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Sup Dakka,
So I bought a can of primer from my local hardware store, I'm new to warhammer 40k, I'm already way over my budget, and I won't have my models until next week to try out the primer. I asked the guy in my local warhammer store about krylon primer and he suggests I dont waste my time with gakky primers and that I should only use primers specifically made for warhammer models( GW, P3). He told me that cheap primers will A:ruin the models detail due to expansion when drying instead of shrinking and B: there is a chance the primer will melt the model. Istead of taking his word for it I thought I'd ask dakka for a couple more opinions.

This is the can of primer I bought for about 6 bucks.( 50-75 percent cheaper than the GW,p3 stuff)

Has any one used this primer? If so is it any good?
Should I not waste my time and listen to the guy at the hobbie store, bite the bullet and buy some 15-20$ primer from GW or p3?
Is there maybe a better alternative in the 5-10$ range if the stuff I currrent have is no good?

As much as I like saving money I do not want to waste my time/money and ruin my models over 10-15$.

Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks dakka.

I don't know about that specific kind of primer, but you definitely don't need to use the GW/P3/whatever brand of $15-20 primer.

Personally, I use Rustoleum, this specifically (http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/painters-touch-ultra-cover-2x/primer) and I think works fantastically.

Just make sure when you're in the hardware store, you get just primer, not primer+paint.

That's the primer I use and it works great. I have even used it on humid days with no problems (however, this is not recommended). Just make sure you shake it enough and use the recommended spraying distance and you should be fine.

I've used this stuff a lot, it works great man. Only thing is you HAVE to be careful, spray from 8 inches (ish) away, and in a sweeping motion, starting the spray off the model and dragging it across back and forth, keep moving your model in all directions as you spray to cover everything. I'd recommend gluing the model to the base, add whatever to the base (sand, rocks etc) with glue before priming as the primer will help seal these down. Also, stick tack the base to a bottle cap or something so you can move it around without touching the model.

The only thing I've found with this primer, is good luck stripping it if you screw up the primer job. I sprayed too close to a couple highly detailed chaos marines because I got distracted, completely clogged the details. I tried for weeks to strip the paint off it so start over but the primer would NOT come off, at all so those models are basically garbage now.

Good luck!

Marshal86 wrote:
That's the primer I use and it works great. I have even used it on humid days with no problems (however, this is not recommended). Just make sure you shake it enough and use the recommended spraying distance and you should be fine.

Hey thanks for the feedback,

So you have used this exact krylon primer with no issues with the detail being ruined? do you just spray on 1 heavy coat or many very thin coats?

That guy is full of gak and trying to make a buck. Krylon Primer works great as long as you get the matte/flat and not the Enamel. The Enamel takes longer to dry and doesn't like acrylic paint so it will take more coats to get it right.

What you have should work great, I've used the black and white and had great success. My only caution is make sure to shake it for about 2 minutes to really ensure it's ready to spray and then spray about 8" away to reduce the chance of blotchy spots. Remember, you can always go back and respray, but its harder to remove bad primer.

Best of luck!

 Bi'ios wrote:
I don't know about that specific kind of primer, but you definitely don't need to use the GW/P3/whatever brand of $15-20 primer.

Personally, I use Rustoleum, this specifically (http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/painters-touch-ultra-cover-2x/primer) and I think works fantastically.

Just make sure when you're in the hardware store, you get just primer, not primer+paint.

Hey I don't want to use white primer and I can't seem to find this primer in flat grey. Have you used the flat black? If so do you recommend it as well?

I love Krylon primer, but it's getting harder to find around here. Prime away dude...

Redflex wrote:

Marshal86 wrote:
That's the primer I use and it works great. I have even used it on humid days with no problems (however, this is not recommended). Just make sure you shake it enough and use the recommended spraying distance and you should be fine.

Hey thanks for the feedback,

So you have used this exact krylon primer with no issues with the detail being ruined? do you just spray on 1 heavy coat or many very thin coats?

Same stuff. I usually do thin coats, I start spraying off the model and do a quick pass forward, back, and then sides. Add additional coats for required coverage. I used it for all of my painted stuff in my gallery.

Awesome thanks for all the help guys,

I'm sticking with the krylon primer and I think I'm going to also get black as I'm doing a black legion themed army. After reading all the feedback it seems as long as I'm careful while spraying from a reasonable distance and the can is shaked well before use I'll be ok.

Once again thanks dakka.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Marshal86 wrote:

Redflex wrote:

Marshal86 wrote:
That's the primer I use and it works great. I have even used it on humid days with no problems (however, this is not recommended). Just make sure you shake it enough and use the recommended spraying distance and you should be fine.

Hey thanks for the feedback,

So you have used this exact krylon primer with no issues with the detail being ruined? do you just spray on 1 heavy coat or many very thin coats?

Same stuff. I usually do thin coats, I start spraying off the model and do a quick pass forward, back, and then sides. Add additional coats for required coverage. I used it for all of my painted stuff in my gallery.

Nice, those models in your gallery at amazing nice work. Hopefully one day I can post pictures like that?

Thanks marshal cheers.

Redflex wrote:

 Bi'ios wrote:
I don't know about that specific kind of primer, but you definitely don't need to use the GW/P3/whatever brand of $15-20 primer.

Personally, I use Rustoleum, this specifically (http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/painters-touch-ultra-cover-2x/primer) and I think works fantastically.

Just make sure when you're in the hardware store, you get just primer, not primer+paint.

Hey I don't want to use white primer and I can't seem to find this primer in flat grey. Have you used the flat black? If so do you recommend it as well?

I use the black and the white. You get a nice ultra flat finish that's quite durable, and it shrinks down perfect. I've painted about 150 models using it, in various conditions (hot, cold, raining, indoors, outdoors) and I havent had a single bad job

I like the Duplicolor Sandable Auto Primer, and have used it since it was recommended by Aly McVey (of Studio McVey) on the Privateer Press forums back when they were working for PP. It comes in black, white, grey and red oxide.

Unless you're painting for a golden daemon, it really doesn't matter what type of primer you use. And if you are good enough to paint a golden daemon entry, you really don't need our advice. You can find just about any primer white/grey/black color you want for like a dollar at Walmart or Home Depot.

 Bi'ios wrote:
I don't know about that specific kind of primer, but you definitely don't need to use the GW/P3/whatever brand of $15-20 primer.

Personally, I use Rustoleum, this specifically (http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/painters-touch-ultra-cover-2x/primer) and I think works fantastically.

Just make sure when you're in the hardware store, you get just primer, not primer+paint.

I can second this primer - I use it ...a LOT, and my minis look great.

One note - when you spray a primer, use sweeping motions across the model - in short bursts. this limits the amount of paint hitting it at any one time - so you don't get it on too thick.

Practice first on a piece of spur or a tin can or something - you will get the hang of it.

Best of luck!

I use the same primer as Bi'ios, and it's worked great so far. The only thing is make sure you are the proper length away, quick spray bursts from side to side, and make sure it's not too wet/humid outside (these rules apply to any spray though). I have used black, grey, and white...all with success. I didn't like the white personally, but it was because of poor choice in color scheme on my part, not the paint.