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Anyone have any experience with paint on white or grey primer as opposed to spray on primer?

I just can't seem to get white primer to spray on correctly; it's usually too thick and obscures the details of the models. My latest attempt was today with a squad of soon-to-be Imperial Fists. I plan on stripping the primer tomorrow :(

Does Michael's carry a specific brand that people have had luck with? I imagine a brush on primer will go on thinner and maintain the model's details.

If anyone knows of a name and where to buy it, please let me know!

Vallejo Surface Primer can be both airbrushed and applied with a brush. You could also try gesso which is readily available in arts & craft stores.

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
Vallejo Surface Primer can be both airbrushed and applied with a brush. You could also try gesso which is readily available in arts & craft stores.

Looks like Liquitex makes a Gray brush on Gesso (surface primer). Michael's should carry it. Thanks!

What are you using to thin your primer? I have been using Vallejo paints with a 70% rubbing alcohol.

I get the paint to a slightly-under 2% milk consistency. (sorry, I am from Wisconsin.. so everything is compared to milk).

Alcohol isn't a good thinner for water based paints - or the primer. Alcohol doesn't properly mix with the paint and evaporates faster than the water in the paint.
Use (destilled) water or Vallejo Airbrush Thinner.

I don't thin the Vallejo Airbrush Primer, I apply it with a H&S Evo using a 0.4 needle.

 OIF Knight wrote:
Anyone have any experience with paint on white or grey primer as opposed to spray on primer?

I just can't seem to get white primer to spray on correctly; it's usually too thick and obscures the details of the models. My latest attempt was today with a squad of soon-to-be Imperial Fists. I plan on stripping the primer tomorrow :(

Does Michael's carry a specific brand that people have had luck with? I imagine a brush on primer will go on thinner and maintain the model's details.

If anyone knows of a name and where to buy it, please let me know!

Spray on (can or airbrush) is a bazillion times easier than brush on.
(I have done both).

What kind of spray on primer are you using?

Priming with a rattle can should be done in quick sweeping motions, to not hit the model very long, and from several angles - go for very thin even blasts.

Temp, humidity and distance from the model can have a HUGE impact. There are actually a LOT of threads on spray primers - check them out (responded to two just in the last week).

Finally, see if any of your friends have had success with spray on primer, and watch their technique if you like their results. Seriously...I had a friend almost give up on priming as he had described EXACTLY the same issues you have mentioned - he just had to adjust his technique.

best of luck!

I'm no pro, but I've used both methods and agree with davethepak, some good tips. If you still don't get on with the spray you could buy a can and ask your local GW store if they will spray it (the manager at my local store is happy to).

Alternatively using just normal model paints (i just use GW but I'm sure your preferred paints will work fine) and a little water has always worked fine for me. I've never used distilled water or thinners and the base coat has done what it's supposed to. Just don't apply the paint too thick.

Spray is the best way forward though if you can get the hang of it

Don't buy GW Imperial primer- too thin, like a slightly thicker ink.