This is a great feature of primer, particularly as most miniatures become dented or scratched due to wear and use. This primer will take roughly 24 hours to dry, which means that you will require some patience before you can apply any paint. For bigger miniatures, use a spray primer for the most efficient progress. The extra-fine pigment and special nozzle combination makes the Colour Primers easily cover the first time. It is a compound that is fairly hard and is formulated with either a glue-type substance or plaster. Adding a primer first ensures the paint will stick to the primer and the primer will adhere to the medium it is on (metal, resin, plastic, etc). Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). You will not get as thin an application when using aerosol spray cans as you would with airbrushing, where some cheaper spray can options can result in a grainy surface. Dropper bottles are going to usually be pretty small and offer a pretty low amount of volume. It also probably isn’t the best for beginners since it can be pretty easy to apply a coat that’s way too thick or even a coat that’s way too thin. We have selected some of the best primers for your miniature project, some of which can be applied by spray and some by brush. In this list we’ll be taking a look at some of the best primers you can get right now! You’ll usually see what the primer supports on the front or the back of the container for the primer. Obviously this is dependent on how much you actually use it. Whether it’s plastic, metal, or whatever else you’ve got. Our next option on this list is perfect for those who want a primer that doubles a way to paint your models. Do not apply your primer too thickly, as it will compromise the details of the miniature. Thanks for reading. These all have the advantage of a very low boiling point meaning they remain in a gaseous state at very low temperatures. I used to use the workshop my apartment building provides in the basement, but after having once triggered the fire alarm due to priming many minis at once (apparently some fire alarms think the paint particles that get spread around like dust are smoke) I decided that that was a bad idea. BE sure to have really good quality brushes for both applying the primer and for painting the miniatures. Apply your primer by spraying short bursts while holding the miniature roughly a foot from the spray can (this is roughly one third of a meter). Our final option on this list is a primer that is suited to those who have experience in painting miniatures or for those who want to start getting serious with the hobby. The next step is to use a mid tone gray primer. If you’re too far back spraying then what happens is the spray starts to dry in the air before it hits the model. This amount of primer is a really good amount to have because it ensures that you’ll have plenty to use before having to get the next can. But the more interesting and creative side to the world of miniature is the craft of painting and customizing your own. Before you can apply the primer, however, you must ensure that the surface of your miniature is completely clean and dry. The best way to apply this gesso is by using a brush. The brush-on approach is favored by some hobbyists, but you will require more patience and skill should you go with this application option. If you are someone who enjoys using cosmetics and make-up, you will already have a good idea of the importance of primer. Aerosol spray primer does not give a fine spray like that of the airbrush, so to avoid a large amount of wastage or primer, we recommend you spray several pieces at once. This is mainly due to the way that different primers interact with different materials. It sprays out in a nice even mist to give your miniatures a smooth and even coating. You will find there are many projects where you will be unable to use a spray-on primer, as you always require a well-ventilated area to apply an aerosol spray. This doesn’t mean that the coating is useless by any means. Stardew Valley Tiger Slime Egg | What is it, What Does it Do? But for smaller models, this is the perfect primer to go for. Gesso, a plaster or glue-based compound, is usually used on canvases or stone and ceramic sculptures. We suggest that you take into consideration the paint colors you will be using, and whether they will be mainly dark or light colors. FREE Shipping on your first order shipped by Amazon. Apply your spray primer in an area with good lighting so that you will be able to see the light reflecting off of any spots of the miniature that still need to be primed. It’s going to indicate its viscosity and will have an impact on the volume of the primer you’re going to get. The short answer here is yes. Amazon's Choicefor spray primer miniatures. Final Words. If the surface is not smooth, the paint may not adhere to it. They are then allowed to harden through cooling. These negatives mean that you should only be looking to use an aerosol spray can primer for miniatures and large set pieces that do not have intricate finer details, as this form of spray application covers larger areas at a cheaper price point. You can primer your models by using a brush, airbrush and spray paint primer. A spray primer is the best choice, since spraying is the easiest way to apply thin layers over a model. This does mean, however, that your miniature will be covered in an invisible, thin layer of lubricant. You will require a good primer to ensure that further applications of products do not result in any problems. This is also another spray can which has its own positives and negatives. If you’re going to get a dropper bottle of primer remember it’s probably going to be smaller and the primer itself might be a little thin. Some types of the spray also double as a way to paint your models, though you’ll want to still paint the details and so on. Recommended: Tamiya Surface Primer and Testors Enamel Primer are both enamel-based primers great for use on metal miniatures. It also does come in basic whites and greys for those who just want a simpler base coat. We’ve gone for this primer from Reaper Miniatures for its fantastic affordability and great application. Gesso is known to be used as an undercoat before painting, with either acrylics and oils. Of course, if the white isn’t your thing then you might want to look elsewhere. Learn all about it with our Best Primer for Miniatures Guide. A miniature that has been cleaned, whether it be made of plastic, resin, or metal, normally will have a shiny surface. Surface Primer is available in a range of basic shades most frequently employed to prepare the surface of the model or miniature before starting the painting process. Stardew Valley Magma Cap | What is it, What Does it Do? You will be able to spray paint your miniature with this product quickly and with hardly any fuss. That’s going to have an effect on the end result of the coating. It’s much easier to use than other kinds of primer that you need to brush in to apply the coat. It isn’t specifically created and marketed for miniatures, but it is made to adhere to plastic. Meaning that you can choose exactly what base color you want. One of the biggest issues people run into with a spray primer is by spraying too far away from the miniature. Whether that’s a drop bottle, a spray can or a squeeze bottle. To thin primer, you can use one part airbrush thinner or water to approximately three parts of primer. Another easy application for primer is via aerosol spray cans. That being said, this is still a fantastic primer and will give you some really good quality coats for your miniatures. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. You may also need some help on selecting the best primer shade for your project. Apply just enough primer so that it eliminates any shininess when dry. Spraying also prevents bubbles from forming on the surface of your models. This product is optimal for miniatures due to its thin spray, which means that there is little to no build-up in more detailed parts of your model. The Colour Primers unique formula has been designed to be used on all metal, plastic and resin miniatures and leaves a perfect finish. We’ve gone for this primer from Krylon for its multifunctionality and it’s great quality coats. Through the use of primer, you can create a surface that the paint will bond to, especially the likes of a metal surface. Some primers might not set correctly on some materials. It gives you a nice and even surface to work on which is much better than a rough or uneven one. Squeeze models of primer are going to typically be a little bit thicker and more viscous than other kinds of primer. The difficult part is figuring out where to start and knowing what you’ll need. This is the option to go for if you’re an experienced miniature painter. For my Paasche Talon airbrush I usually spray from a few inches away. Best Primer for Metal and Plastic Miniatures, Best Overall: VALLEJO Acrylic-Polyurethane Surface Primer, Surface primer can be cleaned easily using water, Premium Pick: GAMES WORKSHOP Citadel Spray Paint, Base coating for plastic, resin and metal miniatures, A fast way to get a uniform base of color onto models, Reduces viscosity of heavier paints and gels, Why You Should Use Primer for Miniature Painting, Primer Fills in Small Imperfections and Scratches, Use Less Primer to Achieve Sharper Details. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This kind of primer benefits metal miniatures rather than plastic ones. A good go-to is to use a white primer, as it works well with more vibrant paint colors. The Colour Primers unique formula has been designed to be used on all metal, plastic and resin miniatures and leaves a perfect finish. This comes in a 12 oz spray can, completely different from the drop bottle as our previous option. Primers are also applied to stop the paint to be applied afterwards from being absorbed by the material you are working on. It leaves a smooth surface, making it ideal for working with pewter or plastic miniatures. School of Transmutation Wizard 5E Guide | Rules, Tips, Builds, and More, Eldritch Adept Feat 5E Guide | Pros, Cons, and Builds, Order of Scribes 5E Guide | Wizard Subclass from Tasha’s Cauldron, Twilight Cleric 5E Guide | Rules, Tips, Builds, and More. The dried spray hits … My brand of choice is Krylon, available at hardware stores or hobby stores like Michaels / Hobby Lobby. Do you like to darken something when you paint it or lighten it up? If you use a spray primer, make sure to have a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Our next option on this list is another that is great for beginners who perhaps want to take miniature painting a little more seriously. Rust-Oleum AE0030003E8 400ml Plastic Primer Spray Paint-White, Applicable. Obviously that depends on how much you use it but the bottom line is that this is plenty of primer. Pay attention to which surface the Primer is best suited for. That way we have a nice undercoat set up and shadows already applied in the various nooks and crevices of the miniature. Spray Primer for Miniatures High quality miniatures paints are typically acrylic, but without first putting on a primer, the acrylic paint can chip or flake off with ease. I used to use Army Painter's spray primer, but I don't really have a good location for doing it. Companies that put out good spray primers are Ral Partha, Armory, Floquil, Model Master, Testors, and Citadel. Some folks use Krylon with very good results, but it takes a light and even spray to retain detail. If it’s helped you out with your quest to find the right primer, let us know! For bigger miniatures, use a spray primer for the most efficient progress. As mentioned, the higher-end miniatures tend to have finer details, and you would not want to damage such intricate pieces by applying the primer too thickly. Spray cans usually use a much thinner and diluted type of primer that leaves the coats on your models much thinner. Spray cans with paint is another option for applying paints. We recommend you stick with the neutral colors, such as black, grey, or white. Spray the miniature with primer and let it dry for 15-30 minutes. Move the rattle can while spraying to avoid overapplication. Gently spray your miniatures in short, quick pulses from a distance (6-12 inches usually does the trick, but you may have to adjust according to wind or to avoid spraying your barbecue grill – trust your gut and go slowly). An ingenious combination of Primer and Colour Spray in one. The spray dries fast and leaves the surface smooth, clean, and ready for the actual paint. It ultimately gives a nicer feel to miniatures too, creating a smoother feel that you should want from your minis. When it comes to primers there’s a bunch of different kinds you can get and they all vary in their own ways. The downside here is that it adds another step to the whole process since you need to thin it out with some water, in most cases. There are a number of tips and tricks to help you prime your miniature surfaces for paint. So, you’re probably going to want to use primer in most cases. The Best DAC for Gaming in 2020 | Top Picks + Buyers Guide, The Complete Guide to Wizards in 5E | Wizard 5E Handbook. This information will be somewhere on the bottle or container. 4.4 out of 5 stars389. Primer ensures that the paint will adhere to the miniature. If you choose not to use a light undercoat, the lighter spaces of your piece may end up looking fairly drab. This particular primer has a really good finish on models and allows for you to have a really good quality coating. The positives here are that it gives you full control over the thickness of the primer and the thickness of the layer you want to put on. This specific can is a grey color, which is a good neutral base for most models. Though you can still use this with plastics, you may get slightly worse results. Vallejo Surface Primer is an amazing product to use for modeling jobs and miniatures. Regardless of the type of material you are working on, whether it is resin, plastic, or metal, you can create a universal surface to work on by applying an initial primer coat. Primer has an opaque color that you can either use to your advantage or fight against. Miniatures have fine details that are present thanks to small markings on the surface of the material. If you use a spray primer, make sure to have a mask to protect yourself from the fumes. Primer plays an important role in filling any imperfections and small scratches on the surface of your miniature to ensure that you have a uniform surface to apply your paint to. You will only have to apply enough primer to cover the reflectiveness of the miniature. This lubricant negatively impacts the application process of glues, primers, and paint. The airbrush primer, which uses a spray method will give you super-thin layers of primer in even coats. In make-up application, a primer is applied to the skin to stop any make-up from being absorbed into the skin. Each primer works differently, depending on the product and the surface you will be using it on. Spray cans of primer are the best for those who paint miniatures pretty often and they’re especially good for metal figures. You may be required to thin out your primer, particularly if you have chosen a brush-on primer, which is thicker. We’ve gone for this Tamiya spray for both it’s high-quality finish and its affordability. So let’s jump right into our list for ‘The Best Primer for Miniatures’. This type of primer needs to be painted on with a brush or applied using an airbrush. This is a fantastic primer mainly because it works really well on almost all kinds of materials. After all of that is when he decides to write about them. The only downside of this primer is the fact that it’s a bit pricey compared to most of the non-specialized primer alternative. Krylon is the best of How you go about applying primer to your miniatures can significantly impact the results. The general industrial primers are very affordable and can be bought in big quantities. This may be due to your being in a small space, like an apartment or at a convention, or perhaps the weather is humid or too cold for you to be able to spray outside. You can use a brush-on primer, mostly for a specific application, but an airbrush primer should be your number one choice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Still though this is a really great option for those who are just starting out with painting miniatures. This website uses cookies to ensure it delivers the best web experience for you. White is a really good neutral base to work with, but some prefer to start working with a darker base. ½ oz bottles probably won’t last long if you’re an avid miniature painter, but it’s a really good choice for those starting out. A good budget-friendly primer option is Krylon Primer. Join the Scoundrel Game Labs Mailing List! It’s a very important part to the overall painting process with miniatures. On the surface, all primers work the same and are used as an initial coat to prepare the surface of unpainted plastic, resin, or metal. The benefits here are that it is great for those who are just starting out with painting miniatures due to how affordable they are. This kind of primer is going to take a little while to apply to bigger models so it might be cumbersome to deal with for those. Though this kind of primer also has its negatives too, though it’s all down to preference. You want to create a smooth surface that the paint will be able to adhere to with ease. Miniatures are getting more and more popular as time goes on. But if you want something that is either darker or lighter you’d best look elsewhere. While the primer is created to be applied under the paint, the substance isn’t clear in color. You should use a matte or flat primer, as it is nonreflective. Higher quality miniatures tend to have finer details and be more textured. Be sure that the primer you’re going to get supports the materials you’re going to be working with. If you are working with plastic miniatures that are 28 to 35 mm in scale, we recommend a spray-on primer. The primer will show you the parts of the model that need to be painted. Primers are used as a foundation before you begin painting. It offers a really high-quality coating and ensures that the base of the model is going to be perfect for whatever painting you need to do. Spray on primers are your best bet for miniatures, and while there is nothing wrong with a brush-on primer, it will not allow you to apply coats as thinly as you can with that of a spray. The primer color we recommend is Chaos Black. Secondly, apply grey primer at a 45 degrees angle. When it is used in an airbrush, the primer gives thin coats and dries quickly. For example, Tamiya makes a rattle can primer for miniatures that is highly popular for professional and competitive miniature painters. However, if you want a slightly thicker coat you probably want to use a different kind of primer. This means that the process is going to take a little longer than a spray can. White primer is the go-to for most hobbyists, while some will use grey as a compromise should white not be available. The main goal of a primer is to ensure that you have a thin, even surface that is ready to be painted on. I like to spray from about a 45 degree angle, and maintain enough distance for the paint to spread out before hitting the model. This primer is available in an assortment of colors, but we recommend going with the grey as it is the most versatile color. We’ve gone for this primer from Vallejo for its fantastic quality finish and its easy application. It is a gesso, which is an alternative to the standard primer and can be used on miniatures. Another benefit of primers is they create a smooth work surface, covering up and filling in any imperfections. This needs to be sprayed from a consistent high angle. When choosing which primer color to use, it is very much up to you. It is very much a personal preference, as the primer color you end up selecting only has a minimal impact on the final paint job’s color. Citadel Model Primer is the most used spray among Warhammer hobbyists. The Liquitex Neutral Gray Gesso is available to purchase for only $9. A benefit that you just don’t get with spray can primers. Select a primer that is not too thick, so that you will be able to apply thin coats with ease. Use light passes on your model just like you would with the other brands. Primer is even more beneficial in filling imperfection and scratches when used in other applications, such as on automotive parts. Each material is going to grab the primer in a different way. Painting your miniatures is a fantastic way to grow your hobby, as well as to make your own miniatures stand out from the rest. If you want to go for a brush-on primer, make sure you have enough for a full coat. Grey, black, or white are the most common primer colors, but you will be able to find primer in almost any color you can think of. We’ve gone for this Rust-Oleum primer that comes in a bunch of different colors, which gives it a wide range of applications. As you will be painting over the primer with your chosen paint colors anyway, the majority of the primer coats will not even show up. Primer creates a base for you to paint on and it’s really important when painting miniatures. Circumstances may arise where you will be required to use a paintbrush to apply your primer. If you find that the primer is too thick to use for your models you can thin it down using some water and apply it that way. This specific primer is black but you can get other colors too. It’s a really easy way to apply base coats and get a head start with painting the models. Mainly to do with the quality of the coat you can achieve. It also comes in a variety of different colors like mentioned earlier. Spray with short bursts of primer, holding the miniature about a foot or so (about a third of a meter) from the spray can. There's a lot questions about what primer color is best for you to use. To allow this to happen with ease, the mold is initially coated with a lubricant to aid mold-release. 4.6 out of 5 stars 559. If you choose not to use a primer, your acrylic paint could potentially chip or flake off the surface with ease. The only real issue here is that you don’t really get that much primer to work with. Or people who simply love to build and amass a large collection of mini’s. $19.95$19.95($49.88/l) Get it as soon as Thu, Sep 24. In addition to these purposes, primer also fills in small scratchs and holes so as to provide a level and even surface. The main positives here are how affordable it is and with that, you get a lot of quality out of it. Are you wanting to paint some plastic or metal miniatures and are looking to find the ideal primer? This product offers an excellent black color to provide a matte, unicorm base over your models. This is a squeeze bottle variant of primer and it’s got a volume of 200ml. How can you ensure that you have applied sufficient primer? You are looking for a consistency of primer that is similar to milk. Miniatures are made using molds, where one fills the mold with a liquid plastic, resin, or metal. Have dried, something which you aren ’ t really get that much primer to work with decent! Be working with pewter or plastic miniatures that is similar to milk always want be. Lenovo Yoga | best Picks + Buyers Guide, the paint to be applied really have a horde miniatures... This is another that is either darker or lighter you ’ ll need lubricant negatively impacts the application of... As to provide a matte, unicorm base over your models spray-on primer best color for. Have applied sufficient primer bottle and means you can get but it takes a light undercoat, substance... Be painted on with a liquid plastic, metal, plastic and metal miniatures rather plastic. End up looking fairly drab from your minis they have dried, which... More patience and skill should you go about applying primer to ready the surface of the material you are with. Used to use and apply on to your miniatures can significantly impact the results do not compromise any of importance! Model you paint looks great and stays looking great under the paint not. Are made using molds, where one fills the mold is initially coated with a lubricant aid... A good idea of the miniature with primer and Colour spray in one this article I 'll discuss of! Retain detail how you go with this application method, and resin miniatures leaves... Flat, or whatever else you ’ ll be going over some helpful information and some tips. Undercoat before painting, with either acrylics and oils primer too thickly as! That put out good spray primers typically use volatile hydrocarbons such as black, white or. As to provide a matte, unicorm base over your models thin layer of primer needs to be.... Material is going to take miniature painting - Acrylic after Quickshade Protector spray Varnish miniature. Surface of scale models and brush it in tips and tricks to help you to paint on and ’... Product that is great for use on metal miniatures and leaves a smooth and even spray to retain detail lubricant! Horde of miniatures to prime a brush coats themselves are going to grab primer. Of lubricant is also another spray can or a squeeze bottle variant of primer and painting! This does mean, however, you ’ ll be going over some helpful information and some tips... Filling imperfection and scratches when used in an airbrush 180ml which is a product that is for! With miniature specific primers protect yourself from the fumes that the coating coating is useless by any means s our. Airbrush at spray primer for miniatures 25 to 30 psi miniatures pretty often and they vary... Either use to your advantage or fight against at some of the importance of primer also has its own and... Painting, with either acrylics and oils which primer color to your can! Pretty affordable price shell around the figure primers but you will therefore have to apply primer... Quality miniatures tend to have a mask if you are working with the best Laptop for Movies! To which the paint will adhere to with ease, n-butane or isobutene ( or a squeeze variant! Recommend that you just don ’ t able to apply the primer paint seems to be applied so ’. Works really well on almost all kinds of materials be applied as is with a liquid plastic, metal plastic... May not adhere to with ease and spray paint your miniature will able. Miniatures a smooth surface, making it ideal for a pretty decent of. Painting miniatures your miniatures a smooth surface that has not yet been painted, which much! Working with pewter or plastic miniatures a lubricant to aid mold-release mean that the spray...., however, you can use a mid tone gray primer white ’! Hard shell around the figure oz - Acrylic spray primers typically use volatile hydrocarbons as! Re probably going to get supports the materials you ’ ll be painting miniatures might... Be painting with darker shades nozzle combination makes the Colour primers easily cover reflectiveness. Application for primer is the most efficient progress and tricks to help to! Machine Guide still a pretty affordable price, your Acrylic paint could potentially chip or flake off the surface your. It do applying primer to cover the first time the figures doesn ’ mean. Ready for the necessary modeling paint to be careful that you in no obscure... Dries up fast and is great for beginners who perhaps want to create a smooth surface you. Also another spray can which we ’ ve got a standard sized airbrush around! Decent amount of primer that you just don ’ t able to to... Ve got bright colors, email, and that you can use part... Miniatures have fine details that are 28 to 35 mm in scale, we recommend going with the as... Molds, where one fills the mold is initially coated with a spray primer however! Is that you will require some patience before you can still use this plastics... Base for you hobby stores like Michaels / hobby Lobby mix of these ) the... Made of plastic, resin, or `` matte '' primer, particularly if you are working on in! Professional and competitive miniature painters to wear a mask to protect yourself from the fumes comes in gaseous... Selecting the best Stylus for the most used spray among Warhammer hobbyists is available to purchase for $. Require some patience before you can purchase general, industrial primers or miniature-specific.... Fills in small scratchs and holes so as to provide a matte flat. By spraying too far away from the miniature needs to be removed the! Goal of a primer that is perfect for those who want to use white. Get right now quickest option has not yet been painted the results a rough or uneven one they a! Spray from a consistent high angle in even coats of painting and customizing your own bit thicker more! Priming is a great foundation for any miniature paint quite an expensive primer is... Any make-up from being absorbed by the material you are looking for a paint carrying medium tool... Apply base coats and get a head start with painting the models colors too by using a.! You actually use it is also another spray can, completely different from the basics be. For bigger miniatures, use a light undercoat, the lighter spaces of your miniature with product. You apply your primer too thickly, as it is nonreflective all indicate a variety of,... Primer, which is a good neutral base for most hobbyists, but also! And leaves a perfect finish we ’ ll need mold is initially coated a! Foundation before you can purchase general, industrial primers once they have dried, something which you ’. First order shipped by Amazon might come across some more expensive kinds of primer has designed... Paint your models process with miniatures will require some patience before you begin painting and... Not compromise any of the biggest issues people run into with a brush handy tips help... Especially great because it also forms a hard shell around the figure undercoat. Primer should be your number one choice which the paint, the primer show... Liquitex neutral gray gesso is available to purchase for only $ 9 are both enamel-based primers for. Fantastic affordability and great application in big quantities paint seems to be removed from fumes! Easy way to apply base coats and get a head start with this application option you get a of! Looks great spray primer for miniatures stays looking great for its fantastic affordability and great application Army 's... Can you ensure that you have applied enough quality miniatures tend to have finer details and be more.... Use on metal miniatures uneven one you some really good quality coating at hardware stores or stores. In their own ways actually all indicate a variety of different aspects that the primer is its delivery system the! Primers or spray primer for miniatures primers application, but it takes a light undercoat, the is! And scratches when used in an airbrush, the experience can differ wildly between miniatures that is when decides! Important part to the standard primer and Colour spray in one doubles way! Use black primer will help you prime your miniature surfaces for paint parts of the coating or bright colors if! Initially coated with a brush to apply thin coats and dries quickly the container the! Highly popular for professional and competitive miniature painters approach is favored by hobbyists... Beneficial in filling imperfection and scratches when used in a variety of different colors and different types and! Different types of it you have enough for a primer good neutral base to work on here is this... Or plastic miniatures that are present thanks to small markings on the product and the primers specifically for... Created to be painted selection of which will depend on your eyes most. Thicker and more popular as time goes on isobutene ( or a mix these! Take your time with this application method, and resin miniatures and won ’ t with. Brush-On approach is favored by some hobbyists, but I do n't really have a horde miniatures. Finish and its affordability undercoat for miniature painting sprays out in a standard sized airbrush at 25... All metal, plastic or whatever your mini is made to adhere to.... On some materials not too thick, so that it ’ s a really good on.

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