"If you can't spray prime, what do you do?" Topic

So I recently moved into a new apartment, and the smaller space, plus the sooner-than-expected onset of winter, has curtailed my ability to spray prime my miniatures as I usually do. Any suggestions for good base-coating in the absence? I'm really at a loss. Is brush-on primer really any good?

The figure scales, by the way, if it makes a difference, are primarily 6mm and 3mm. Tanks, mostly. Any suggestions from the TMP groupmind are greatly appreciated.

I'd wait for a warmer day, and try to spray then, outside.

If you can place the tanks on a box lid, or other surface to aid in doing a batch of them at once, that'd be best.

Beware wind gusts though, if they aren't temporarily glued down, since dropping them could be catastrophic.

In the mean time, continue prepping, and working on scenarios, readling rules, etc.

I don't think I'd want to try a brush on primer with such small scales.

I prime indoors using thinned down artist gesso and an eight dollar airbrush from Harbour Freight.

I don't bother spraying the 3mm stuff. Just water down a black paint and use it. You won't be handling stuff at this small scale so having a great bond with primer isn't important in my opinion.

Gesso or other paint on primer.

I have the same space problem. Anyway my sinuses cant handle the sprays. I use vallejo white brushon or Reaper black brush on. Then I add a light coating of black to make sure its all covered. It works just as good as any spray on I've used.

Brush on gesso.

I switched to gesso several years ago and havent looked back. I can prime anytime inside the comfort of my basement without any fumes or bad smell. Im halfway through one $8 USD bottle and have done several hundred figures. For more info check out the workbench article I did several years back:

TMP link

Chuck

Vallejo brush on. Outstanding product!

I prime my 6mm with black paint.

Another vote for gesso. Fantastic stuff, but you do need to be sure to get complete coverage when you brush on, since it shrinks when drying. -- hpb

I always spray prime. (even if it means waiting a few days for the "right" day to do it) Quick spray, then bringing my tray back inside and put it in one of THESE link to dry

Keeps the smell out of the rest of the house, but lets me control the temp and humidity

Was a lifesaver when i lived up north and wanted to paint during the winter

Wait for warm weather, and paint what I already have primed. I'm just not patient enough for brush-on stuff. Plus, I'm a cheapskate; I can get spray primer a lot cheaper, at least per purchase. In the long run, maybe brush on is cheaper per project (I haven't compared, but it wouldn't surprise me), but I don't paint enough figs that I think it would warrant such a consideration.

Warmer weather is irrelevant where I am, yesterday it was 40 today it was 70 but the humidity was dripping from the trees. I wait for dry weather, not warm weather. As long the primer and the miniatures are in the same temp range, it's all good here.

Cheap airbrush & compressor?

Gesso if not handling.

Scale 75 primer is my primer of choice but may need two coats if brushing.

OR do what we all did about 25 years ago and use some Humbrol enamel thinned with white spirit and slap it on!

I find 3mm work fine with a basecoat brushed on rather than primer – I do add a bit of flow enhancer in the first coat though, so that it is more likely to penetrate the intricacies of the model (some bits will get missed and show up as obviously shiny so easy to spot and correct later).

6mm I will always spray prime. Luckily I have a shower room with exhaust fan so I can spray indoors. I have tried brush on primer for them but it never works as well and takes a lot longer.

If I was going to do it I'd pick a darkish colour that covers evenly even when reasonably thin and (essential this !) has an absolutely matt finish. Never used gesso of any sort but I'd have thought that it would clog detail at small scales – I thought it was what artists used to fill the weave of canvas but the name now seems to apply to something much more finely ground.

Vallejo surface primer, excellent results!

Someone else's review:

link

I brush on white,

Cheers!
Wilf

Paint brush & Gesso.

Brush on Humbrol matt white or matt light grey enamel. Been doing it that way for well over 30 years.

Vallejo brush on for me too – really nice to work with

Brush-on gesso works brilliantly. I've almost completely abandoned spray priming, even in the summer.

I see a lot of votes for Gesso. Any specific kind/product people like to use? Or is the Vallejo Surface Primer basically it?

And here's an ancillary question: I see a lot of people using airbrushes. What kind of kit do you use for things like that, aside from the brush/compressor unit? Do you use a hood and turntable?

Check out the off-hours in your laundry room? Should be warm in there all the time.

Uh… Better make certain that laundry room doesn't have any potential ignition sources, like pilot lights for gas dryers. But even if that's okay, spray painting in an enclosed interior space without a chemical vent hood is not a good idea.

I haven't done those small scales but I too use Liquitex gesso.

Gesso can be airbrushed so I still spray when that makes sense.

If you have room in your apartment get a hobby spray booth and rig a vent out the window. I have a garage so space/setup was less of an issue for me, but I'm very glad I did that; I can spray whatever I need any time.

Harbor Freight has the following setup for less than $100. USD If you already have an airtank or compressor it will be much cheaper. The simple single action airbrush works great for priming, painting vehicles, and painting terrain.

@MrAverage

Gesso comes in liquid and spray, black and white and can be used with an airbrush. liquitex is the brand most available. You can get it at craft or fine art stores and online of course. Relatively minimal learning curve, adheres to most surfaces, easy cleanup, and is designed to work with all types of paint. About ten years using it now on metal and plastic (hard and soft) figures and see no need for any other primer.

DO NOT BUY THAT AIR COMPRESSOR!!!!! I had it in my house for 2 days when the laser's compressor died. You want to know what it sounds like to have a hammer slammed into your ear drum… buy that compressor. If you want to get evicted because of the noise then go for it. I clocked it in at 98 Db. They have some smaller air compressor ones that might be a bit quieter but that pancake one was a waste of money.

I do something that might not be the best solution but it works for me. I keep the paint and figures inside. They are room temp when I take them outside. I use 1' by 1' ceramic tiles as trays. They get sprayed and then I bring them in and lock them in the bathroom with a fan on. Keeps the fumes down and they don't ever get cold enough to be an issue. I don't do this with clear coats and I'm in florida so the lowest temp I've tried it at is around 45F.

I hardly ever prime 6mm miniatures. I simply base coat in the predominate color and have never had a problem. I dip all the figs in clear wash when finished which helps protect them.

Michael's and JoAnn'a Fabric alway have %40-%50 coupon in the news and on their site. My wife gets them all the time. Got me a cheap little badger compressor at half price.

The great thing about a compressor with a tank on it is that it does not need to run continuously. Fill up the tank, shut it off.

It may be loud, but it doesn't have to run constantly.

I spray prime in brown.
If I am unable to spray in brown I just use my regular white, water it down a touch and paint on.

I agree completely with Wilf12358, click on his link. I'll never sprayprime again that's for sure….