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Hi guys I'm just wondering how's the quality for the Vallejo acrylic primers and how long can they last typically. Does it last longer than a 400ml spray primer?

short answer : yes

i bought a 200 ml bottle yesterday. i applied it with an airbrush and thinned the primer with golden airbrush medium approx 1:1 and it took about 5 drops to cover 2 terminators with some of the mix still left in the cup. I applied 3 even coats on each. so based on the quality and control afforded by the mix sprayed through an airbrush i'd say its worth it for that alone. Smaller sizes of primer are available.

Yes, they are worth it. I do not thin it at all for my airbrush and it works great. Just know that you really do not need to totally coat the model. You are looking for a thin film, not a colored model.

Also know that they make the primer in different colors. Black, white, grey(a light grey), red, brown, green brown, etc etc.

I use it as well with my airbrush and I m happy with the results.

However, if you are priming metal model put a coat of varnish on them after the primer but before the paint.

The primer chips and scratches easily on metal models.

Yeah, I too have had problems with it on metal. I had a thread open on it other day actually. I am going to be testing a different primer for metal models to see if I can get better results. I am still not convinced if it is the primer or me not letting the primer and models wait to dry enough.

BTW, putting varnish directly over primer defeats the purpose of primer. The primer is supposed to provide a little tooth for the layers of paint to stick to better. If you use varnish before the paint, the main purpose of the primer is gone.

All that said, on plastic or resin, the Vallejo stuff ROCKS!!!

Yes worth it. On metals you MUST leave the primer to cure fully before handling or painting. Allow around 48 hours. After that it's pretty good I think. Not noticed any undue chipping.

Agreed with the rest. I got it and can't believe I ever used spray can stuff!

What about brushing on the primer? Will it work just as well? Perhaps thinned with some water?

After purchasing my models I have no munny left over for an airbrush. Plus I don't really want one, it seems like too much of a hassle.

I also don't like spray primer, which is why I'm interested in this Vallejo stuff.

You don't need to thin it. You can apply by hand, but it's a fairly runny paint, so you need to have good brush control to get a good even coat. It's very easy to disturb / tear as it dries with a skin (outside-in). It will look dry long before it actually is, beware. Airbrush / spraygun is by a long way the best method to apply it.