Getting started

[Trevor]

In regards to my Verlinden USAAF bomber crew man, I'd like to get an idea on the primers which I should look at. Its moulded in an odd, grey/green resin and I'm planning on using oils for the colour coats.

Should I use white, or grey and what brand(s) do you recommend?

 

[Guy]

Hello Trevor,
I would reccomend Floquil Model railroad primer that comes in spray can or bottle. It shrinks tightly when drying and gives a good foundation for the oils, It comes in gray and (hard to find) white base coat. Been using the spray R9 primer for years over resin and metal.

guy

 

[Kreston]

Either a white or a gray primer will work. I use the Floquil gray primer because I find it is easier, with gray, to find any seam lines I have have missed during the cleanup process.

Kreston

 

[yeo_64]

Trevor,have you tried priming the figure in black ?That's what I do and the results speak for themselves.Learnt the technique from the Games Workshop crowd.It gives the model an extra depth of shading,although it's hell to see seam lines ! I use Tamiya's Matt Black acrylic spray paint can.Cheers.
Kenneth

 

[Robin]

I undercoat in a grey car primer, to achieve what kenneth does I wash that in black acrylic seems to have the same effect.

Robin

 

[Pete_H]

Hi there, Trevor! I agree with Kreston - gray is better. I've primed figures with white primer and missed flaws on the figure simply because of the stark color of the primer (it's WHITE!). However with grays, I've found it easier to see flaws - seamlines, pits, slippage, etc. - with this color. There is nothing worse than being well on your way through painting a figure only to find a slight little seamline on the figure. Yyyyyyyyyyyuck!

As to which primer is the best, well, I know for a fact that a lot of guys in this hobby go with gray auto primer. Why? It's fine enough to not obscure any detail, it's cheap (regularly $3/can compared to Floquil primer that runs you about twice as much - I kid you not!), and it's readily available just about anywhere you look at.

No matter what you do ... for God's sake, do NOT use silver paint as primer. Trust me, it sucks big-time.

One last thing: do not spray too much primer on the figure. What I do is simply spray the can and run the figure through it a couple of times on all sides to give it just enough primer. Just remember not to overdo it. If you don't get the complete coverage onthe first pass, then give yourself time to let the paint dry and go through with a second coat.

 

[Robin]

Kewl advice from Pete there that is exactly what I do when I prime.

Robin

 

[Anders Heintz]

I also agree to go with the white or gray primer. I usually use a very cheap primer, It's a spray can from Color Place, it is called Equipment Gray and cost like 98¢ at WalMart. I ran out and been to lazy to go get more so lately Ive been using Games Workshops White Primer, and Im not sure if it is better or worse then gray, but it is more expensive like $7.99 or something outrageous like that.

There is just something about an assembled figure primed in pure white that looks really cool.

 

[Franco]

What works for me is the Tamiya Grey Primer. rather expensive but gives a great finish. I find it also important to warm the aerosol tin up a little in warm water - cautious that the water is not too hot!!!

I find this removes the ugly blobs that one can get when priming figures.

I have also tried using white but keep going back to grey.

Once primed I use Vallejo and Andrea acrylics as base coats and then paint over these in oils.

Hope this helps
Cheers

Franco

 

[Trevor]

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

I think I'll try the grey automotive primer first and see how that goes. I also like Ken's idea of painting a black undercoat. I'll definately keep it in mind as I do more and more figures.

 

[Lou Masses]

I agree with Franco and Kreston, having tried everytihgn else. I stick with grey Tamiya primer-,more expensive, but very good surface and the grey helps catch missed lines.

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Trevor,

Sorry for a late reply but what I use is just a grey color from Tamiya. I airbrush it and it works great.

Joe

 

[turcao]

Hi Trevor,
I've reached great results applying gray "Mr Surfacer" Primer ( from Gunze ).
I usually airbrush 2 thin hands ( about 10 hours gap between hands ).

Good luck,

Arthur.

 

[johnbrewer]

I am sure that i read somwhere that one modeller has used orange for a primer for the flesh areas, anyone else tried it?.

 

[KeithP]

One other question / comment:

On earlier resin figures I had bruished on Val foundation white and was quite happy.

for my first metal figure, I sprayed with GRAY floquil. Great coverage.

However, I have had to use up to 8 coats of acrylic white and yellow base coats. I really thought to switch over to the WHITE.

I really really don't want to gov with a thicker acylic base coats...

No one else has this problem with GRAY primer?

Keith

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Keith!

When I prime with gray, I usually undercoat the areas that requires a light shade with white, like with yellow, I would paint the area white then build up the yellow.

 

[Brandy Small]

I know I am stepping away from traditional figure paints, but by luck I found a Gray Ral-Partha primer and it works wonders, I don't think you can find the brand but Citidel Minitures (War Gaming) primer is pretty close and works well.

 

[John Long]

I've used the Ral-Partha primer before. I liked it really well, but it's not readily available here. I use what I can find at Home Depot these days.