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I want to start painting my army, but I just don't have the money to shell out for all of the GW stuff I would need. I think I heard something about Walmart flat black spray paint working, which I would use if someone could vouch for it. As for paints, what are some decent alternatives (I live in the US if it matters)? I don't need/want something proffesional quality, just something that looks reasonably decent. Thank you, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated by both me and my wallet.

Well there are plent of primers, check your local hardware store like ace or lowes, or any craft store. i have used plastic primer work well.

i use nothing but krylon primers, when i dont use krylon i use tamaiya's grey primer. primers also come in different colors such as: grey, white, black, and terracotta, but just about any color can be used as a primer for your models.

ruff wrote:i use nothing but krylon primers, when i dont use krylon i use tamaiya's grey primer. primers also come in different colors such as: grey, white, black, and terracotta, but just about any color can be used as a primer for your models.

Browsing Krylon's website they have an extensive list of many different paints and primers. Which of these do you find to work best for plastic, resin and metal mini's? Also would you recommend any of their other products?

Vallejo and P3 Paints are always good. Theres also army painter and tamiya. If you want to go REALLY cheap, I hear Apple Barrel may be of some use, but it is not as good as some miniature dedicated paints

sydewynder wrote:

ruff wrote:i use nothing but krylon primers, when i dont use krylon i use tamaiya's grey primer. primers also come in different colors such as: grey, white, black, and terracotta, but just about any color can be used as a primer for your models.

Browsing Krylon's website they have an extensive list of many different paints and primers. Which of these do you find to work best for plastic, resin and metal mini's? Also would you recommend any of their other products?

the ones i use are the standard paint walmart sells.. this is a link to it.. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Indoor-Outdoor-Primer-Gray/17253581

ruff wrote:
the ones i use are the standard paint walmart sells.. this is a link to it.. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Indoor-Outdoor-Primer-Gray/17253581

Aha! thank you good sir. Even the color I was looking for.

Reaper paints.

sydewynder wrote:

ruff wrote:
the ones i use are the standard paint walmart sells.. this is a link to it.. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Indoor-Outdoor-Primer-Gray/17253581

Aha! thank you good sir. Even the color I was looking for.

np.. glad i could help..

+1 for Krylon. I use their Indoor/Outdoor White and have had no issues with it. Recently I wanted to do some Thunderwolves in a darker paint scheme but couldn't find black primer, so I used Krylon's Indoor/Outdoor Flat Black spray paint as a primer with no problems either.

For non-GW model paint, I like Vallejo Model Colour and Vallejo Game Colour.

If you own an airbrush, Vallejo has primers are airbrushable right out of the bottle. Very economical and give a really nice, clean, thin coat. Available in a variety of colors too. Since my FLGS started carrying them, they can't keep them in stock.

For cheap and average quality, krylon primers and apple barrel paints are probably your best bet.

I use almost all "cheap" painting products. My resulting paintjobs are not going to win any awards, but they're all solid tabletop quality and always get a postive response from other players. You can check my gallery page to see my results.

Here's what I use:

Spray priming: Cheap black and white spray paint from Walmart, KMart or whatever hardware store is nearby. Every store has their own house brand they all work about the same and usually go for about a buck a can. As with all sprays make sure you are in the appropriate temperature and humidity range for best results.

Colored spray priming: Krylon has an excellent line of extremely flat camo colors as does Rustoleum. Both work great on miniatures. I used Krylon's "Ruddy Brown Primer" (a red/brown color) for my entire IG army.

Brush priming: Liquitex brand Gesso. It's what artists use to prepare their canvases for paint. Liquitex is availalble from any arts or crafts store. It's rediculously cheap, avaiable in a couple of different colors (mostly white and black, but some others also) and it shrinks as it dries so you can apply it quickly and a bit messily without risking loosing detail. Has excellent "tooth" for paint adhesion. I use gesso now more than spray priming as I find it easier and much less messy to just quickly prime models at my desk.

Paints: Craft paints, especially the Delta Ceramcoat brand which is about 20 cents more per bottle but I feel has the best coverage and smoothness of surface of the various craft brands. I do also use some other brands as well, mostly "Folk art". Craft paints aren't as smooth in application as model-specific paints, but they work well. Compare 2 oz of Delta for $1.69 to a half oz of GW for 3.70. That's 7 times less than GW per oz!

Dips: I use Minwax polyshades for all my dipping.
http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2012/01/with-liberty-and-brush-dipping-for-all.html
The equivalents for Army Painter's soft, strong and dark tone dips in Minwax are Pecan, Antique Walnut and Tudor.

Spray Varnishes: For spray varnish I use matte finish from the hardware store. Cheap, and easy to use, but the surface isn't always completely flat, sometimes it has a hint of satin to it.

Brush on Varnish: Flat artists brush-on varnish. Avaialble from arts stores. Many different brands available and very affordable.

Hope this gets you started in the right direction.