Asking for suggestions/reviews on Paints/Primers to use and where to purchase them.

[Semnos]

Good afternoon, and thanks for reading. I’m posting this as I still consider myself a novice in miniature painting and modeling, and, frankly, I need some help with priming using my airbrush.

I currently own a Paasche VL-SET, Dual Action Airbrush. I’ve used it a couple of times now, and know it is a powerful tool which I’ve seen some artists online create beautiful pieces from models. One of the things I’m struggling with most is I want to use the airbrush to not only “paint,” but to also prime my miniatures. I used to use Krylon Spray primer, but the problem is a typical Aerosol can does not give you the control an Airbrush can give you. I realize it is probably more expensive, but I’ve read it gives you the ability to creat a more even coat on a model, while also leaving more detail.

So, here’s the problem. I’m struggling with trying to find a bottled primer which I can use in an airbrush. And I’m not just limiting this to Acrylic paints. I need Acrylic, Enamel, and I’d even be interested in looking at lacquers as I also am painting some larger models (currently 2 military model airplanes.)

First, what brands do you recommend? I’ve read and heard about the following:
1) Tamiya
2) Testors (Floquil)
3) Gunze
4) Alclad II
5) Reaper MSP
6) Vallejo
Also, along this line, are there any product reviews out there, either seperately for each brand, or where most if not all have been compared to one another?

I'd also be interested in seeing your opinions on these, or other brands, concerning painting using standard brushes?

Also of note, what brands of brushes do you recommend?

Second part, where can I purchase them? This seems to be the hardest part which I’m running into here. Looking for retailers either online, or an FLGS. I’m located in Northeast Ohio in the United States. So I probably would be looking at online as I know many of the FLGS's in the Canton, Ohio area.

I’ve really gotten frustrated as I’ve gone to a couple of hobby shops in the area over the past couple of weeks, as well as some larger arts & craft retailers, and the moment I ask for a non-Aerosole primer, I get a blank stare.

So, any help in this area would be appreciated. I posted a similar question on Reaper’s Msg Board and a couple of folks did help out, but now my questions have become more extensive.
Thanks,
Semnos.

 

[airhead]

Why do you need all that "Control" in priming?

Rattle cans of automotive primer or krylon are much more cost effective and will give a more durable surface than most things you can or want to pump through your airbrush.
None of the water-based primer products will match a good solvent based primer in durability, hardness or adhesion.

My personal favs are:
Duplicolor automotive primer (smaller cans from Wal-Marx, etc. - comes in black, white, grey, red-lead)
Krylon white primer (I've not found any black primer, only matt black paint which is not as good)
Tamaya primer (expensive, but puts down a great smooth coat for display/contest pieces.)

BUT:
If you are dead set on using your airbrush to pump primer:
Water-based:
GW Smelly Primer (if you can still find it)
Reaper paintable primer.
Gesso (primer / filler for canvas painters - go easy or you won't have any details)

Oil based:
The sky is the limit - but know what you are doing with these before huffing some of the carriers.
Automotive primers, including urethanes and two-part epoxies (great way to ruin a gun, but they are HARD).

 

[Morsi]

No doubt for me

Gunze flat white with mr color thinner (gunze thinner). I use it in all my miniatures (including those painted in black)

 

[Einion]

...but the problem is a typical Aerosol can does not give you the control an Airbrush can give you. I realize it is probably more expensive, but I’ve read it gives you the ability to creat a more even coat on a model, while also leaving more detail.

This can certainly be true, but the problem is that there are a lot of variables. You're well aware I'm sure that two dudes can get poor and excellent results with the same spraycan of paint or primer, which is enough to give an idea that conditions, prep and spray technique* and other differences can be key to the quality of results.

FWIW I think primer toughness is pretty important, even though I don't handle my models at all if I can help it; I learned this the hard way years ago when I'd get worn spots on sharp corners during assembly or basing, which was because my primer wasn't good enough. So I also suggest using a rattle-can primer, primarily for toughness but also for cost reasons.

Something to consider for the best of both worlds is to decant a canned primer, dilute if necessary and then airbrush it. But few people go to this kind of trouble except for awesome paints or overcoats that really have to airbrushed for the scale we work (I've done this for auto chroma paints for example).

*Things like genuinely shaking the can for long enough, warming it before use, spraying from the right distance, passes v. shooting directly in bursts.

Also of note, what brands of brushes do you recommend?

Raphaël, Escoda, daVinci, Rekab, Dick Blick's own brand.

Lots and lots of prior threads here with brush recommendations.

Second part, where can I purchase them?

Any of the major art retailer online will have a good selection to pick from and it's worth doing some comparisons to compare prices with the shipping included.

Einion