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So I have always used Krylon white spray to undercoat my models and I have discovered how easy it is to over prime models.

I was looking at a couple of threads and some people used Vallejo White primer in the bottle. I am curious on anyone's experience with this.

Is it easy to brush on?
Should you use it exclusively with an airbrush?
Does it need thinned at all?
Do folks prefer this over spray primers?

Thanks all!

 Havok210 wrote:
Is it easy to brush on?

Yes.

Should you use it exclusively with an airbrush?

You don't have to, but it works better in an airbrush.

Does it need thinned at all?

Maybe. That depends on your needle size and pressure. I do not thin it myself.

Do folks prefer this over spray primers?

Yes.

Just echoing what Scooty said, hes dead nuts on that regard. I just ordered a 200ml bottle after running a 6ml test run of the stuff on some models and love it. Save the ozone, save money! Use an airbrush, no money!

I've brushed on the Vallejo primer a few times, it works fine, but if given the option between spray can primer, airbrush Vallejo primer and hairy brush Vallejo primer, my order would be...

1. Airbrush Vallejo primer
2. Spray primer
3. Hairy brush Vallejo primer.

I like my primer to be a nice smooth coat so that subsequent coats are smoother, that's harder to achieve when brushing on the primer.

Honestly, even though I have an airbrush I usually just spray can prime my models because it's faster than setting up the airbrush and cleaning the airbrush when I'm done. I'll only bother airbrush priming a model if it's something I care a lot about (centerpiece models and such).

AllSeeingSkink wrote:
I've brushed on the Vallejo primer a few times, it works fine, but if given the option between spray can primer, airbrush Vallejo primer and hairy brush Vallejo primer, my order would be...

1. Airbrush Vallejo primer
2. Spray primer
3. Hairy brush Vallejo primer.

I like my primer to be a nice smooth coat so that subsequent coats are smoother, that's harder to achieve when brushing on the primer.

Honestly, even though I have an airbrush I usually just spray can prime my models because it's faster than setting up the airbrush and cleaning the airbrush when I'm done. I'll only bother airbrush priming a model if it's something I care a lot about (centerpiece models and such).

Is it difficult to get a smooth coat brushing it on?

I should say I've only tried the grey, not the white, but yeah, you won't get a solid smooth coat in a single pass of Vallejo primer with a hairy brush like you can with a spray can or an airbrush. It's quite thin, so it's not much different to brushing on a thinned coat of regular paint.

Just use Vallejo Surface Primer. Stuff works like a charm. Spray or brush. Spray however is better to get a smoother finish.

100% agree with Scooty, he covered it all. I really like my Vallejo primers applied with airbrush. Only time I'm going to manually brush it on, is for some transparent models I'll be getting soon that will have some non-transparent bits.

I have no complaints with Vallejo Surface Primer. I found that spray-priming doesn't get all the little spots, so I got the brush-on for touch-ups and for small fiddly bits (e.g. Raging Heroes Blood Vestals arms). I don't have an airbrush so I can't comment on how VSP works through one.

The Vallejo Surface primer is great through an airbrush and the best part, IMO is the variety of colors available. I have noticed that it doesn't stick that well to pewter minis though. The couple that I have primed with it chipped very easily. Plastic minis have ended with a very durable finish.

helotaxi wrote:
The Vallejo Surface primer is great through an airbrush and the best part, IMO is the variety of colors available. I have noticed that it doesn't stick that well to pewter minis though. The couple that I have primed with it chipped very easily. Plastic minis have ended with a very durable finish.

I've had the same experience, albeit brushing it on.

I use black, grey, and white, both brushed and airbrushed on.

White is a bit tricky as I find I get a lot of dry tip on the needle while using it.

Grey is a very light grey and I now use this more than white. I usually spray white over the grey now to do further pre-shading.

I don't think its as resilient as can primer as I am able to strip it much more easily.

 ScootyPuffJunior wrote:

 Havok210 wrote:
Is it easy to brush on?

Yes.

Should you use it exclusively with an airbrush?

You don't have to, but it works better in an airbrush.

Does it need thinned at all?

Maybe. That depends on your needle size and pressure. I do not thin it myself.

Do folks prefer this over spray primers?

Yes.

This.

As many others have said, its good stuff.

This is also referred to as the "surface primer". Give it a while to fully cure however.

helotaxi wrote:
The Vallejo Surface primer is great through an airbrush and the best part, IMO is the variety of colors available. I have noticed that it doesn't stick that well to pewter minis though. The couple that I have primed with it chipped very easily. Plastic minis have ended with a very durable finish.

I've never had a problem with it on metal. Sticks perfectly, no chipping even with handling. Metal minis have ended with a very durable finish. Also going to echo that I find it much easier to apply with an airbrush.

Just adding to the litany of praise for Vallejo Primer. I've brushed and airbrushed with ease. Recommend leaving it "cure" for about 24hours or at least overnight.