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I've been painting models for almost ten years and while I will never be incredible, I can do a damn fine tabletop standard.

Suddenly, in the last two weeks, my painting has been a disaster, and what feels like a primer mishap the likes of which I have never seen, in my entire run.

I have been using Krylon Satin "Ivory" as a Wraithbone stand-in since Contrast launched, and in that time probably painted 200+ models well. Suddenly when I touch paint to a primed model it literally seems to disappear, sometimes beading slightly, and all but vanishing. It doesn't seem to flow and pool elsewhere... it just runs off and almost vanishes. These aren't unwashed resins covered with release agent either, but the same GW plastics I was painting a week earlier.

Any suggestions on what is happening? I have tried two different cans of primer, on two different Warcry warbands, and both are exhibiting this weirdness. It is horrible, and demoralizing, as painting is my one escape in a pretty stressful, difficult, life.

Thanks so much!

Is it running off or vanishing? If you have over-thinned your paint, it could run off a glossy surface. If you spray primed from too far away, and the models look "fuzzy", then it could be absorbing some of the paint and pulling it below the surface.

Wow... it might be the later. They definitely seem a tough "fuzzy" or gritty, and as you say, the paint literally seems to vanish until I attempt to go over the same point five+ times...

And it isn't a thinning issue, as it happens with Contrast right out of the pot, or standard thinned base paints.

I've literally never had this happen. What you're describing about the vanishing paint gives me hope that its just a easily fixed, dumb user error.

I tested a glossy Rustoleoum gold and I got almost the same effect you’re getting. I think this is something with your surface adhesion on the batch you primed. Is it the same can you used before? If not then throw away that can.

You might be able to soak those models in Simple Green or other stripper to start over. You could also try a light spray of something light with a good tooth. I’ve started experimenting with Rustoleoum flat white for contrast paints, I tried their ultra matte line and it’s way too thick for minis. I had to prime over it with white.

Temperature can also influence the primer being fuzzy (basically drying in the air before reaching model). I live in the desert, and during summer this can happen because of the heat. Cold can also cause similar problems, but I am not as familiar with what it does. When my models show this grittiness, I generally wash in simple green and then use a plastic brush or toothbrush. Warning, do not soak for long, simple green has been known to soften plastic! So warnings given!

Priming in the cold can cause splotchiness as wet droplets form instead of a good aerosol mist. Cold cans can cause this and using the can causes the temperature to drop further (i.e. canned air) so I put my cans on top of the dryer if it's running to warm them up.

Hah! Nice tip, Fajitafan. Usefull.

It was two different cans which caused similar issues, so I can only attribute it to a little of the other factors...

1. It was probably on the cooler side of acceptable.

2. It was a pretty dry day.

3. I might've primed a little too far away.

A little of all three combined might have been the issue here.

I went back in and gave them a zap with clear primer, figuring I couldn't make it much worse. It didn't smooth the models, obviously, but they hold paint completely normally again, which is a world better than where I was.

The disappearing paint was the craziest thing to see happen though... I didn't even imagine that could be possible.

When paint beads up on a primed mini, usually satin will do this l give the mini a shade with a colour that won't be noticed, it will give the shiny smooth surface some bite for the paint to stick to.

When I use tamiya satin surface primer I have to give the mini a wash because paint just wont stick.