you'll get about a hundred for a dollar.

GW spray paints aren't actually different from cheaper brands, they just have a different label on them. The Krylon stuff is pretty much the same thing.

I suggest using Duplicolor Sandable primer, as it has everything that I look for in a primer (thin, flat, sturdy, cheap). I happen to know that the guys over at Privateer Press used to use it before they started their own brand.



So, to some extent you are being taken advantage of. That happens whenever a product is marketed to a smaller market like gamers: they just aren't going to sell enough of them to lower the prices (also we expect out hobby to be expensive).

This is the best stuff I have found.
It is super easy to put an even thin coat on.

I use rustoleum and krylon primers and they have worked out really well for me.

Regarding Depraved's post, I use the other camo colors too. The brown primer makes a great base for reds, the green works well on my IG and the tan has been used to basecoat my Tau.

Excellent, well then, Im thinking I just bought my last can of GW primer, next time I will start with a new, cheaper, equally effective prime. Thanks everyone

Someone forward this thread to GW's hobby product department.

I've used Grey Duracoat, and white Krylon. Both work equally well. I should try a black and see how they compare.

Perhaps I'll do an experiment once there's not snow on the ground.

I use Krylon.

It's cheaper, and I LOVE the adjustable spray head. It really helps with vehicles, trying to get the primer in cracks.

Be aware now that paint and primer aren't exactly the same thing. plain black paint may work but it may flake off too. Especially on metal models, dedicated primers often have an acid component to etch the metal and give you some grip.
I did notice however that the black Krylon can posted before is Krylon Fusion. That's a special line of paint made to bond to plastic

Terraformer wrote:Someone forward this thread to GW's hobby product department.

This thread happens on a number of different forums almost daily. It is a safe bet that the guys at Games Workshop know what people think of their primer.

I'm honestly not sure that they can reduce the price into a competitive range. I mean, Krylon is going to move at least a hundred times more units than Games Workshop could hope to sell, and that kind of success does a lot to lower the price.

Ifurita wrote:I use rustoleum and krylon primers and they have worked out really well for me.

Regarding Depraved's post, I use the other camo colors too. The brown primer makes a great base for reds, the green works well on my IG and the tan has been used to basecoat my Tau.

Agreed. the camo green seems to be working nicely on y son's IG.

I also use Krylon/Rustoleum on my Orks.

Depraved wrote:This is the best stuff I have found.
It is super easy to put an even thin coat on.

Yep, that's my go-to black primer now.

Anyone know a place to get Krylon in Canada?

Honestly guys, if you want the best way to prime, and to stop having to buy can after can of spray paint, get a cheap airbrush. If you are just priming or basecoating you could get decent setup for under a hundred dollars, and paint after that is a lot cheaper; not to mention you are getting thinner and more even coverage.

Just out of curiosity, has there ever been a study done comparing the various primer options on the market to one another?

I use taniya primer it is probs about $10 but it is brilliant..

From a UK side of things I've not found anything better value than the GW spray to be honest.

GW - £8 for 400ml
Car body primer - £7.50 300ml
Vallejo model air grey primer - £1.61 for 17ml
Tamiya spray primer - £4.60 for 100ml

I have no idea if coverage is any different for the different types, but volume for volume GW is not too bad and the result is fine to my eyes and pretty tough.

Those prices above may not be the cheapest and there are likely products I've not looked properly for, but I'm happy with it so far.

I have to chip in tho, the Tamiya primer is SUPERB.

The best primer (as recommended by the 40k radio guys & me) is Rust-Oleum Touch 'n Tone PRIMER. It's made in black and grey and is carried in any Auto Zone in the U.S.

It's really fantastic, coats nicely and incredibly smoothly, and it's $2.99 a bottle. It beats Armory like a red-headed stepchild.