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Priming / Basecoating Black Models


neurosis

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So after an 8 year hiatus from Warhammer I'm starting up again, fielding marines with mostly black armour. I've got some Chaos Black spray which I intend to use as a primer - would I then begin painting the colours straight over that? Or would I spray with something else first, like an automotive brand primer, followed by the Chaos Black spray as a basecoat?

 

Or if you have a completely different idea feel free to share. After 8 years I've forgotten most of what I knew about painting and my previous armies were Eldar and metallic-themed Chaos - painting straight up black is something completely new, so any advice is more than welcome :P

 

Oh and the theme will (hopefully) end up looking something like this:

 

http://i.imgur.com/lPI1iUo.jpg

 

Thanks!

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I personally use Halford's Matt Black Primer - and paint over the top! It's as good a basecoat (if not better), than Chaos Black - but both are fine. Two coats of spray would probably kill the detail - so choose one and roll with that! Once sprayed- colours can go on without issue.

So just spray black and then add on the colour. I figured as much but it seems a little too...easy? I'm worried about the durability and look of the model doing it that way because the black spray will be the main coat of the model. I get the impression that it would scratch or come off easily without a "proper" basecoat?

 

So could I use a spray as a black primer and then basecoat it with black paint? That's basically what I'm used to doing with colour models - spray on a coat, then basecoat with the primary colour. I know I don't need to do it for the colour but it just seems like the best thing to do in the long run. Or am I being paranoid? :P

I would personally basecoat with black paint in addition to undercoating the model: the undercoat is to give your paints a surface to "bite" into.

 

Because of that, primers have a different texture from other paints. Leaving them blank often results in those parts looking chalky and unfinished in comparison.

So just spray black and then add on the colour. I figured as much but it seems a little too...easy? I'm worried about the durability and look of the model doing it that way because the black spray will be the main coat of the model. I get the impression that it would scratch or come off easily without a "proper" basecoat?

So could I use a spray as a black primer and then basecoat it with black paint? That's basically what I'm used to doing with colour models - spray on a coat, then basecoat with the primary colour. I know I don't need to do it for the colour but it just seems like the best thing to do in the long run. Or am I being paranoid? tongue.png

Paranoid! Depends on the product you use I suppose. I've never had an issue with straight Chaos Black as both a primer and base coat, nor have I with Halfords, which is thicker.

I guess the proof is in the pudding: try it out!

If I'm painting a predominately black figure/vehicle say an Iron Hand I go with Chaos Black as undercoat/base then the colours I'm going to use straight on top.  If I'm going for any other colour I undercoat with The Fang (brilliant name for a paint) and then add base coat of my chosen main colour.  I've tried using a The Fang undercoat with a black base but it just added another step to painting and I've never been a huge fan of painting (especially black) although I do find that The Fang does highlight mold lines etc. really well. 

If you want a little more to your Black, apply your grey highlights and then try washing it with either Carroberg Crimson or Druchii Violet and then apply a coat of gloss varnish. You'll find that you get a hint of the wash colour showing through adding a level of depth to the paintwork.

 

Haven't tried it with a grey wash, but would imagine the same effect would apply if you wanted to keep it monochrome.

Thanks very much for all the responses so far, I'm feeling a lot more confident about the whole process now. The wash idea is something I'll try out. A really dull red over the highlights should suit the colour scheme.

 

Decided to try doing a very very dark grey (put in a tiny bit of grey) as a basecoat, then washing black. I sprayed an old CSM with the Chaos Black and the way it looks - I think it needs to be...less black?

 

Thanks again and any more tips are appreciated :P

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