Reducing the cost of primering

[lono]

Hey people. So, I have approximately 200 models built and based and ready to primer in black (I know, I'm scared too!). That's a lot of spraying! I was wondering if there's a general consensus on the best way to spray in bulk. I have an airbrush, but I can't work out if using it's going to be cheaper than buying a GW, or alternative spray can.

I'm considering using a tube I have of artists acrylic black in my airbrush (which I'd have to thin quite a bit), but I don't know if it'll adhere quite as well as using a pot of Chaos Black or a black spray can.

Any opinions would be great.

 

[Einion]

I'm considering using a tube I have of artists acrylic black in my airbrush (which I'd have to thin quite a bit), but I don't know if it'll adhere quite as well as using a pot of Chaos Black or a black spray can.

Generally this would be a definite no. Most standard acrylic paints don't cling worth a damn to unprimed metal or plastics of the type minis are made from - you could easily scrape it off with a fingernail even after it has fully cured (two days +).

I think your cheapest option would be to prime with an auto primer or similar, then undercoat in black from the airbrush if you couldn't find a black primer.

Einion

 

[lono]

Yeah, I figured that the standard acrylic wouldn't be ideal. Once I've got the black down on the models I'll be working zenithal highlights in various tones using the airbrush, so it'll get a fair few layers before a brush hits it. I think the auto primer is probably going to be a good plan unless there's a revolutionary new priming technique aound I've somehow missed.

 

[airhead]

A couple of cans of Duplicolor Auto Primer from the local WalMarx should get you going for less than $10.

Paint is not primer.

 

[lono]

A couple of cans of Duplicolor Auto Primer from the local WalMarx should get you going for less than $10.

Paint is not primer.

But would cost me a great many pounds in plane fares! Thankfully Ebay is a bit kinder on the wallet!

 

[Dragonsreach]

A couple of cans of Duplicolor Auto Primer from the local WalMarx should get you going for less than $10.

Try Halfords primer instead.

Airhead $10 (£6.20) lucky you, we'll probably be paying £15.
Just had to fork out £16 for a High Gloss Metallic and Metallic Sealer to do a fancy dress accessory. (Man with the Golden Gun Murder mystery night).

 

[Einion]

But would cost me a great many pounds in plane fares! Thankfully Ebay is a bit kinder on the wallet!

Where you based again?

Try Halfords primer instead.

Airhead $10 (£6.20) lucky you, we'll probably be paying £15.

Oh should be able to get primer for less than that. I've seen it here fairly regularly for around €6 so should generally be less in the UK. And online you can definitely find primers for less than four quid per can even buying singly (much cheaper by the case, or in packs of three or six).

Einion

 

[Rev]

I use halfords primer too it's great. I've tried the yellow, red and grey and they all do a better job than GW's.

Still not 'cheap' mind, but cheapER.

rev

 

[freakinacage]

I use halfords primer too it's great. I've tried the yellow, red and grey and they all do a better job than GW's.

Still not 'cheap' mind, but cheapER.

rev

i think it's great vfm. lovely smooth finish too. i use the grey

 

[lono]

I'm in the middle of Blighty - Nottingham to be precise.

I need black as the base colour though, so stuff like the Halfords ones would be no good (unless I then did a coat of black over the primer).

 

[freakinacage]

i think they do the primer in black too

 

[thegrayson]

Order up some Vallejo Vallejo Acrylic Polyurethane Primer, I find it works great in an airbrush and a couple of bottles should get you through your 200 models.

 

[Einion]

Order up some Vallejo Vallejo Acrylic Polyurethane Primer, I find it works great in an airbrush and a couple of bottles should get you through your 200 models.

That link is messed up but anyway, I think you missed that he's trying to reduce the cost of priming

Two bottles of that works out to £20.50 (before P&P) where a couple of cans of auto primer will set you back less than a tenner if you're lucky... and it's more resilient too.

Einion

 

[Drey Foos]

SnM stuff do smaller 17ml bottles of Vallejo Grey Primer, which surprisingly is primer, not paint. Dilute it down with a 30ml bottle of thinners and you'll cover at least 100 in next to no time for a little over £4 squids and leaves a lovely smoothe finish YMMV.
If you're looking for raw bang for buck, try here:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__auto+primer_W0QQ_dmdZ2?rvr_id=212661879890&crlp=2874219909_284591_284611&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=8030b50112a0a47a0852eca2fea0ece0&agid=1382016489&tm_kw=auto+primer&siteid=3&MT_ID=11&tt_encode=raw&keyword=auto+primer&geo_id=21&ff4=284591_284611