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I just picked up some MDF terrain that recommends using an airbrush and enamel primer. I’m an acrylic guy and haven’t used enamels through my airbrush before. Does anyone have any recommendations for what primer to use, what concerns I should have for airbrush maintenance after shooting enamel through it, and where to even find miniature appropriate enamel primer?

Actually, I only use enamels through my airbrush for a number of reasons.

1. Enamels actually clean up better, using mineral spirits. You can dissolve dried enamel with thinner, but you cannot dissolve dried acrylic with water. The downside is the mineral spirit vapors. But, it makes cleaning your brush so much easier.
2. The pigment suspended in the paint's vehicle and carrier ratio in enamels is much finer, therefore giving a thinner and smoother coat. Also LESS CLOGS!!!
3. I use the flat enamels as primer and base coat, all in one in the shot in the primary color the item will be when finished. Why coat something in a color only to cover up 100% of it again with other color? Saves a ton of painting time.
4. Testors makes nice little bottles of flat enamels in almost any color, so I have no problem getting what I need in a small amount for airbrushing.
5. The prime/base coat in enamel is far stronger than acrylic. This is especially important on metal minis, as it keeps those pesky paint chips from happening.

All this being said, I really cannot see why MDF would demand enamel. Are you referring to actual MDF wood terrain, or is MDF a brand name and the terrain is still plastic or resin?

 MDSW wrote:
All this being said, I really cannot see why MDF would demand enamel. Are you referring to actual MDF wood terrain, or is MDF a brand name and the terrain is still plastic or resin?

Its because the way mdf soaks up water then swells, oil based paints tend to seal it better without swelling it quite so bad, at least that's the theory I've personally never tested it, I don't like mdf and rarely use it (the smell of formaldehyde and burned wood).

As for using enamels, yeah I use them and like them, downsides is they smell bad/have bad fumes and take ages to cure properly. I prime for enamels with either other enamels or a lacquer based primer. I try and avoid painting acrylics over enamels because dried enamel has a very low surface energy and acrylics will tend to bead up on an enamel base, even a matte one.

If you're going to use enamel as a primer, why not use an aerosol spray can? So much easier and probably cheaper too.

I go through a LOT less primer when I am using the airbrush and end up spending far less on primer. I am controlling where the paint goes better. Plus, when shooting acrylics anyway, the house doesn't smell afterwards (I still use a vent hood and mask). You'd never know I was airbrushing inside the house. Rattlecan pretty much has to been outdoors for me which means I have to be a lot more concerned about temperature affecting the quality of my primer and base coat.
In this particular instance, the manufacturer (Warsenal) recommends airbrush because it's easier to control the amount of paint you are spraying and will help preserve the etched detail on the panels.

Yeah spraying enamels is going to make your room stink much more than acrylics. I spray with a decent sized exhaust fan and it still ends up stinking up the joint. Part of the problem is enamels outgas for waaaay longer so even after you've finished painting a part and have turned off your exhaust fan, the part is still outgassing and stinking up your house.

Spartacus wrote:
If you're going to use enamel as a primer, why not use an aerosol spray can? So much easier and probably cheaper too.

What brand would you recommend in NZ?