"Does primer matter?" Topic

1) yes, I use a primer marketed for use with miniatures
2) yes, I use car primer or something else with primer like properties (Gesso)
3) no, I undercoat with spray paint, or airbrush paint, or hand paint.
4) no, I paint directly onto the metal/plastic/resin.
5) I don't paint

3

Hey Pete,
Way back when we used to game in California I didn't prime my miniatures. Then I moved to Michigan and started collecting troops over again. I used primer specifically made for miniatures on those. The last 11 years I've been living in South Carolina and use regular flat black spray paint to undercoat my miniatures. Not sure the geography has anything to do with it, but that's about how it breaks down.
So, 4, followed by 1, followed by 3…

Started 34 years ago with 1, with enamels and seems no harm no foul. Moved slowly to acrylics still without primer and still seems no difference. Now 3 I use brush on primer. Have always spray over coated from day 1 I believe.

I use dirt cheap stuff from the grocery store. Works a charm.

Used plain black paint for years but use primer now.

For 3mm, I just spray in the colour they're supposed to be.

I am between 3 and 4.

Metal and hard plastic. I have found very little advantage of priming.

For resin and soft plastic, I would not skip primer as I have had real problems in the past.

And if I need a large surface to be a consistent color. Say an airplane's wings, terrain items such as a building's wall. Then I prime to help get even results.

3

3. The cheap $.99 USD Flat Black or Flat White from Walmart. Works like a charm.

3.

Cheapest available.

Last year I asked my niece to pick me up a can. Instead of the cheap Wally brand she got me a Rustoleum primer with the property of 'filling voids.' Needless to say I didn't use it to prime 15s…

3 by hand.

I find spraying leaves dead/missed places and you end up ether using to much spray to get all the low under cut spots or using a brush to get them any way, so I just brush on a coat of thinned black and dry brush a coat of white.

3

2 by hand

3 by hand

2 & 3

3

3

2. Unless it is styrene, then 3.

Damon.

2

3

I usually prime for metal figures, always with plastic. I prefer brush--on primer than spray primer, but the latter are better for resin and soft plastic.

2

3 I use enamel paint as an undercost. I'd hesitate to call it a "primer".

2

3 I use white acrylic craft paint

2 and 3 together – I use Krylon spray primer, usually black. And yes, primer matters.

3, 2, 4

Primer only matters if the paint will not stick to the minis.

2 and 3 together – I use Krylon white spray primer. And for me, primer does matter.

2. I prime the figures with black gesso. Slop it on with a big brush. When dry dry brush the figures with white.

2. Ace brand white or gray primer (usually white) – love it and it is dirt cheap.

1 & 2 depending on what I can get hold of at that particular time.

3. I use acrylic black or brown to prime my figures. It makes painting lasting more and colours brighter. It also helps in separate details. In my opinion it doesn't matter which primer you use provide you use one:-)
Marco

2.

I use acrylic black or brown to prime my figures. It makes painting lasting more and colours brighter.

How can a dark primer make colours brighter? In my experience, a dark primer makes colours look dingy.

2

1,2 and 3.

3

2

3+4 on metal, hard plastic, soft plastic, resin, wood, card, filler, whatever..

Primer doesn't appear to make a blind bit of difference.

This sounds like a job for myth busters.