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Is there a way to prime models without using the spray primers from Games Workshop, I can't really go out for a while since I'm bound to the confines of my apartment, and inhaling paint fumes doesn't sound very healthy. To whoever has a solution, thank you for taking the time to answer.

You can prime with a brush on primer like gesso or vallejo's PU primer, or you can not prime at all if you're painting plastic (wash the models in warm water with some dish soap before painting so the paint sticks better and finish off with a coat of varnish to protect them).

Though I think it's more of a gamble if you don't prime at all and you're more likely to damage your paint job down the road, there's some really awesome painters out there who don't prime.

Thanks for the Information, my good man and/or woman. I'll look into getting some Gesso, I know an art supply store that carries it, but I'm not sure where I'll find Vellejo's where I live.

Take a look at this:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Priming_With_Acrylic_Gesso

I don't know what the difference between black and white gesso is (chalk, or sumpthin'), but I managed to get results like this by glopping on a pot of cheapo off-brand black gesso, while Liquitex-label white gesso just caked on as badly as the paintjob on an ebay pro-painted miniature. Maybe I flubbed with the white, but if you go for that I'd say buy a small bottle for testing.

I always use Vallejo's paint on primer. It is great stuff.

Thanks for the link, Vermis.

And yes, Vallejo's primer looks amazing. I'm going to need to find a model shop or something that carries it.

Gesso is way too thick for priming miniatures, you'll lose some details. Why don't you get a big shipping box, like the size of older TV and tip it aside, place plenty of newsprint on floor, have the models on the box they come in, place it one third way in the side way box, the fumes should stay all in the box.

 Big Mac wrote:
Gesso is way too thick for priming miniatures, you'll lose some details. Why don't you get a big shipping box, like the size of older TV and tip it aside, place plenty of newsprint on floor, have the models on the box they come in, place it one third way in the side way box, the fumes should stay all in the box.

Given the epic cloud of fumes created by a spray can I wouldn't really trust that to work. My airbrush station (which is sufficient to remove the fumes from airbrushing) can't deal with the large cloud created by a spray can, I don't imagine an unvented box would stop your house smelling like paint fumes for a long time.

if you are using black GW has their imperial primer which is paint on. I have used it in winter and it works well

Whatever you do, don't spray indoors. I tried it using a similar method to that described above; no overspray went on my floor or walls but my apartment smelled like spraypaint for days...

Going by this thread, Gesso looks fine to me.

I've tried spraying indoors. Big Mac's method might contain the overspray, but the solvent fumes will still get everywhere. It's not just while spraying; the stuff outgasses like mad while the paint dries/cures. I usually leave my minis outside for an hour or so - or if it's raining, they stay in the kitchen under the extractor fan on full blast for a few hours.

I can't talk up Vallejo's grey primer enough. You can find it online including amazon.com. It does have a smell to it (sweet, almost reminds me of over-ripe strawberries), but nothing like the I-know-for-sure-this-is-bad-for-me smell of regular spray paint.

You can also put it in an air brush and spray it on. I have a $20 air brush that works fine for when I do a lot of priming. For individual models it goes on easily with a brush.

Don't thin it except for maybe a little water. When I used to much thinner it would not stay on the model.

Shake the bottle like crazy, it separates readily.

Don't touch the model for a full 24 hours. Two days would be even better. The paint really does need time to cure. If you paint when it looks dry but isn't cured then you'll end up wetting and peeling off the layer of primer.

OK I know I listed a lot of issues with this primer, but it's so convenient. I prime models at my desk when I just need to do touch ups or want to primer one or two models. I can do it indoors, during snowy winters, during humid summers. All the times that spray primer doesn't work, Vallejo's primer does.

I 2nd Vallejo primers.

Is GW "primer" just their paint but in a can?

OP: Whereabouts are you in our great frozen wasteland?

I usually get my Vallejo primer (I've brushed and airbrushed it on and love it!) from http://www.meeplemart.com/ in Toronto.
I'm in Ottawa but they ship quick, the prices are very decent and restock frequently.

I've also found some local shops that carry it sporadically.

 Rahz wrote:
OP: Whereabouts are you in our great frozen wasteland?

I usually get my Vallejo primer (I've brushed and airbrushed it on and love it!) from http://www.meeplemart.com/ in Toronto.
I'm in Ottawa but they ship quick, the prices are very decent and restock frequently.

I've also found some local shops that carry it sporadically.

I'm in Montreal. I figure if Toronto to Ottawa is quick Delivery, then it shouldn't take much longer to get to Montreal, thanks for the link, most of the hobby shop options I have nearby are for trains or RC vehicles, and Games Workshop, so paint selection is limited.

Just checked the site, I need white primer and they're out of stock, I'll check back since the prices are reasonable.