Mcrat Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Hi just a quick question on how long Army Painter Primer's are supposed to last? Bought mine a month ago and have only used it on 4-5 occasions coating a handful of space marines at a time. In total I've coated 15 + most of a dread and now it's empty. At least I assume it's empty - the paint stopped coming out with a gradual decline in pressure similar to spray-on deodorant when it's getting empty. And now nothing comes out (air or paint) when I press the nozzle. I assumed it would last longer than this, so perhaps I'm using the spray ineffectively? After trying to batch prime my first five models and blotting out a bunch of detail, I looked online to find a demo on how to apply. I came across this video and started using this method - https://youtu.be/WKmmY5IBJBA?t=7m22s I also twist and turn the model to get the spray in all the nooks and crannies I can as I want a nice smooth covering of red for my Blood Angels. So hard to diagnose over the internet I know, but is this normal lifespan of the primer, am I over-using, or did I get a dud? Forgot to say, the can still has a bit of weight in it. It's not as heavy as new, but still feels like there is liquid inside when you turn the can upside down. So any chance it's a nozzle issue? Thanks! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major_Gilbear Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Yeah, with Army Painter spray primers, they are somewhat notorious for two things: getting clogged nozzles (even if you clean them) and having relatively little solvent/propellant. As I have mentioned previously in B&C, I think they are designed to be used in just a couple of big sessions (say, for spraying a whole army - as their name suggests), and that's it. Regular (even if careful) use seems to clog the nozzle and drain the solvent/propellant pretty quickly, and though I'm sure some folks have reasonably good luck with them, a lot of people do struggle to get consistent results from them. The last thread on the matter was here, and there are suggestions in there for cleaning/replacing nozzles too. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4695597 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcrat Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks for the info. I found that thread you linked in my search as well, but I just didn't know if mine was a nozzle issue or empty can issue. Being new and having not used a primer spray before I didn't know how long it was supposed to last so thought my expectations were just wrong. But hopefully it is a nozzle issue. I'll try cleaning/replacing the nozzle and see how I go. I've never turned the can upside down after spraying before, so maybe I should start doing that? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4695599 Share on other sites More sharing options...
battle captain corpus Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Mcrat: yep, after you've finished spraying turn the can upside down and hold the nozzle down until no paint is coming through. It will still hiss (hopefully!) and that should clear out the nozzle. Try and spray in short sharp bursts, working the can side to side. I've found if you blutac miniatures to an old chair leg or sturdy piece of wood you can hold this nicely and get all angles! Alternatively you can blutac miniatures to a box and then hold the box or put your hand up and inside. BCC Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4698011 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoic Raptor Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Also, shake very well prior to spraying. If you don't, you'll get more propellant and less pigment coming out when you spray, which eventually means there will be a lot of leftover paint and no pressure. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4699020 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mateus of ultramar Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 I got a full battle company out of my can of ultramarine blue, but ive heard very much mileage varies Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4701557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcrat Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Also, shake very well prior to spraying. If you don't, you'll get more propellant and less pigment coming out when you spray, which eventually means there will be a lot of leftover paint and no pressure. I think this is where I went wrong to be honest. Will know better for next time. But will also do the upside-down thing as well to help. I got a full battle company out of my can of ultramarine blue, but ive heard very much mileage varies Good to know! Hopefully I'll get mileage along those lines for my next can. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4701658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoic Raptor Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Yeah, turning it over after spraying to clear the nozzle is good - but don't do it too long because that's just straight propellant that comes out. Also, you may notice that the can becomes cooler to the touch as you spray (Boyle's Law and all that), so you may want to sit it in a bowl of warm (not hot!) water or run it under the tap for a while if you're in the middle of a larger product. This will increase the pressure in the can and make the remaining propellant go a little farther. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/332412-army-painter-primer-empty-already/#findComment-4701784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.