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I'm having a problem priming my models. The primer doesn't go on as a smooth, fluid coat; instead, it is very granular and can actually be wiped off the models, even after having dried. The newspaper that the models sit on also gets a coat of granular paint, much of which I can get off simply by shaking the newspaper. I live in a humid climate, and I wonder if the humidity has something to do with it.

I'm using Armory black primer. Plastic models seem to fair a little better than metal models. I can take a picture if that would be helpful.

Any suggestions on what I can do to get better results priming? Thanks.

Try a different primer and a couple of test models. I use Rustoleum flat black primer or Krylon Ultra Flat Black. You should be able to find those at your local DIY store

Humidity has a bunch to do with the grainy nature of the primer.

less humid equals better.

It's true that humidity does have some to do, but less isn't necessarily better, as in this case it sounds like it's too dry.

The dusting effect you're getting is because the primer is drying in the air before it hits the model. You can try other primers, but you might have a better result by spraying from a shorter range.

There's a tendency to spray from a distance to avoid too thick of a coat. You clearly can't pull back too far, so just keep the spray moving and don't linger.

It's probably just the quality of the primer. Humidity has a LOT to do with how your primer turns out, but it usually makes the primer "fuzzy", and not so much "grainy". Which is strange, considering.

Try spending five bucks more for a can, and see how that turns out. Just try to make sure that it's for modeling, and not, say, priming walls.

Because that never turns out good.

Also if it was a new can you just bought from the store if you did not shake the living crap out it that will happen, since spray paints usually sit for the better part of a year before they get sold to the consumer so before the first use you want to shake that can till your arm hurts or somethign close to that at least.

While I have to admit that I am no real fan of Armoury (GW is a better product, and you pay for the priviledge of being allowed to use it), I have never had this particular issue with it. And I have done quite a bit of dead-of-winter priming in the cold and lo humidity. I am really unsure about the exact physical dynamic of how spray paint dries befor eit hits the model, however I have experienced the soul bending frustration of having it happen. It does tend to happen to me more in winter than any other time of year, but I find that if I do some test spraying on some carboard before I attempt to prime, the primer usu sprays fine. Call it physics, chemistry, or Karma, every single time I test it first, it sprays great in that regard. Go figure.

I could also see where "fuzzy" and "grainy" might be mistaken for each other, esp. if this is the persons first time seeing it.

A buddy of mine told me years ago, "50 shakes, spray." May sound excessive, probably is, but I don't have problems with unmixed paint in my can coming out the nozzle. Ever. And it only takes a few seconds.

I am having a hard time believing that low humidity could be the issue, even though that would make logical sense on the surface (drier air drying out the paint right out the can) since shirou lives in a humid climate.

Try priming in a different location, onewith different conditions?

It was indeed a new can. I will try shaking the can more and holding it closer to the models. If that fails, I will buy a different primer. Thanks everyone.

If you don't have an excessive amount of priming to do, try a closed garage that has access to AC (Basically, open the door for a few hours and let the AC do some work). Either that or stick a dehumidifier in your garage, if you have access to one. I forgot to mention this to you, but if you aren't shaking the living crap out of your can that may be the problem. Shake it as hard as you can for five straight minutes. Really, I'm not joking. Time yourself. Be sure to close that entry into your house back up before you start priming. When you prime, be sure to spray some primer out of the can onto a spare piece of cardboard, until the big droplets stop coming. Hold your spray can about a half an arm's length away from the model. Now, spray the model in extremely short bursts. I'm talking like less than half a second. It might take a while, but you'll see results eventually. If your problem still persists, it could be one of two things.

"Fuzzy" - Due to too much humidity most of the time, some particles may be raised off of the model. Not dusty. More like a microfiber or soft cotton blanket, if you know what I'm talking about. If you don't have a dehumidifier, and these are your results, that's what you need.

"Grainy" - This is due to a poor quality paint that either has too much accelerator (paint dryer) in it or not enough adhesive. The primer will appear like you just coated it in dirt, and yes, some particles may flake off (If it's fuzzy, it won't). This might mean you have some very old primer, you aren't shaking it enough to mix the components of the primer, or it's just a crappy primer in general (I've never used Armoury, So I wouldn't know). You might even need a new nozzle. I would simply suggest to get a new can of primer, and repeat all of the steps I told you above.

Don't forget to open up your garage after every fourth of a can or so of primer, unless you have a gasmask. Even so, with a dehumidifier, it shouldn't take too long to get a relatively low humidity in the room.

AHHHHHH closer is a bad idea, you want the can to be roughly 6 and no more then 10 inches away from your minitures or else the paint pools on them and will distort, also make sure you are always moving the can while you prime never just sit there with a solid stream pouring out onto your figure, small circular motions work the best for me that way you get a very smooth coat instead of lumps or pooling. Hope that helps.

Sounds like it's drying before it hits the model. Are you spraying too far away, 12" is about right. Also, sounds obvious, but shake the can really well, a good 5 minutes.

I primed figures this weekend in the prime of Florida heat and humidity using Krylon gray and got a =bit= of fuzziness. It's worse when I'm clear-coating and I'm thinking of switching to a brush on sealant to prevent this.

SHAKE WELL, cannot be understated!

My technique's good, staying between 6-10 inches away, starting on a patch of cardboard first, and moving the can in smooth back and forth motions. I hit it up from several angles in short bursts and let the coats dry in between applications. Remember to clear your can by turning it upside down and spraying until only the propellant comes out.

Here's another tip:

After a few dozen shakes, stop and roll the ball around the perimeter of the can. Just kind of swirl the bottom of the can in a circular pattern until the ball starts rolling round the edge.

That picks up anything residing in those "corners" of the can and mixes them in.


As has been said before, but cannot be stressed enough; SHAKE THE HELL OUT OF THAT CAN.

Also, when not using it, keep it in a temperature controlled environment. Also, do your shaking INDOORS, before going outdoors. The less time the can spends in the heat/cold, the better.


Eric

I had a similar problem with my primer getting weird on me. The two biggest things are humidity and of course if you shook the can enough. I have a paint mixer in the garage that just shakes the living hell out of it.