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Hey folks, just had a question.

Do primers (more specifically, GW's white primer) have any hazards associated with them in cold weather?  It's right around freezing here, but I've got some models I'm like to get primed.  Anyone know if there are potential porblems with doing it whne it's this cold out?  If there are problems, any suggestion on avoiding them?

I'll be willing to bet the instructions on the can say to use between 50 & 85 degrees Fahrenheit and in low humidity (and speciifically to NOT use in high humidity). At temperatures outside, it messes with the spray, as well as it's curing/drying, and as such can really foul up your miniature(s). Ultimately, the only way to avoid fouling up your figs is to spray only within the temperature variances listed.

One way I found to do it was to spray in a bathroom where the exhaust vent went directly outside. I still had to wear goggles and a respiratior (spray paint contains some extremely harsh chemicals, the kind you don't want to inhale or get in your eyes). If you have a garage that you can heat using radiators and vent, it's not a bad place either. Winter really does suck for trying to get stuff aerosol primed. It's this time of the year that paint on primer comes into it's own...

Last, but not least, you can build a spray booth. I've seriously considered this since at least 1/3rd of the year where I live it's either too cold or too hot (and too humid) to spray. Check out some of the big scale modelling websites/forums (like FSM, Armorama, etc..) and I'm sure some of those fellows will know how to build a good booth that will vent all the gasses safely.

Some people have problems with humidity or cold weather causing a fuzzy or uneven coat, some don't. Always spray a piece of sprue as a test first. Some people who are really sick of running out into the frosty morn' to spray then running back inside again build spray booths.

Edit: What he said...

I recently primed some plastic parts as a test outside while it was below 0 (probably around -10, that's in Celsius by the way) and it didn't come out as well as if I had sprayed them inside. The paint collected in the recesses, as if it was too liquid. Then, I got back in and sprayed in a well ventilated room and opened the windows.

Gaming clubs or stores sometimes offer space to spray paint. If that fails, maybe you have access to an underground parking near your workplace?

JF

If you get really desperate, there is one simple thing you can do. Get a large clear-plastic trash bag and the largest cardboard box that you can find. Apple boxes from the super market work okay, but find bigger ones if possible.

   Cut the box so that one side is open. (imagine a large shoebox). Now tip the box on it's side. Cut open the trash bage and tape it over the open side of the box. You should now basically a sealed box that has one side that is transparent.

   Cut a whole big enough to get your hand though in the trash bag. using left-over bag make a "flap" and tape one end over the top of your hand-whole.

  You should now be able to put your models into the box with a can of spray paint and see what you are doing while priming them. then just pull your hand out and close the flap.

  Viola' a poor-man's paint booth.

I just thought of a way to improve upon your idea, cuda. Get a cheap lazy susan and put it in the bottom of the box. Then it's easy to reach every angle on the minis (well, every angle but the other side, that is).