Cracking Primer

[appiah4]

I came across a new acrylic primer on the web recently, it was a nice terracota-ish red that I thought could actually speed up my painging a bit (I paint Blood Angels). Failing that, I could actually field red primed marines instead of grey primed ones, which would go a long way towards immersion.

 

So anyway, I ordered it and it came to my door. The brand is CosmoLac, I believe it's Greek. I took it out and gave it a try on an AOBR marien for test.

 

I first tested it on paper an I was amazed at how coarse the pigment was, and how it instantly dried, maybe possibly in mid air. My experience with paint, even primers, is that it should reach the model as a liquid before it dries so that it can adhere - right? This on had huge pigments and almost semi-dried in mid air, and sort of crusted on the paper.

 

I was cautiously pessimistic at this point, but I said whatever and proceeded to spray the mini, a little closer than I norally do (20cm or so instead of 30cm) to avoid mid-air drying and a possible rough finish, and (I think) managed to get the paint onto the model quite well. The coverage was better than I expected, in the sense that it did not obscure anything. I looked at it in the sunlight and was joyed.

 

Then I came back into the house and looked at it under a lightbulb, and found out that the paint cracked over curved surfaces, such as the shoulderpads, backpack exhaust bulbs, rim of the base, etc.

 

I called the retailer and they told me this was mostly for metal surfaces and in order to use it o a plastic I should first give it a coat of arcylic varnish which made no ense. I'm not sure what caused this. Could it be the weather? (It was a bit windy and moist, but I never had this isue with Duplicolor gray primers). Could it be the model? (The model was properly washed and cleaned). Should I throw this can away or give it another whirl?

[LoneWulfen]

Did you vigorously shake the can of primer before use? Did you place the can in a box of boiling water for ten minutes before spraying?

 

Many things can go wrong whilst trying to spray your models, weather, distance even the area you're in can affect the results of your primer. What I'd suggest is wait for a clear day, when the temperature isn't cold or hot, where it isn't windy, just a flat day. Spray in a well ventilated room, I spray in my garage with the door open. Place the can in a box of boiling water for 15-25 mins and then shake vigorously. Then proceed to spraying the model. If the paint is still cracked I would suggest doing what the retailer said. Hope this helped.

[Darklighter]

I'd try a different spray brand. I'd not try putting any aerosol can in boiling water, one because it's dangerous and two it would increase the chances of blooming, a chalky surface residue over the paint.

[appiah4]

I like paint, I've used a lot of different brands in 15 years and I never heard of putting cans in boiling water either.. I will try to warm it up in a towel or something though, and try it in better conditions..

 

I have a feeling this is probably a case of not enough solvent in the spray, maybe needs more rigorous shaking (I did shake it for a full two minutes..)

 

I'll update.