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I have a painted plastic minature attached to an unpainted base (not a standard base but rather one with some features in the plastic). I have a spray undercoat that I usually use - any suggestions for applying undercoat with a brush? Can you just use a GW's layer of chaos black or do you need to use a designated undercoat?

vallejo polyurethane primer or liquitex gesso


Automatically Appended Next Post:
actually, how is the basing done? for cork/sand other bits dilute PVA is fine as a primer.

for a resin base, or plastic, then vallejo polyurethane primer or liquitex gesso

Frankly, just black acrylic will do it, especially if you're planning to varnish/seal the whole thing afterwards.

I am a big gesso fan, too!

I have never tried gesso. I have used vallejo brush on primer for a year or two. I just mentioned gesso was an option because you mentioned it in a recent thread...

Wouldn't the black acrylic run into problems due to the lack of undercoat? Or would it just need more layers?

Gesso is the most fool-proof way to brush prime/undercoat. The shrinking nature of it means you get a really clean surface.

Gesso also has a nice tooth to it. It takes paint really well.

Is there any advantage to gesso over vallejo poly primer?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 ArmorOfContempt wrote:
Gesso is the most fool-proof way to brush prime/undercoat.

I'm going to disagree. I've heard plenty of bad to go with the good.

hasdrubalsbrother wrote:
Wouldn't the black acrylic run into problems due to the lack of undercoat? Or would it just need more layers?

One layer should do it. I undercoat anything metal, resin or plastic with either Abbadon Black or VMA Black, and never have any adverse effects. It might not be the 'proper' way to do it, but it works fine.

Just paint it black or grey.. Will work fine