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When it comes to priming is the paint brand that important, I can get a can of white matte spray for 3 dollars from the local craft store, does special stuff like Army Painter or Citadel make a difference?

Test it first on a piece of sprue, but as long as you spray in light (don't overspray) even coats, you should be fine. My self and many other folks here use cheapo hardware store brand spray paints. You should be able to easily find white black and grey, usually from 1-2 bucks a can.

I also use Krylon and Rustoleum Camo sprays for a basecoat and primer in one. There's also a ruddy brown color of primer that is sold by several different brands. Such colored cans usually cost 3-6 dollars.

It has to be thin and effective. Peeling and think is bad...

I've used the Army Painter primer and the Citadel primer, and I find it handles no differently than a nice, cheap can of Krylon or Rustoleum.

I've heard others speak differently, that Citadel and Army Painter lay smoother, but I've noticed no alternate qualities. Since I tried it, I typically rattle Krylon:


DO NOT use the Krylon specific to plastics, it's way too thick, and a bit more permanent than I think you're looking for.

Again, I've also had good results from typical Rustoleum primer, and I've heard such that automotive sandable primer is quite good as well, tho I've no personal experience. I'm not sure I'd grab a no-name brand, only because I wouldn't be sure of how it would handle whilst spraying.

When testing a new brand, keep in mind that you need to adhere to the instructions listed on the can. and keep in mind the current temperatures and humidity levels.

 Eilif wrote:

I also use Krylon and Rustoleum Camo sprays for a basecoat and primer in one. There's also a ruddy brown color of primer that is sold by several different brands. Such colored cans usually cost 3-6 dollars.

I second the use of Krylon Flat Black Camo as a primer. It has the "Fusion Technology" so that it (supposedly) bonds to plastic. I've used about 1/2 a can now, and no issues with it coming off with normal handling during painting.

One thing I noticed that was interesting, is that the P3 White Primer that I got for $10 at my LGS has the exact same spray "tip" that the Krylon has ($4). Makes me wonder if Krylon makes the P3 paints, but P3 puts their sticker on them...*shrug*


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 fenrir1997 wrote:

DO NOT use the Krylon specific to plastics, it's way too thick, and a bit more permanent than I think you're looking for.

Primed with Krylon Flat Black Camo (with the Fusion plastic bonding).

Goes on very nicely...and comes off nicely if necessary with Purple Power

I actually use the wal-mart brand rattle can primer for about $2, and the results are in my gallery. Just for you lazy dakkites, I placed first in the recent armies on parade. I don't think the more expensive brands are that much "better", It is much more important that the primer is applied correctly (multiple thin coats, even coverage, low humidity).

One advantage of Army Painter stuff is getting the exact color you want for a base coat. Otherwise, a cheap spray primer will do just the job you need.

I've only used store bought spray primers (colors available in my country: black, grey and red, for some reason).

I use Krylon white primer when i use a can and Vallejo Surface Primer when I brush on and airbrush on.

I've had success with Halfords plastic primer, so car parts sellers might be worth a look too.

Brand (and line and color, for that matter) is important, inasmuch as it allows us to distinguish between our various personal preferences. Beyond that, not particularly. Some hobby-specific brands have potentially handy gimmicks, like Army Painter's color-matched sprays and brush-on paints (Liquitex does the same thing for the fine arts crowd), but the quality of the finish, ease of use, etc. varies, same as it does with generic sprays.

Personally, I use plain old matte enamel spray paints as a "primer" on plastic. I've had great luck with Walmart's ColorPlace black, which goes on incredibly thin and smooth, while still having sufficient tooth. It's my go-to spray for darker models and has been for years. Their white is also serviceable, but not nearly as impressive.

For metals, the enamel sprays just don't cut it, so I use an actual primer (much better adhesion, more resilient after curing). Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer (same stuff that fenrir1997 uses, but in grey) has treated me rather well, so far. Haven't painted that much metal, though, so I don't have quite the range of experience as I do with the ColorPlace sprays.

Warm your can of paint in hot water for a few minutes before you spray it. Paint flows much better when its warm covers better, dries faster and goes on a lot smoother.

If you're looking for a good coloured primer I highly recommend this brand:

http://www.plutoniumpaint.com/

Great coverage, lays on thin, dries REALLY fast (1-2 mins) and has a pleasant, non-noxious smell (though it's still deadly poison aerosol spray paint so don't go using it indoors etc).

Really great selection of colours, and available at art supply stores for 7 or so dollars a can locally.