"cheap Wal-Mart Primer?" Topic

a while ago someone posted that they'd been saving lots by using cheap Wal-mart black primer, and that it worked just as well as the specialist hobby primers. I just ran out, so was going to try this wonder stuff!

Anyone know the exact brand name, etc?

I use Krylon which I believe several people have posted here as using. You can get it many places including Wal-Mart (I guess) and Hobby Lobby and ACE Hardware. Shake it well, especially the black primer.

There are other primer colors including gray and brown-rust.

I just picked up four cans of flat black for $0.96 USD a can at my local WalMart. I also bought a can of Krylon clear flat for about $2.90. The flat black & white paint is their generic product. Can't recall the name (slaving away at work right now), but you can't miss it – just look for the price Dean

I could only find gray primer in the 96 cent cans when I was there the other day.

No white, or black primer to speak of, although they did have paint.

I imagine the primer is better than the paint, presumably being made to stick to the item being primed better, but am not 100% sure.

I splurged for $2.97 USD white Krylon primer instead.

My cans just say 'colorplace' in small letters at top… much larger in the middle it says 'spray paint'.
It's what I've been using for a while and seems to work fine.
The coverage is very light… so doesn't fill in details as easily as better spray paint might.

Home Depot has cheap flat black primer for 96 cents as well. Works great. I have been using it for 5 years.

I've used the Wal-Mart Gray,Black & White primers & flat paint for years and have never had a problem.

I use Rustoleum's America's Finest flat black. I've picked it up at either Walmart or Home Depot, can't remember which one.

Colour Place is the brand name of the Wal-Mart stuff. Get the flat black that states "quick drying".

Cheers

w.

As much as I look, I just can't find black primer at Walmart or Home Depot. I see flat black spray paint, but not primer.

Maybe I was at Lowes? I'm sure I've looked both places. I know the craft stores quit carrying it.

andy

Colour Place – yep, that's the name of the brand at WalMart – thanks Wehrmacht

They used to carry it, but not sure if they still do.

The only 96 cent primer I could find, that actually said "primer" on the shelf pricetag, and on the back of the can was in gray.

if it works as well as the hobby stuff, I'm going to feel like an idiot for buying Armory (RIP) and GW at $10 USD all these years!

But "in this economy" reform must be considered! :)

Does it work on plastic?

stevet:

I used the Walmart stuff on Victrix & Perry plastics – just fine. For the more soft plastic stuff like most 1/72 stuff – I tried Rustoleum plastic primer link a bit pricey, and I actually think the cheaper stuff would be fine. If you bend the plastic enough, any paint will eventually flake off. Dean

Thanks Dean

I much prefer Krylon Grey primer. Go on their website and they list a ton of stores which they say carries their product. I say that because they list Walmart but Walmart doesn't carry it. Here is a short list:

Ace
Do it Best
Hobby Lobby
Home Depot
Kmart
Michaels
Sears
Sherwin Williams
True Value

Rich

Andy & Top Gun Ace:

You're both right – the WalMart Colour Place $0.96 USD stuff is not sold as "primer." It is just flat black or flat white spray paint. Dean

Last time I tried (at least 3 years ago) the cheap WalMart primer, I was not happy with the results. It seemed like the primer never really dried – or it at least it took a very long time to dry. I was never able to get good coverage over the primer…

That said, they may have a new supplier/manufacturer so results today may well be different from my experience.

The Wal Mart stuff I've been using doesn't say 'primer' on it anywhere… still, it seems fine.
Usually I prime black but lately I have been thinking of switching to gray or brown.

The Walmart stuff isn't primer it's flat black paint.

I have used the ColorPlace flat black spray paint from Wal Mart as my main primer for years. I've probably gone through 30-40 cans. It works fine for me. I use it on both metal and plastic figures.

I have never tried the expensive primers or spray paints put out by the Amory, GW, etc., so I really can't compare.

I use the Colorplace flat white paint as my primer of choice. Try to get a newer can – I've sometimes had problems after letting the can sit around awhile. Test it first, then go at it.

It covers thinly, provides plenty of "tooth," and is a steal at $1 USD per can.

I switched to cheaper Krylon white and gray. Works great. One thing I have noticed is that, if I used the same distance and stroke I used to use with the more expensive hobby label paint, I would get little paint beads and a very rough surface. Now, I just get a little closer and spray ever so slighty slower. Just my experience.

I used the Krylon white primer this afternoon, and it worked very well.

Sprayed on nice and smooth, with no little dusty particles to mar the surface.

$3.00 USD a can, which is more than 96 cents, but sure beats $10.00 USD a can.

Sorry, my bad. The Home Depot one is also not a primer. It's flat black enamel spray paint. The brand is Quick Color Fast Drying All Purpose. I've been using it as a primer on metal miniatures and it sticks very well. In fact, it is rather tenacious as a lot of work was required to strip it off some old figures I wanted to repaint.

I've gotten the sandable primer at Wal Mart but have only found white the past couple of years.
I had found a case oF grey sandable primer at an army surplus and it worked good.
Pretty sure I've used the Krylon brand also.

I just make sure it states sandable primer as it is abit rougher and the paint adheres to it well. (no sanding required)

Used for 15mm, 20mm and 28mm.

Its a real miracle primer. Its dirt cheap, works as good as $15 USD gw primer. You need to use more because it is thin but that no way impacts the price point which is incredible. It also doesnt stink up the joint like gw primer.

It doesnt obscure detail like other cheap primers.

Like everyone said, its paint not primer.

BTW has anyone used the white version?

In the past year, I have found that the cheap black paint from Walmart and Lowes does not work as well when priming resin. Apparently they have thinned it out a lot and it takes several coats to get proper coverage, because it runs. I have switched back to the $3+ cans of flat black from Krylon and Rustoleum.

I used to always use the cheap walmart stuff (100's of cans) as the best, but they apparently changed the formula.

With that said, it still works fine on metals.

Doug

Rogzombie:

If you're asking about the WalMart Colour Place flat white – I have had the experience of it leaving a "flaky" finish. I think it was because I sprayed it too far away from the figures & also because of the hot weather. I tried it again on some figures I needed based white (for LBM transfers). And it came out smooth – I consciously made sure I sprayed at a close distance – about 6 inches from the figures. Regards, Dean

Dean,

I am with you mate. About 6 to 8 inches away works perfect!

Have been 100% satisfied with WalMart flat white spray paint for many a year. If you use anything else you are wasting money.

Cheers,

Alex

Real figure painters use gesso with a brush.

Rich

the wal-mart stuff is cheap for a reason: it's inconsistent, re-labeled off-brand cans. one batch could be the greatest thig ever, but the next time you buy it, leave your figure a runny, blobby mess. I'd rather pay up for a brand name then take a risk with the colorplace stuff.