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Hey guys, my nid scheme requires me to base my models white. Recently I've had a few issues with the spray making some parts of my models slightly textured, only in places but it's annoying as once it's washed it's quite prominent. I like to apply my white in a few thin layers so I'm wondering if because of the heat is some of the paint drying before it gets to the model? Any advice would be appreciated (its halfords primer by the way and I've never had any issues before)

White sprays tend to cause more issues with grainy finishes than other colors. Must be something about the pigmentation. Regardless of brand, the solution is almost always to spray closer to the model (commonly cited fix for Army Painter primers and one I've personally used for a few different white enamels). Whether it's due to heat, humidity, or some other unknown ambient condition, the less time the paint spends between the nozzle and the model's surface, the less that can go wrong. You'll have to move more quickly, though, as the cone of spray is far more concentrated at close range. If you aren't careful, you'll overload the model, obscuring details and causing runs and drips.

If you are using a white primer, because you are then painting light colours like yellow and red. I'd suggest at looking at swapping to a grey primer rather than white.

It's still easy enough to paint light colours and its less temperamental normally.

If you are sticking to white cause it is one of your main colours, airbrushing primers could be an option if you have it available. Else wise like oadie said, you will need to prime closer and faster.

 oadie wrote:
White sprays tend to cause more issues with grainy finishes than other colors. Must be something about the pigmentation. Regardless of brand, the solution is almost always to spray closer to the model (commonly cited fix for Army Painter primers and one I've personally used for a few different white enamels). Whether it's due to heat, humidity, or some other unknown ambient condition, the less time the paint spends between the nozzle and the model's surface, the less that can go wrong. You'll have to move more quickly, though, as the cone of spray is far more concentrated at close range. If you aren't careful, you'll overload the model, obscuring details and causing runs and drips.

What he said...

Do a search or two, the "texture' or "grainy primer" problem is exceptionally common.

It is caused because the droplets of paint are starting to dry in mid air, giving them a "skin" so to speak, and instead of hitting the model as a liquid, form tiny little grains.

Note; the closer you spray, you need to use more sweeping motions with the can, so as to not get too much paint build up in one blast.

best of luck.

Thanks guys I'll try this. I'm a bit anal about this type of thing haha

As an alternative to white primer woes, just cheat and prime them black.
Admittedly, that only works for your light colours if you have an airbrush ready to apply a bright undercoat thin and with minimum fuss. ;-]

My paint scheme is done by washing over white to priming black or grey is no use

Ummm well I'm gonna stick out here. I use white Primer a lot, on basically any miniature I get my hands, and I have never had a problem with the primer drying in mid air or anything like that. Personally, I move my hand back and forth across the mini from about 20cm away. I always get a great outcome when I do this, and it's never grainy. I find, the closer you get, the higher the risk of building up primer over details. I highly recomend you DON'T do that, unless you're absolutely set on doing it.

You should make sure your primer is shaken thoroughly, you might be just spraying mostly pigment out. Quick example, I had an Abbaddon model, and I didn't shake me primer enough so when I sprayed, I got a really gritty texture on him.