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Hey guys, just bought a pot of Imperial Primer, opened it up and it isn't paint it's essentially liquid, much like a wash. Should I take it back or is there something I can do to thicken it?

Is it watery all the way through the pot? That paint is usually fairly thick and clumpy if anything.
After a really good shake it should be like a slightly thicker foundation paint. If not, I'd take it back and get it replaced.

GW has confirmed that the imperial primer is bad and will be removing it from their line altogether in my area, probably the same for yours too.
if you shake it really hard and for a good solid 15 minutes then let it sit for about an hour you should be able to use it but i suggest just plain black paint or a spray can if you can afford this option.

sorry to see you go through this hassle.

I actually kind of like it, when I got it to work. I had to stir it like crazy with a toothpick for like 10 minutes. Now I shake hard for a minute or two before each use and its ok. Spraying will always be easier, but I feel like I have more control with this primer.

It should be given a bit of a shake, but should still be thinner than a base and thicker than a wash. I liked it while I was overseas and needed to prime some stuff, but otherwise you should spray prime your stuff. Faster, better coverage, and you have a lot more to go around.

 lloyd.net wrote:
GW has confirmed that the imperial primer is bad

Source?

Even shaking it isn't enough for me, but if combine that with a good hard stir with a stick of some sort that seems to be enough to get the gungy pigment stuff into the paint again. Stir, shake, stir, shake, paint... It still takes two layers for decent coverage though, even then. What a rubbish product.

Don't use it if you have access to spray primer.

Or airbrush prime :3

 nectarprime wrote:

 lloyd.net wrote:
GW has confirmed that the imperial primer is bad

Source?

My games workshop manager and the one above him, sorry its not in text so i cannot offer a link, they got word from the Europe division.

I've use imperial primer on a few of my models. Literally had to shake the pot for like 15 mins for it to be effective or else it ends up sticking onto the model like a wash. I now use Vallejo polyurethane brush on primer. Haven't looked back since then.

I've only been painting since September, but on smaller pieces(heads, storm shields, jump packs), it's worked out fine with 1-2 minutes shaking(much more than any other "paint" and then just barely watering it down. :/

OP: I'd honestly just recommend shaking it for a couple minutes, it's annoying to have to do, but it's worked out perfectly fine for me with a very similar coat to spraying as long as I do that.