Reldn Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Greetings brothers. I'm trying to get back into painting up some of the many miniatures I have lying around. So, tonight I got some inspiration and some time and went to prime a few of them. However, as always, my primer comes out looking kind of grainy on the minis. No matter what the temperature/humidity is or my range. It always seems to come out looking terrible. I don't know what's going wrong, I've followed tutorials on how to use the spray primers and somehow I STILL manage to mess it up. :tu: I'm beyond frustrated and really need some help before I give up completely on miniatures and the hell that is painting them. So, any help regarding spray primers is greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much in advance. EDIT: In case it helps, the two brands of spray primers I use are Armory and Army Painter. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 This might be an expensive option, but bear with me: Get an airbrush. That way you can prime your models (or at least basecoat them) without having to use pesky spraycans. So... yeah. Just a thought. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 If the humidity is above 60-65%, it's risky. It also can't be too cold or too hot - not below 10-15C and above 30C. Make sure you shake the can well. By "well", I mean REALLY rapid, strong movement up and down, to the sides, with the can travelling about a meter or the full extension of your arm, about 3-4 times a second. Do that for at least 5 minutes, 10-15 if the weather is cold and/or humid. Generally "grainy" primer means you've not shaken the can well enough. Test the primer on something else first, then shake the can for five more minutes, CONSTANTLY. Yes, your arms will hurt, tough luck :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reldn Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 This might be an expensive option, but bear with me: Get an airbrush. That way you can prime your models (or at least basecoat them) without having to use pesky spraycans. So... yeah. Just a thought. :P I've looked into getting an air brush for a while, but, sadly, they're just too expensive at the moment. That and yet again dealing with the spraying of paint, I'm starting to develop an aversion to any form of paint that isn't applied by brush. *laughs* In all seriousness though, one of these days I will pick up an airbrush and see what they're like. If the humidity is above 60-65%, it's risky. It also can't be too cold or too hot - not below 10-15C and above 30C. Make sure you shake the can well. By "well", I mean REALLY rapid, strong movement up and down, to the sides, with the can travelling about a meter or the full extension of your arm, about 3-4 times a second. Do that for at least 5 minutes, 10-15 if the weather is cold and/or humid. Generally "grainy" primer means you've not shaken the can well enough. Test the primer on something else first, then shake the can for five more minutes, CONSTANTLY. Yes, your arms will hurt, tough luck :) I'd have thought shaking the can for five minutes straight like that would've been more than enough. What do I need to do? Tie them to my truck and drive around hitting every bump possible? :P *grumbles* Maybe I should just brush on primer. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 This might be an expensive option, but bear with me: Get an airbrush. That way you can prime your models (or at least basecoat them) without having to use pesky spraycans. So... yeah. Just a thought. :) I've looked into getting an air brush for a while, but, sadly, they're just too expensive at the moment. That and yet again dealing with the spraying of paint, I'm starting to develop an aversion to any form of paint that isn't applied by brush. *laughs* In all seriousness though, one of these days I will pick up an airbrush and see what they're like. Check out Chuffy on youtube. He's currently uploading videos about airbrushes - the ins and the outs of them. Real 101 stuff. Maybe that'll provide some insights. :P Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fibonacci Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 When all else fails, try gesso. This is my preferred method in the cold months or any time it is rainy, windy or just crappy weather in general. Spray primers can get a furry texture sometimes. Be sure to shake the can well. Extremely well. Like twice as long as you would a normal can. You might try holding the can closer to the model, too. When you set your model up to paint, touch it with your finger tips and look where your elbow is; that's too far back. You need to be between 1/2 to 2/3 that distance. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234593 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Just use brush on primer. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234603 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Just use brush on primer. Oh, Gods, no. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, noooooo... *shudders* Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234613 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reldn Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 I've actually considered trying brush on primer as my next attempt. What's bad about it? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234803 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I've actually considered trying brush on primer as my next attempt. What's bad about it? There's nothing bad about it if you have skill and common sense. Use a watered down tank brush and give your models 4 or 5 watered down thin coats of brush on primer. I use Vallejo white primer, works awesome. Models I've used this method on have been Golden Daemon finalists, so no fall in quality. Spray primers are lazy and lack control. No need to spend lots of money on an airbrush just for base coating. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3234852 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzen Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 you may be spraying from too far, if the paint is drying mid flight it will make your model bitty.. just strip them & start again. personally i think brush on primer is worse than the "lazy" spray as it gives an uneven coat. (paint a vehicle by hand and tell me how many layers& how thin the paint has to be to stop streaks in comparison to with an airbrush/aerosol) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235036 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 you may be spraying from too far, if the paint is drying mid flight it will make your model bitty.. just strip them & start again. personally i think brush on primer is worse than the "lazy" spray as it gives an uneven coat. (paint a vehicle by hand and tell me how many layers& how thin the paint has to be to stop streaks in comparison to with an airbrush/aerosol) Vehicles are a different story. I use Krylon satin black fusion spray paint for vehicles. But, for infantry sized models brush primer affords you better control. It's really a matter of preference, but I find I like the small details on infantry too much to ruin them with spray paint. Also, the above mentioned Krylon Fusion for plastics is way cheaper and superior to any of the modeling company's name brand spray primers. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235055 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzen Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 personally i use vallejos airbrush primer cuz its made of magic & rainbows. but imho well applied spray beats hand done, although vallejo may make magic & rainbow in brushable form too so who knows! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235085 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 personally i use vallejos airbrush primer cuz its made of magic & rainbows. but imho well applied spray beats hand done, although vallejo may make magic & rainbow in brushable form too so who knows! I'm sure airbrushes are awesome but after pricing good ones I'd rather spend the money on models. A skilled painter can work magic and rainbows with brushes. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235093 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 A skilled painter can work magic and rainbows with brushes. A skilled painter usually uses multiple methods. Or, at least, the ones I've seen have. ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235094 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 A skilled painter can work magic and rainbows with brushes. A skilled painter usually uses multiple methods. Or, at least, the ones I've seen have. ;) Once again, it's a money issue, and if you can achieve your desired effect without one, why spend the money? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235099 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 But then again, for some painters, nothing else compares. Each to his own, really. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235102 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolfmeister Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 But then again, for some painters, nothing else compares. Each to his own, really. Too true. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235107 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I'm still using GW's primer, and not having problems - although the last one wasn't as good as it has been in past... the Skull White came out a tad... yellow? Or off-white in places. I'm tempted by an airbrush, but I think I'll stick with the GW primers for the time being personally. I always worry about when to spray too - but, my garage seems to be a good compromise! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanska Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 I'm using vallejos black surface primer w/ air- and regular brush. Amazing stuff and even with a brush I've never had issues of it not being even and smooth. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Amarel Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 Depending on the weather I have both black and white gesso (Bob Ross) and Halford's grey primer (meant for cars). They all have their place, imo. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235354 Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacewolf407 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Vallejo polyurethane brush on surface primer. Nothing but the best. http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c203/vtec407/IMG_0293.jpg Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaedes Nex Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Please post the temperature and humidity at the time that you attempted to spray. If you were truly concerned about getting the job done properly, you would have known these two numbers at the time (even if you forgot them now). Armory primer is just bad in general. No offense to the company or its fans, but I do not like their product. Army Painter must be sprayed much, much closer and in shorter bursts as their spray nozzles/cans behave differently from other spraypaints. I suggest you reattempt to spray Army Painter above 50 degrees and below 95 degrees Fahrenheit at no more than 65% humidity. Hold the can very close, at about 6 inches or so from the model. The can itself says you should never spray it from more than 20 cm away. That's a scant 7.8 inches. Most spraypaint primer tips will tell you to hold it no CLOSER than Army Painter's MAXIMUM distance. You really have to get up close with Army Painter as it's a fast drying primer and it will dry and become grainy if you're too far or the temperature makes it dry too fast. You can either spray it in multiple short puffs to prevent running, or you can use it the way Army Painter recommends by using long sprays and moving rapidly over the models. Also, if shaking for multiple minutes doesn't help, try soaking the can in a tub of warm water to warm up the paint. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzen Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 thats the airbrush primer.. its why the nozzle is angled and it talks about not needing to dilute it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3235978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartali Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 EDIT: In case it helps, the two brands of spray primers I use are Armory and Army Painter. Army Painter is too random for me. Despite spraying the exact same way each time, I get random results. 4 or 5 batches will go fine, but then the next time it trashes the mini and it's off for a bath in fairy power spray. Whatever you may say about GW's sprays, they give the same result every time. Not once had a trashed mini from them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/265447-spray-primers/#findComment-3236137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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