Vallejo Primer.

[Uruk-Hai]

Hello!

What is your experience with this? I tested it today and Im not convinced.

Convenient , ready mixed for the airbrush. And it sprayed really well in the thin layers. Available in gray, black and white. I used the gray.

The surface gets a little plastic and not particularly matt. It bites not particularly good, and really lousy on metal. I didnt test it on styrene. Citadelle bites very very well in comparison. Nor can it be sanded as the paint comes off in flakes when going through the spots missed afterwards.

Iam interested in other primers you can run yourself in the airbrush. Let's hear your ideas, suggestions and experiences.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[housecarl]

I use brushable car primer, thinned 50/50 with cellulose thinner. Works a dream, dries really fast, and I just build up 2 or 3 thin layers.
Carl.

 

[John Bowery]

Janne,
You can decant spray primers into an airbrush bottle using a straw, and then airbrush your figure with the paint. I aim the straw to the side of the bottle so that the spray does not hit the bottom of the bottle and spit right back out??????? I do this sometimes if I feel I need to airbrush the primer. I also do this if I want to brush the primer with a brush in order to leave metal bare to be polished.
Cheers
John

 

[Jim Patrick]

Tamiya light gray (or any Tamiya paint for that matter). Thin it with Tamiya thinner (I found this works better than other thinners) and spray. Adheres to virtually anything and is COMPLETLY, dead flat thus allowing paint to adhere to it much better. Can be sanded with little to no effort and, best of all, doesn't flake off.

Jim Patrick

 

[kathrynloch]

I love Tamiya Fine Surface Gray and White for my resin horses. I need tooth for the pigments but if I get too much the pigments go grainy and it looks awful and takes a long time to fix. With Tamiya I get good coverage without filling detail and enough tooth but I can also "sock out" the model without a problem and the Tamiya stays put.

(Long story about the sock thing...lol!)

Anyone heard anything about Tamiya being available in the US again any time soon? Luckily I managed to get a healthy stockpile before they went MIA but it's not going to last forever.

Cheers,
Karrie

 

[redhorse]

I heard Tamiya was relabeling to comply with US law and it should be available again here within a couple of months.

 

[FigureLover]

I use Tamiya as well in the rattle can, but only the grey, not white. I have had troubles with paint coming off the white too easily, especially if I have airbrushed a basecoat. I have never airbrushed the primer as I have never seen the need though.
I also have found that the grey is nice and fine but does have a small amount of tooth for adhesion of overlaying paints, and is great for both metal and resin figures.
As some have already said in other threads, it is an idea to heat the can in warm water as it thins the primer more and you get a better coat.
Ben

 

[sam b]

I use games work shop chaos black in a spray can then a dusting of white from above as if the light was falling , it’s a bit hap hazard tho

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Thanks Figureteers for all chipping in.

Some update. After letting dry overnight the Vallejo Primer sticks very good on resin. Even if not as good as Citadelle Chaos Black. On metal however its only a tad bit better.

John.
I have been thinking of that, although I think its perhaps better to empty the pressure in the can by spraying upside down until it runs out and then puncture the can and salvage the paint?

Jim.
I also think that Tamiya bites very good. When using as a primer I go for a matt colour and thin it with Isopropylalcohol. That makes a good matt surface thats sticks very well, especially on styrene.

Ben.
The coat is even and fine. Additionally it was warm. But warming the can does help much, especially with Citadelle.

Sam.
I also do that sometimes. When I think the first black coat is too smoth or when Im gonna paint bright colours over it.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson