Good priming techniques

[tanis5811]

I am looking for some advice on technique. I have noticed that when I prime a mini it's not entirely smooth. I am trying to improve my overall painting, but I think it needs to start with a smooth prime. I spend a lot of time prepping, but it just seems somewhat lumpy when I look at it under magnification. Does anyone have advise on technique, brand, temperature to prime or anything to get better results?

[Bloodhowl]

Question for you: Spray or brush on primer?

If you are looking at it under magnification and it is a touch bumpy, that is ok, that's what gives the paint a good surface to adhere to. If it is an orange peel, or fisheye, then you are not priming correctly.

I don't normally use a brush on. I use Rustoleum or Krylon spray primer. Make sure it says primer on the can.

Steps:
1. Wash mini with dish washing soap to remove skin oils and mold release agents. Dry. Either air dry, or speed things up with a hair dryer.
2. Make sure temperature of mini and spray can are very close to each other. The can will tell you optimal temp range(think it is something like 70-85 F)
3. Shake bejeebers out of spray can (I shake it for approx 2-3 mins)
3. Choose an area well ventilated and out of the wind.
4. Hold can 6"-12" (varies by spray manufacturer, so experiment first)
5. Start spray to one side of mini and pass it over the mini, letting off spray once it is past mini.
6. Rotate and spray other side. Light dusting each time.
7. Let first coat dry a bit. (I usually wait 5-10 mins. Or longer if my spawn are acting up!)
8. Repeat until mini is covered to your satisfaction.
9. Set aside in dust free area to let dry. (I usually let dry 24 hours before slapping on first layer of paint, but that is up to you. Most primers say dry and workable anywhere from 30 mins up to 3 hours)

Easy peasy!

[tanis5811]

Thank you for the tips. I have been spraying. The last mini that I really noticed this on was one I did in the garage (cold garage). This could be a problem. I don't really have warm area to spray though. I may also have been applying to thick with each coat.

[QuietiManes]

Which spray primer are you using? Some are really thick and grainy, because they're not meant for miniatures, like house primers for example, lots of them actually go on quite rough and thick, some even expand while they cure, to fill in wall deformities. You've got to use one that goes on thin and smooth.

[Elric2k]

I live in spokane washington, where it is currently around 20 degress and i consistently prime during these winter months, outside, when most people would think me crazy. Krylon primers are ridiculously hearty to weather, and they dry completely in 10-15 minutes. I would give krylon a shot, and like bloodhowl said, make sure you are a few inches from the mini and whatever you do, do NOT spray one part over and over. Give it a quick go side to side do not stop or start the paint on the mini itself. Begin spraying and move the can across the mini after the stream has started, and stop spraying after the stream is past the mini.

[Ordo Septenarius]

I live in spokane washington, where it is currently around 20 degress and i consistently prime during these winter months, outside, when most people would think me crazy. Krylon primers are ridiculously hearty to weather, and they dry completely in 10-15 minutes. I would give krylon a shot, and like bloodhowl said, make sure you are a few inches from the mini and whatever you do, do NOT spray one part over and over. Give it a quick go side to side do not stop or start the paint on the mini itself. Begin spraying and move the can across the mini after the stream has started, and stop spraying after the stream is past the mini.

Totally agree with you on the Krylon (Portland, Oregon here). A couple things to make the Krylon experience better.

1. Store the cans indoors; the tendency is to leave the cans in the cold garage, but keep them warm (room temperature) if possible.
2. Get the Krylon Flat, NOT the primer; the primers are sandable and chalky by nature. The flat ones go on smooth and matte.

[tanis5811]

I use a rostolleum metal primer, I know it's not the best. I will give krylon a try.

[moetle]

If you can't find krylon, i suggest Dupli-Color sandable primer. The spray nozzle the have on their cans is really nice and it goes on well.

[Dragonsreach]

Don't forget to turn the mini upside down so you don't miss awkward areas.

[EvilEgg]

I'm only recently getting back into the hobby of modeling and mini painting, but I love the krylon fusion paints for plastics... the trick is not to over paint. For some machines and armor plates, a quick pass from multiple angles and the model primed. I love using two shades of the same color to prime for certain things, like the last set of demons I did a burgundy red from the lower angles and then sprayed a brighter red from the top down... gives a nice effect to start painting.

[Einion]

Does anyone have advise on technique, brand, temperature to prime or anything to get better results?

There are tips on getting the best results from any spray in a number of prior threads, but in short here are the key ones:

shake the can properly - if it says to shake for two minutes shake for two minutes, not 'two minutes' (which is more like 30-40 seconds in practice!);
warm can in water (no hotter than hand-hot for safety);
use good spraying technique - find tips online, do comparisons for yourself;
if you are priming for a while shake the can periodically, and return it to the warm water esp if it's very cold;
always test primer on a scrap before shooting your miniature.

Thread from last year with more related info: Grainy primer?

I use a rostolleum metal primer, I know it's not the best. I will give krylon a try.

I wouldn't be too quick here - a number of the top miniaturists use Rust-Oleum primers. And there are people who specifically warn against using Krylon. Just to make things a little more complex there are multiple types of primers (and paints that can be used as primer) available from both, so it's a good idea to try to find out the exact one being used when it has been given a thumbsup or thumbsdown.

The thing to avoid with just about any primer from a rattlecan, no matter how good it is, is not to apply it too thickly; especially in a single coat. Too sparsely is also something to avoid if you can, although if the primer coat is light in recesses on the casting it's not too much to worry about.

Einion

[Cileon]

Like Einion said, try not to overdo the whole priming process. If you paint mostly metal mini's, the most important thing is to clean them. If you cleaned them well enough, a quick spray while holding the mini a bit at an angle is more than enough. And just shake it really well, never did al the hot water things and I spray in a cold area, never had problems, just never spray for a long period, always quick sprays.

Cileon

[RuneBrush]

One thing to also bear in mind is if you mini is a display or gaming piece. A display piece only needs a layer of primer to provide adherence for the paint and as such can be quite a light coat. If the mini is going to be use for gaming (or often handled) then you'll need a slightly more thorough coverage (i.e. no base colour showing through) - note I don't say thick, multiple light layers are the key. Although the most important bit of a gaming piece is the protective varnish, the primer layer is important in it's own way

[ProjectThanatos]

I've had very good results with Krylon. ALso remember to clean your spray tips after use. A lot of people neglect this.

[Matney X]

If you can't find krylon, i suggest Dupli-Color sandable primer. The spray nozzle the have on their cans is really nice and it goes on well.

I second the Dupli-Color sandable primer (I get mine from O'Reilly Auto Parts). In my experience, the white primer comes out thicker and more chalk-like than the black. Store your primer in your house, so it's at least room temperature when you're priming in the cold.

[Ordo Septenarius]

I second the Dupli-Color sandable primer (I get mine from O'Reilly Auto Parts). In my experience, the white primer comes out thicker and more chalk-like than the black. Store your primer in your house, so it's at least room temperature when you're priming in the cold.

And again, I'd advise against primer, and go for the Flat Krylon ^_^

[tanis5811]

I paint minis mostly for display. So I should watch the amout primer I use. Thanks for the tips, I'll keep you up to date on how they improve the results.

[toñete]

Very thanks!

[Diceplague]

I´m using the Vallejo Gris Acrylic primer (last 4 minis) brushed on and I have to say that I´m very happy with the results so far. Usually I get my figure very well prepared, sanding it until it´s shining. The primed minis looks very smooth and It really adheres to the metal. As a bonus, even when you splash all the figure the primer shrink and save the details.

[EvilEgg]

I've had very good results with Krylon. ALso remember to clean your spray tips after use. A lot of people neglect this.

Quoted for truth!