Bought non-primer Matt Black Spray - should i take it back?

[Fortis]

Hail!

 

As a preamble, I would like to state I am fully aware this topic has been covered on many occasions here and elsewhere, but I am after a specific answer to a specific question which I have unfortunately been unable to divine from such posts.

 

I recently bought a can of Matt Black car spray from Halfords in the UK, but upon returning home realised it is not a primer! Foolish child! As I am seeking to prime/undercoat predominantly metal minis, this could prove somewhat problematic. (Ive just realised they do actually sell a black primer, but I cant tell whether it is acrylic based or not, and thus suitable for model painting.)

 

After an arduous quest across the vast plains of the internet, I found there seems to be a general consensus that one should not use non-primer as an undercoat for metal models. The jury appeared to be out on using non-primer spray on plastics/resin. And so my initial purchase seems to be in vain.

 

The alternative is to exchange it for the black primer (if suitable), or the grey or white primer (which appears to be quite popular for undercoating). However, half my army has been painted off a black undercoat already, and so swapping to a lighter colour may be detrimental to the continuity of the army paint scheme (40k Emperor's Children in pre-heresy regalia). I suppose a round of black spray on top of a grey undercoat would work, but seems a superfluous step.

 

So, my question(s):

 

• Is the matt non-primer spray suitable for undercoating/priming metals models?
• If not, is the Halfords black primer (as linked to above) suitable for model painting purposes?
• If not, would a grey primer as undercoat cause a colour imbalance for a purple base coat when compared to a black undercoat?

 

I beseech thee, frater, for thine wisdom! 

 

[NovemberIX]

You are going to want to go get the can of primer (1). Halfords should work based on what everyone online who swears by it says (2) , there will be a difference between the black and grey base coats (3)

 

1: the primer gives a surface that bites into the model creating a stable layer for the model paint to then bite into, therefore actually going on in a pleasant and consistent manner, the matte spray may not adhere well, nor take additional layers well.

 

2: personally I prefer Duplicolor sandable auto primer, but halfords has come well recommended.

 

3: a darker undercoat generally means a darker overall model, or at least more layers applied to compensate.

 

I hope your questions are well answered!

[Fortis]

Thanks. Much like I thought!

 

As an aside, i am currently painting up some minis (a mix of metal and plastics), which were undercoated in Army Painter Matt Black Primer, and have noticed an unfortunate amount of flaking on the metal parts. I guess this supports what ive read elsewhere that the AP primer isnt a genuine primer; just acrylic spray paint. Or perhaps im just being a little rough with the minis. 

 

Who knows!

[Grotsmasha]

It's also possible there was some mould release residue on the metal, which interferes with paint adhesion.

[Jolemai]

I use Matt Black spray paint from Halfords and have no complaints.

For what it's worth I use it for undercoating my metallics and for undercoating/basecoating my Death Company.

[Fortis]

Thanks Jolemai, that was just the sort of confirmation i was looking for! Ill give it a blast and let y'all know how i get on

[Jolemai]

Thanks Jolemai, that was just the sort of confirmation i was looking for! Ill give it a blast and let y'all know how i get on

Test it on a small part/sample piece and if you like it, do a model, etc. Striping one later of paint should be easy enough should you not like the result...