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Vallejo Surface Primer


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I have been wondering about this primer, I did ask a while ago if anyone has any experince with it before I get some for using on my DC and storm raven. What is your experience with it? You said it's wonderful... That is of course good. Its strong and matt? Does it have any gloss sheen? etc etc

Primers do not usually have a gloss finish as it requires to be quite flat for further layers of paint to adhere to it. It acts and behaves a bit like chaos black, which is supposed to be matt, but has a slight satin shine to it. You can get matt sprays more dull than the primers.

 

IMO the primer loses out to spray primers mainly as it is water based. Its fine for touch up and the vinyl/rubber compound mixed in works great, but it doesn't adhere to plastics as well as a thinner based primer does. Anything thinner based will microscopically eat away at the surface somewhat, so it sticks a little better.

 

Primers do not usually have a gloss finish as it requires to be quite flat for further layers of paint to adhere to it. It acts and behaves a bit like chaos black, which is supposed to be matt, but has a slight satin shine to it. You can get matt sprays more dull than the primers.

 

IMO the primer loses out to spray primers mainly as it is water based. Its fine for touch up and the vinyl/rubber compound mixed in works great, but it doesn't adhere to plastics as well as a thinner based primer does. Anything thinner based will microscopically eat away at the surface somewhat, so it sticks a little better. And also being water based, the molecules are larger so again, sticks less effectively than a thinner based primer.

@ Ironkobra... yep it does, but it can scratch off if the base itself does not adhere properly.

 

That makes sense. Though I am having that problem with the GW spray on metal models at the moment. Granted the GW spray isn't an actual primer but I had a can kicking around. I was interested about this vallejo stuff since I have an airbrush and by all accounts it looked to be extremely good. Is it something you would avoid completely and just stick to say general spray primers?

I would say go for it. Nothing wrong with having a good primer around. It is versatile: it can be used in the airbrush and hand painted. Give it a try :) it may work well enough for you. I'm just highlighting some points to note. :)

 

You're right, I'll never know if I like it myself without trying. Thanks muchly for the info! I'll see about picking up one of the smaller bottles in the next few weeks for a trial run.

Cannot go wrong with Tamiya Grey Fine Surface Primer best I have ever used.

 

Seconded.

 

But I do really like the Vallejo primers as well.

 

They're quite alarming as they spray on quite thickly, then 'shrink' into the detail as they dry forming a flexible rubbery layer.

Cannot go wrong with Tamiya Grey Fine Surface Primer best I have ever used.

 

Seconded.

 

But I do really like the Vallejo primers as well.

 

They're quite alarming as they spray on quite thickly, then 'shrink' into the detail as they dry forming a flexible rubbery layer.

 

Sounds like a spray version of Gesso. Due to the fact I live in a flat and have nowhere safe to spray I undercoat by hand and Gesso has been such a timesaver.

Well Wayland Games has just started stocking it so I am willing to risk a chance on it. I have looked at a few reviews of the stuff and thr FAQ's on Vallejos site and what not and I have learned it seems to work better when sprayed at a higher PSI in an airbrush and minimal thinning if you are thinning at all.

 

I'll give my honest verdict once I have given it a go.

 

Living in England it is extremely hit and miss in being able to use spray cans outside to prime models and I have some issues with the GW spray. The Armypainter stuff I have tried was nice, I have most of a can of Dragon red left which I'll save for vehicles or speed painting, but being able to prime with an airbrush with something that looks to be extremely thin sounds too good to be true.

The finer the spray, the better the adhesion. You can actually use a thinner based canned primer. A common technique is to spray it into a cup, and let it collect. The liquid can then be poured in the airbrush to use.

 

haha, this is news to me! I have literally only looked at alternatives to the GW canned paint in very recent weeks and this vallejo stuff seems to come up again and again so it's the only thing I've had to go on ;) There is a vid up on youtube of a guy doing a brief review and showing a GW plastic ork that seemed to come out fine... One won't know until one tries!

ok, i tried it on a test model. Sprays really nice without thinning :( detail is retained and actually dries pretty quick to the point it doesn't smear the paint. I'm not sure how long curing time is but so far on it's initial run, this stuff looks really promising ;)
ok, i tried it on a test model. Sprays really nice without thinning -_- detail is retained and actually dries pretty quick to the point it doesn't smear the paint. I'm not sure how long curing time is but so far on it's initial run, this stuff looks really promising :D

 

 

Ok, left to dry overnight, handled the model this morning... Rubbing the primer off is extremely difficult, in fact it just plain didn't rub off at all between my thumb and fingers and skin to paint doesnt feel sticky/tacky. Just as reference I sprayed it on at about 30psi (I read you need a slightly more powerful spray) with a medium sized needle (the exact sixe escapes me) and it seems to have adhered to the model really nicely with no running marks or unsightly build up.

 

So general handling seems fine. I am not 100% how long it takes to cure fully, it doesn't actually say anywhere on the bottlel, but is an extremely even finish, no random dusty surface. All the details like dips in the armour and everything still sharp. Basically is looks like the model was made from black plastic rather than grey. The primer has a very slight gloss sheen to it but nothing major and certainly once paint is laid down over the top it won't make much difference. Add a matt varnish too and you should have a matt surface model which under regular handling should retain its paint job for god knows how long!

 

Now I also tried digging at the primer layer with my nail. The paint peels a little like skin. Now this wasn't easy to do, it certainly meant digging my nail into the surface and scraping. I have had GW primer rub off models which have paint over them and were properly cleaned (hence looking at new primers in the first place). I'd also like to say I think 1 200ml bottle will last a loooooooong way! A few drops primed a whole model, and any still in the airbrush cup can be simply poured back into the bottle, reducing the waste!

 

In short I think this stuff in its trial stage looks great. I am yet to see how paint goes on over it, but as far as getting a mini ready to paint this stuff looks like it will become my go to primer! :D

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