Is primer that important?

[Desertmerc]

Like the subject says, I have been wondering whether primer is something that you should always put before you begin painting. I am pretty new to painting, so I have not had the chance to see which looks best and what does not, so if you can, please give me some input.

 

[Necroghast]

Yes. Definitely if you want it to look good.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

primer gives the paint a suitable surface to adhere to, especialy when you are using highly diluted paint.

it doesn\'t need to be a thick layer, the thinner the better realy, so that it doesn\'t cover up any detail.
if you use a spray can then hold it 4-6inches away and use quick 1 second bursts.

spray from above (45 degress roughly)whilst rotating the model then from a below angle (roughly 45 degrees)

i usualy give 4-5 bursts from each angle whilst rotating the model.

with a white undercoat it will be that thin it will look grey, if it looks pure white then you have put too much on.
it\'s just a matter of practice mate.

 

[Footoomba]

it not only gives a solid key for the paint but also effects the reflective qualities of the colour, helping them to be more vibrant and deep

 

[Mr Scream]

As above, God yes!! My 2 cents is to try out a range of primers and dont just go for Chaos Black or skull white.

 

[mickc22]

A good primer is the key to getting a good finish

Plasticote do several, black, grey,white, red

spray in a passing motion, up & down, left & right, doesn\'t really matter. The important thing is not to start or finish the spray on the mini, but to one side or the other

 

[Joek]

Of course, if you\'re using grey or white I have to say that you\'ll also be able to see the details without ruining your eyesight!

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Desertmerc
Like the subject says, I have been wondering whether primer is something that you should always put before you begin painting.

Yes, unless you\'re using polished kit metal to represent steel or whatever; priming is the way to go otherwise.

You can use paint directly on resin or metal but it doesn\'t bond well and will rub or scrape off very easily (even during handing for attachment of parts or basing, not just for gaming).

Einion

 

[Desertmerc]

Thanks for all the quick replies! I have tried painting a couple of models without primer, and I noticed that the paint would just not stick to the model. One quick question, when I am painting a face, should I base coat the face, or leave the primer alone and use the primer as a base?

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by Desertmerc
One quick question, when I am painting a face, should I base coat the face, or leave the primer alone and use the primer as a base?

Most people basecoat with a suitable colour, then begin the highlighting & shading. But depending on the colour of the primer you might like to try it both ways, see which you prefer - you might use both methods on one mini for different colours, to suit how you want each one to look.

Einion

 

[Aliengod3]

Acrylic paint is basically liquid plastic. Plastic adheres well to pretty much everything except other plastic. Priming your mini IS important because it lets your paint stick to your mini.

Also the amount of primer on your mini is important. You want just enough to create a nice smooth but slightly textured surface so that your paint has something to stick to without making the primer look caked on, ruining the details of the mini.

 

[BrutusThePharynx]

Hi
and sry for hijacking this thread but I was kinda wondering the same thing about the primer.
So far I\'ve been using GW Chaos Black. When I was reading the forum I learned that this is not a true prime but rather an undercoat. So I\'m about to order a \"true\" primer and the options I\'ve found so far are Vallejo and Armypainter. Which of the above is better? Or there primers that are way better than those?

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by BrutusThePharynx
So far I\'ve been using GW Chaos Black. When I was reading the forum I learned that this is not a true prime but rather an undercoat.

Originally posted by BrutusThePharynx
So I\'m about to order a \"true\" primer and the options I\'ve found so far are Vallejo and Armypainter. Which of the above is better? Or there primers that are way better than those?

Do you have shops there that sell supplies for cars, with polish, spraypaint etc? They should stock one or two brands of primer, usually in grey these days. Hycote\'s a good brand if it\'s available there.

Automotive primer is generally not expensive, very strong, bonds well and if you shake the can properly and warm it before use it\'ll give a great, thin, coat.

Einion

 

[BrutusThePharynx]

Do you have shops there that sell supplies for cars, with polish, spraypaint etc? They should stock one or two brands of primer, usually in grey these days. Hycote\'s a good brand if it\'s available there.

Ok thx
But I somewhat remeber having read that certain primers can \"attack\" plastics. Is this true or not!?
Also is the rustprotection, some automotive-primers claim to include, something to avoid?

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by BrutusThePharynx
But I somewhat remeber having read that certain primers can \"attack\" plastics. Is this true or not!?

Yes, cellulose primers have a strong solvent in them; you can sometimes use this on plastics if you spray carefully but I use the acrylic type.

Originally posted by BrutusThePharynx
Also is the rustprotection, some automotive-primers claim to include, something to avoid?

Don\'t know, sorry.

Einion

 

[BrutusThePharynx]

Ah ok. I think I found what you meant at a carsupplier. Thanks alot :beer:

 

[Einion]

Welcome! That\'s what the forums are for.

Einion

 

[Sauce Devil]

Originally posted by Einion

Originally posted by Desertmerc
One quick question, when I am painting a face, should I base coat the face, or leave the primer alone and use the primer as a base?

Most people basecoat with a suitable colour, then begin the highlighting & shading. But depending on the colour of the primer you might like to try it both ways, see which you prefer - you might use both methods on one mini for different colours, to suit how you want each one to look.

Einion

If the primer is white, black or grey then you will almost certainly need a base-coat of a flesh color; Citadel Elf Flesh is my usual choice for humans - and Elves.

There are exceptions; I primed a load of plastic Lizardmen with orange Plasticote, it\'s thick stuff but it works both as a primer and base-coat.

 

[Sauce Devil]

++++Stop Press++++


I think a minor mystery has been solved as to why some people swear by Games Workshop\'s primers but other people think they suck. According to pro-painter Amy Brehm:

\"I highly recommend NOT using Citadel primer, it flacks off, rubs off, and is very not durable. Although, if you are lucky enough to live in europe, the uk games workshop primer is the best primer out there.\"

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by Sauce Devil
++++Stop Press++++


I think a minor mystery has been solved as to why some people swear by Games Workshop\'s primers but other people think they suck. According to pro-painter Amy Brehm:

\"I highly recommend NOT using Citadel primer, it flacks off, rubs off, and is very not durable. Although, if you are lucky enough to live in europe, the uk games workshop primer is the best primer out there.\"

Very Interesting.
Manufacturers difference perhaps?