Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What primer is everyone using?

Spray or paint or airbrush?

I'm reading online about people liking the vallejo surface primer. I happen to have a bottle, but it is a few years old. Should I paint or airbrush it on?

Nearly exclusively Badger Stynylrez from an airbrush.

It can be brushed on, but I haven't tried except for a touchup or two on a model due to clumsyness.

Dupli-Color Sandable Auto Primer, either black or grey.

I use Chaos Black from GW. Its a great basecoat for most models I have. (space marines)

I like Valjeo but man its hard to find them in my area.

I live in an area with bad weather for most of the year, so brush on primer is a God send.

I use the vallejo stuff myself, brush it on, and the results are pretty damn good.

I would say to the OP not to worry about it being 2-3 years old. Give it a good shake and it comes out fine.

I've still got Citadel Goblin Green from the 1990s, and it's fine.

I generally prefer white, spray-on primer, for my preferred painting technique.

Anything that will stick to plastic, and has a matte finish. Though for blood angels I prime with Red Pepper (semi-gloss) paint from Krylon's fusion brand, then put a wash of Reikland Fleshshade over the whole thing to shade, and improve the surface for taking paint.

I have a can of GW chaos black, its roughly 10 years old and works fine.

Currently have AP primers

I am currently enjoying the use if Hycote grey plastic primer. At £8 for a big can it's probably not the cheapest but it's been giving me great results on vehicles and terrain.

I use Vajello primer - I have black, grey and white - that I apply with an airbrush. Just use maybe 10% water and 10% flow improver to reduce chance of clogging.

Is this the duplicolor that everyone is using?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/dupli-color-3391/chemicals---fluids-16461/paint---body-repair-16614/paint---primer-surfacers---lacquer-based-17756/09d72cfb8a99/dupli-color-12-ounce-black-sandable-spray-primer/dap1698/4268080

Do a test spray on some plastic sprue. Let it dry than do paint your base coat.

I would recommend spraying with whatever and than scour the model with a toothbrush before proceeding to your base coat.

Secondly use a sharp modeling knife to shave off unwanted paint such as bubbles grit dust and other impurities.

 Phobos wrote:
Is this the duplicolor that everyone is using?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/dupli-color-3391/chemicals---fluids-16461/paint---body-repair-16614/paint---primer-surfacers---lacquer-based-17756/09d72cfb8a99/dupli-color-12-ounce-black-sandable-spray-primer/dap1698/4268080

Yes. What I like about the dupli-color primer, aside from it's very affordable price, is it is very tolerant of high heat and humidity which is a constant where I live (Metro Houston, TX). It goes on very matte, doesn't obscure detail, and has great bite.

I just started recently using Vallejo surface primer through an airbrush and I would say it's technically better than dupli-color, but for quick priming, rattle can is hard to beat, espeically if doing large vehicles and scenery.

I haven't tried brushing on the Vallejo primer so couldn't speak to how well it goes on with a brush.

Ulfhednar_42 wrote:
Nearly exclusively Badger Stynylrez from an airbrush.

I've been spraying Vallejo primer through my airbrush for the past couple of years, but decided to try Stynylrez and was absolutely blown away by it. It goes on SO smooth and flat, it's amazing. My only complaint is that I bought the grey, which is almost exactly the same color as stock GW plastic so it's really hard to be sure of coverage. I'll get bottles of black and white next time I make an Amazon order...

 Lord of Deeds wrote:

 Phobos wrote:
Is this the duplicolor that everyone is using?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/dupli-color-3391/chemicals---fluids-16461/paint---body-repair-16614/paint---primer-surfacers---lacquer-based-17756/09d72cfb8a99/dupli-color-12-ounce-black-sandable-spray-primer/dap1698/4268080

Yes. What I like about the dupli-color primer, aside from it's very affordable price, is it is very tolerant of high heat and humidity which is a constant where I live (Metro Houston, TX). It goes on very matte, doesn't obscure detail, and has great bite.

I just started recently using Vallejo surface primer through an airbrush and I would say it's technically better than dupli-color, but for quick priming, rattle can is hard to beat, espeically if doing large vehicles and scenery.

I haven't tried brushing on the Vallejo primer so couldn't speak to how well it goes on with a brush.

I'm not too far from you and that's one of the reasons I've kind of stayed away from rattle cans. Good to know it works well; I'll get some tomorrow and try it out.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

hyperfocal wrote:

Ulfhednar_42 wrote:
Nearly exclusively Badger Stynylrez from an airbrush.

I've been spraying Vallejo primer through my airbrush for the past couple of years, but decided to try Stynylrez and was absolutely blown away by it. It goes on SO smooth and flat, it's amazing. My only complaint is that I bought the grey, which is almost exactly the same color as stock GW plastic so it's really hard to be sure of coverage. I'll get bottles of black and white next time I make an Amazon order...

I'll give this a try. I don't use my airbrush as often as I would like. Last time I used the vallejo stuff, it took me longer to clean than to do the models.

 Phobos wrote:
I'm reading online about people liking the vallejo surface primer. I happen to have a bottle, but it is a few years old. Should I paint or airbrush it on?

Throw it in the garbage.

If you absolutely want to use a water-base primer, Stynylrez is your best option. If you want to use something even better, Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner.

Imperial Primer. Because can't find any others at the moment.

I want to use Lyman Medium really

I only airbrush it and generally always use Testors flat enamel. This comes in just about any color you need and does your prime and base coat all in one shot. You can get the little bottles for a few bucks and thin with about 15-20% thinner and it is perfect. It bonds way better than acrylic and the flat has a great 'tooth' for the subsequent acrylic paint. However, I spray on the primary color the mini will be when done and it sames TONS of time. Why paint the same area 2-3 times???

I prefer PP's P3 white primer as it goes on with good coverage and a much thinner layer than most, preserving detail. I also like the Army Painter color primers for quick work, altough it's not as thin and you have to be careful to use a color that doesn't match the plastic you are spaying.

I use plastikote primer. It comes in a spray can and is reasonably priced.

For small models I used the Vallejo airbrush primer, but just brush it on... this was mostly because there was a bit of bad weather and I then couldn't spray outside and couldn't buy any Imperial Primer for a looong time as it was out of stock. This primer does sometimes end up with a bit of a shiny effect but paint works fine.

For reference the Citadel spray paints aren't usually primers (unless they say) but they do have some kind of bonding agent so you don't need to use a primer with the citadel sprays as well. That could work well... I just don't use them as they don't have the colours I use as bases (eg: khorne red or kantor blue).

Vallejo polyurethane primer, with airbrush or brush depending on the task. Just adding a little bit of flow improver for airbrushing. I kept white and black primers a few years and they are fine, same goes for paints (after shaking >_< ).
In airtight bottles, lots of paints / primers won't turn bad if kept away from low / high temperature and away from sunlight (light is not really a problem because UV won't reach the bottle's content but IR will heat it).

Halfords Grey Primer.
Or Halfords Red Primer for some subjects.

Cheaper than GW and works fine.
I won't touch black or white primer.

 Flinty wrote:
I am currently enjoying the use if Hycote grey plastic primer. At £8 for a big can it's probably not the cheapest but it's been giving me great results on vehicles and terrain.

My man. I use Hycote matte black or grey all te time, found it to be better and cheaper than any 'wargaming' brand. I know a ton of people who use Halfords too. Auto-primers are a good shout.

ScootyPuffJunior wrote:

 Phobos wrote:
I'm reading online about people liking the vallejo surface primer. I happen to have a bottle, but it is a few years old. Should I paint or airbrush it on?

Throw it in the garbage.

If you absolutely want to use a water-base primer, Stynylrez is your best option. If you want to use something even better, Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner.

Interesting. I vaguely recall that brand as a Tamiya / Japanese thing. Don't really know if I can get it in the USA, or that it would be worth the hassle to import.

TarkinLarson wrote:I use plastikote primer. It comes in a spray can and is reasonably priced.

For small models I used the Vallejo airbrush primer, but just brush it on... this was mostly because there was a bit of bad weather and I then couldn't spray outside and couldn't buy any Imperial Primer for a looong time as it was out of stock. This primer does sometimes end up with a bit of a shiny effect but paint works fine.

For reference the Citadel spray paints aren't usually primers (unless they say) but they do have some kind of bonding agent so you don't need to use a primer with the citadel sprays as well. That could work well... I just don't use them as they don't have the colours I use as bases (eg: khorne red or kantor blue).

I've looked at the Citadel stuff and they are kinda coy about whether or not it is actually a primer. They imply it is, but stop just short of actually saying so. $20 a can is kind of eye watering but if it really is paint and primer in one, then I can see the value there in time saved.

ChargerIIC wrote:I prefer PP's P3 white primer as it goes on with good coverage and a much thinner layer than most, preserving detail. I also like the Army Painter color primers for quick work, altough it's not as thin and you have to be careful to use a color that doesn't match the plastic you are spaying.

I can't find P3 primer for sale anywhere. Not even on Privateer Press website. In fact the majority of the P3 paint line is out of stock. I wonder if PP is discontinuing it, or changing manufacturers. I think they used to use Coat d'Arms (the bottles look exactly like Coat d'Arms, and they say made in UK)

sockwithaticket wrote:

 Flinty wrote:
I am currently enjoying the use if Hycote grey plastic primer. At £8 for a big can it's probably not the cheapest but it's been giving me great results on vehicles and terrain.

My man. I use Hycote matte black or grey all te time, found it to be better and cheaper than any 'wargaming' brand. I know a ton of people who use Halfords too. Auto-primers are a good shout.

Hycote isn't available in the USA to my knowledge, so I can't test it out.

I've been reading a few things about gesso. I've actually thought about using it years and years ago but didn't because I figured it would clog details.

Krylon rattle can primers from any hardware/grocery store - available in black, white and gray. I have sprayed that stuff in single digit weather, in the rain, in the heat, etc. It always goes on nice and dries smooth.

 Phobos wrote:

ScootyPuffJunior wrote:

 Phobos wrote:
I'm reading online about people liking the vallejo surface primer. I happen to have a bottle, but it is a few years old. Should I paint or airbrush it on?

Throw it in the garbage.

If you absolutely want to use a water-base primer, Stynylrez is your best option. If you want to use something even better, Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner.

Interesting. I vaguely recall that brand as a Tamiya / Japanese thing. Don't really know if I can get it in the USA, or that it would be worth the hassle to import.

Tamiya is it’s own thing, but Mr Finishing is indeed Japanese, however, it is readily available in the United States.

As a member of the common rabble, I generally use Rustoleum black primer. Similar to Krylon...cheap and effective for your average painter.

I'll splurge on GW Chaos Black for nicer models, but the drop in quality isn't significant enough to justify the price difference for your average space marine.

Sold at Walmart in the paint/DIY section.

 Phobos wrote:

ScootyPuffJunior wrote:

 Phobos wrote:
I'm reading online about people liking the vallejo surface primer. I happen to have a bottle, but it is a few years old. Should I paint or airbrush it on?

Throw it in the garbage.

If you absolutely want to use a water-base primer, Stynylrez is your best option. If you want to use something even better, Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner.

Interesting. I vaguely recall that brand as a Tamiya / Japanese thing. Don't really know if I can get it in the USA, or that it would be worth the hassle to import.

TarkinLarson wrote:I use plastikote primer. It comes in a spray can and is reasonably priced.

For small models I used the Vallejo airbrush primer, but just brush it on... this was mostly because there was a bit of bad weather and I then couldn't spray outside and couldn't buy any Imperial Primer for a looong time as it was out of stock. This primer does sometimes end up with a bit of a shiny effect but paint works fine.

For reference the Citadel spray paints aren't usually primers (unless they say) but they do have some kind of bonding agent so you don't need to use a primer with the citadel sprays as well. That could work well... I just don't use them as they don't have the colours I use as bases (eg: khorne red or kantor blue).

I've looked at the Citadel stuff and they are kinda coy about whether or not it is actually a primer. They imply it is, but stop just short of actually saying so. $20 a can is kind of eye watering but if it really is paint and primer in one, then I can see the value there in time saved.

ChargerIIC wrote:I prefer PP's P3 white primer as it goes on with good coverage and a much thinner layer than most, preserving detail. I also like the Army Painter color primers for quick work, altough it's not as thin and you have to be careful to use a color that doesn't match the plastic you are spaying.

I can't find P3 primer for sale anywhere. Not even on Privateer Press website. In fact the majority of the P3 paint line is out of stock. I wonder if PP is discontinuing it, or changing manufacturers. I think they used to use Coat d'Arms (the bottles look exactly like Coat d'Arms, and they say made in UK)

sockwithaticket wrote:

 Flinty wrote:
I am currently enjoying the use if Hycote grey plastic primer. At £8 for a big can it's probably not the cheapest but it's been giving me great results on vehicles and terrain.

My man. I use Hycote matte black or grey all te time, found it to be better and cheaper than any 'wargaming' brand. I know a ton of people who use Halfords too. Auto-primers are a good shout.

Hycote isn't available in the USA to my knowledge, so I can't test it out.

I've been reading a few things about gesso. I've actually thought about using it years and years ago but didn't because I figured it would clog details.

The P3 stuffing being out of stock and them possibly changing manufacturers scares me. Why? Because its the best damn paint yet that I can source locally. It's properties are to die for. Vastly better than Citadel or Army Painter and even my perennial favorite of Vallejo (which tends to be thick). P3 works better than Vallejo and Citadel and army painter on the wet palette. If P3 was sourcing through Coat d'Arms then I will just switch to Coat d'Arms. I simply will not accept an inferior product. But it's hard to think that they are changing brands considering they just released new paints in the series. They actually have a match now for the OE Bolt Gun Metal, something that hasn't existed since 1990 (a true dark, but not black, metallic silver which is good for base color or shading).

I am a complete paint snob. I demand perfection, summon Emperor's Children Mode and fabulous hair (which I once had).

For Primer: Stynylrez, for years I used vallejos stuff. At half a bottle it would start to chemically change and go to hell and clog the hell out of the airbrush. Paints on badly, though they do offer a paint on primer variant that works but Stynylrez takes the cake for water based primers... except...

1990 Citadel Black, it could and would actually stain the plastic and was hell to get off.

I don't like rattle can primers because of the lack of control. They do work, however if you take a toothbrush to them afterwards to clean up the messy dry-spray.