Having trouble getting the hang of white primer

[Akylas]

I checked the faq and did a search but I may have missed something, so forgive me if this has come up...

 

I was priming some chaos marines and a couple of extra loyalists I had today. I did the former in black and the latter in white to play around with some brighter colors (and see if I'd like the results of using white primer). The black went on fine but the white went on a bit white and clumpy. I haven't used white primer much so I'm wondering if I made a mistake.

 

I warmed the bottle before use, shook it over a minute, and held it about 10-12 inches away. It was a warm day outside in the garage where I primed the figures. I tend to spray the primer in one or more very short bursts before leaving it a few minutes to dry and coming back and turning the figures to get the other side.

 

One thing I wonder is if I used too much spray. It seemed to take more to get much coverage. Should I expect more grey spots with white primer rather than going for 90%+ coverage? Or is something else the culprit? I also noticed that although I continued to shake the bottle between uses for a few seconds each time I wouldn't even hear the metal ball inside moving until I'd already shaken the can a bit.

[puck]

I've had the exact same problem, can't figure it out either.

[Brother Nihm]

I also noticed that although I continued to shake the bottle between uses for a few seconds each time I wouldn't even hear the metal ball inside moving until I'd already shaken the can a bit.

Speaking from experience, shake the can for a minimum of 5 minutes. I am not kidding here, 5 mins minimum.

 

Please do that, then try again on a "test mini" and let me know how it went.

[Tamwulf]

Akylas- what brand of White Primer?

 

Much like regular acrylic paints, there are all kinds of different quality primers.

 

The worst offenders for me have been Armory, followed by GW. Both of these brands seem to be way more sensitive to environmental conditions (temperature, humidity).

 

The best white Primer has been Privateer Press P3 White Primer.

 

Whatever primer you choose, follow the instructions on the can, and always, always test it first on something. I use a bit of plastic sprue, finecast sprue, or white metal bits to see how the primer is going to react before I prime the mini's I spent prepping and assembling. I have also noticed that different brands of primer want to be used in different ways. What works for P3 Black (temp, humidity) doesn't always work for P3 White. When you have figured out what the best conditions/how to use a particular Primer, write it down in your painting journal so you'll have notes for it later.

[Akylas]

I've had the exact same problem, can't figure it out either.

 

Good to know I'm not the only one. To make it worse I went ahead and painted one of the models, starting with a heavy asurmen blue + badad black wash, and it came out really well (at least to this amrginally skilled painter)...except some of the obscured details from the primer.

 

Speaking from experience, shake the can for a minimum of 5 minutes. I am not kidding here, 5 mins minimum.

 

Please do that, then try again on a "test mini" and let me know how it went.

 

Will do. I should be able to prime a couple more this weekend.

 

Akylas- what brand of White Primer?

 

Much like regular acrylic paints, there are all kinds of different quality primers.

 

The worst offenders for me have been Armory, followed by GW. Both of these brands seem to be way more sensitive to environmental conditions (temperature, humidity).

 

The best white Primer has been Privateer Press P3 White Primer.

 

Whatever primer you choose, follow the instructions on the can, and always, always test it first on something. I use a bit of plastic sprue, finecast sprue, or white metal bits to see how the primer is going to react before I prime the mini's I spent prepping and assembling. I have also noticed that different brands of primer want to be used in different ways. What works for P3 Black (temp, humidity) doesn't always work for P3 White. When you have figured out what the best conditions/how to use a particular Primer, write it down in your painting journal so you'll have notes for it later.

 

It's GW primer. I'l have to give Privateer Press a try when I finish with this can. Thanks for the tips. I do have sprues lying around I can test on first next time (I tend to keep the whole sprue if there's still a bit or two on them, for fear of losing them if I clip them off). I never even considered humidity, although I've been careful to prime only on the warmer days since winter started.

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

Something else you can try, aside from shaking it longer, is to warm up the can. Fill your sink up with warm water, wrap the spray can in a dish towell, and hold it under the water for a few minutes. When it's warmed up, it will increase the pressure inside the can(so don't get it too hot) which will make the atomized paint come out in smaller particles, giving you a smoother coat of paint.

 

Also, make sure you are clearing the paint nozzle after each use by turning the can upside down and spraying until only clear propellant comes out. If your nozzle is already clogged, you can pull it off the can and soak it something like paint thinner or Simple Green to loosen up the dried paint inside.

 

*Edit* Try Duplicolor Sandable Primer that you can get from auto supply stores. It's about 1/3 the cost of the primers from the game companies, and is a much better primer to boot!

[chaptermasters]

I've had problems with the GW white nozzles clogging/spitting. Fortunately I'd got other cans around so just swapped it for another.

[Akylas]

Alright, primed a couple more models today (just some monopose snap fit ones). Warmed the can in warm water a few minutes and shook the heck out of it for about 5-6 minutes. I also went for a lighter coating, not worry as much about getting complete coverage.

 

Better, but even on the model with lots of grey specks left underneath from a light priming have the white paint collecting in recesses.

 

I'm wondering if I might have better luck with privateer press's primer or one of the other suggested non gw brands, although for now I think I might stick with the black spray.

[puck]

Alright, primed a couple more models today (just some monopose snap fit ones). Warmed the can in warm water a few minutes and shook the heck out of it for about 5-6 minutes. I also went for a lighter coating, not worry as much about getting complete coverage.

 

Better, but even on the model with lots of grey specks left underneath from a light priming have the white paint collecting in recesses.

 

I'm wondering if I might have better luck with privateer press's primer or one of the other suggested non gw brands, although for now I think I might stick with the black spray.

 

This is exactly what's happened to me every time I use white primer. I've used Krylon and several "specifically for plastic" type spray paints all with the same result. I'm going to try it through an airbrush next and if that doesn't work I'm never using white primer again....ironically enough I think I said that last time too...