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Hey there, I'm finding that the Army Painter spray cans are well - kinda bad. This is the third can I've lost after one use (I only got about 12 models sprayed as well), so I feel like a bit of a fool for trusting them only to get scammed a third time. Does anyone else have a similar experience?

Also, does anyone also know any good bone coloured spray cans?

I've had a similar experience with cans of humbrol enamel varnishes. Never used to have and problems but the last few I've used a couple of times, then they've clogged and just foamed cold varnish all over my hands when I attempt to spray.

I'm not sure if it's because I didn't spray them upside down, or possibly because I did t clean them, but I did try dunking the nozzles in mineral spirits, but this didn't solve the problem either.

I've since moved onto brush on varnish to avoid this, so I'd be interested in any knowledge too.

Spray paints will do this, especially fast drying flats. When you're done spraying turn the can upside down and spray just propellant out to clear the nozzle

 blood reaper wrote:
Also, does anyone also know any good bone coloured spray cans?

I think there is supposed to be one of the new GW spray cans that are coming out is bone coloured (the contrast paints)?

GW's Zandri Dust is a medium bone color.

I have similar experience with their spray cans. Although after three or four uses rather than one. They gradually get weaker until they stop spraying anything at all, even after cleaning the nozzle out and still being almost full.

They are just badly made and I won't be buying any more of them, which is a shame because most of my army is primed with their platemail which is a great colour

 Brotherjulian wrote:
Spray paints will do this, especially fast drying flats. When you're done spraying turn the can upside down and spray just propellant out to clear the nozzle

This. Every time, without fail. I avoid buying those silly 'any angle spray' cans that keep me from being able to clear out the nozzle when done spraying. Also, when holding upside down to clear do NOT spray towards your minis, as the aerosol can keep the paint from properly drying so those you blasted with propellant might stay a bit sticky.

So I contacted Army Painter and explained my situation and they've sent out some extra nozzles, which is nice of them. But, thanks for all the other advice and suggestions guys.

That is outstanding of them - good thinking!!

I own a ton of AP sprays, and I'd say I get about 1/5 cans being simply bad - worse than the others. They do clog easily because they're putting out a thick friggin' spray. I recommend a couple of things:

1) Have some spare nozzles on hand, they do gum up pretty quick and often you can keep using the can by simply replacing the nozzle. Nozzles are pretty cheap.
2) Shake the hell out of the paints first - more than normal spray paint.
3) As mentioned, turn upside down and flush the tube after spraying.
4) Like with many sprays, humidity and heat (sometimes overly hot) are the enemy. If it's damp out, my sprays go fudgy faster. I live in a damn swamp...so it's annoying.
5) Full disclosure, I've never had a single can go bad in one sitting. Many of my cans (unfortunately) are sitting around for 2-3 months between uses.
6) I have had one can, after owning it for about two years (a colour I rarely use) absolutely gak the bed the other day and was spraying nonstop so I had to yank the nozzle and throw it away.
7) Oddly I have found their worst colours tend to be their white and black cans. Just really inconsistent. The stronger colour pigments are more consistent and work well (though I've noticed minor colour changes while using them for 4-5 years)

Vallejo recently released an aerosol colour primer line which is an exact replica of GW/AP's lines. They too have a bone colour, but I haven't been able to try them yet. They're a smaller (and slightly cheaper) can.