http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/8.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126664.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126664.page GMT Are you sure the "texture" is not on there but hard to see from the primer? Spray primers when held too far from a miniature or when it is very hot can dry partially before striking the miniature's surface, thus leaving a rough, almost sandpaper finish much like you have described. Small particles trapped within the spray. This can also happen from a bad can of primer (or one that is old and sat on the shelf too long) I sometimes deal with this as I live in a very hot dry place. Because the primer is all one color, and the depth of the particles is so slight as to not cause shadows, it can be very hard to see before you place paint on top. However thin paint and such will show it up even more than unthinned paint.
Hopefully others will have more insights, as I have never dealt with a paint leaving such texture, unless the paint itself has somehow gone bad.
If this is the problem, the only real solution is to strip and re primer the models (I use a bath of simple green and a toothbrush). When you respray just check temperature (over 90 has caused me problems) and how far you hold the can.
No solution I know, but a cause perhaps you can avoid in the future.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126698.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126698.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126714.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126714.page GMT
Another thing you could to is try thinning your paint a bit with some water, but that would create a different colour.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126911.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10126911.page GMT I have also had to give up and buy new paints. Ten years old seems very very old to me for paints, even if sealed well.

As to the primer issue, I think you would have noticed with the scrutiny you gave. often the problem looks like powder dusted on the miniature.
After your later post I suspect it is your paints that have separated. This can cause them to turn grainy, and pigment is often ground minerals in a solution. If this is the case, thinning with water actually makes it worse, as the pigment has hardened and is no longer returning to a smooth solution and therefore not mixing with the water and therefore separating further on the surface.
Sadly, I do think it might be time for new paints.

Wish I had a better idea/solution. There are a lot of far more experienced painters about. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127088.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127088.page GMT edwardmyst your comments have been very insightful. I've always wanted to try vallejo paints anyway, ill use this as an excuse to treat myself.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127225.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127225.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127281.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10127281.page GMT
Just make sure you "sweep" the dryer over the model repeatedly when drying, to avoid overheating and the risk of bubbling. And stand the model in a shoe box lid or similar so it doesn't blow away!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10128007.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/762849/10128007.page GMT