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I got some Eldar Guardians to paint up in the Biel Tan scheme, however, I need to prime them white to get a decent finish.

I was wondering if I could spray the Vallejo Model Air White (with an airbrush of course) to get my first coat/primer. Can I get away with it? If not, can you recommend any substitutes that can be found in NZ because no place in the country sells the Vallejo Surface primers.

There are lots of things you can use to prime 3M make a great automotive primer for plastic that you can use on mini's pretty sure you'd get that in UN ZUD.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/3M-Primer-Surfacer-1L.aspx?pid=220350#Description

"nuclealosaur" on You tube uses it and says it works fine, haven't tried it myself yet but as soon as my current primer runs out I'll be giving it a go.

Tamiya primer is one of the best too, if you can get it.

The other thing too is that I do know of many top class mini painters who don't primer at all. So long as you give you mini's a good clean in soapy water and make sure they are 100% dry and you don't touch them (put them on a stick while you paint) you shouldn't have any dramas. I sprayed an undercoat of Skull White straight on the plastic on my latest bunch of Orks and they have come up a treat.

Appreciate the quick reply and tips a lot. But another alternative that I can run through my airbrush and doesn't cost damn NZ$30.00 for a can of spray paint. I know that in the UK they cost like NZ$12.00 when converted.

Good news - all Model Air paints can be used as primer. If you go to their website and download the Model Air leaflet PDF it says so right there. I use VMA Red RLM23 to prime my Blood Angels straight onto the plastic - works fine.

I read it as saying "a primer is not usually needed" ? but either way like I said not using a primer is not going to be the end of the world so spray away !

Thanks guys for all the helpful feedback, all I need to do now is wait for that damn white to get sent in.

Just by the by, can you not order Vallejo Primer from OZ or the US ?