The solution here is to wash your metal and resin miniatures with soap and warm water. Also, as with aerosols, you need a good space to safely spray this an avoid the harmful vapors. You can easily lose details on small models with an automotive primer like this. For larger miniatures, you can use almost any primer, as you’ll see why below. Overall, take your time when you apply a brush-on primer. Versatile, cost-effective, and easy to use. Primers are used as a preparatory coat over unpainted metal, plastic, or resin and prevent the absorption of subsequent layers of modeling paint. In miniature and model painting, gesso is particularly useful for metal or resin because of its durability. Given their price and the reputation of the Badger company, I would recommend them as the best airbrush ready primer for miniatures. It’ll happen fast if you’re not careful. The Army Painter Primer sells for $16. Metal and resin miniatures may have a greasy. Black primer lets you just paint lighter colors. In this video we will discuss the ins and outs of painting plastic parts. Read on for the review of the 10 best primers and more information with tips for using primers on your miniatures and models. Rust-Oleum® Specialty Plastic Primer Spray prepares plastic for painting with any top coat. It is formulated for all types of miniatures, including those made of plastic and metal. Primers aren’t formulated like miniature paints, which are generally acrylic polymer-based mediums. 1/72 Planes; 1/72 Vehicles; 1/72 Helicopters; 1/72 Figures; 1/72 Buildings; 1/72 Boats & Submarines; 1/72 Accessories; 1/76 Kits & Accessories; 1/35 Plastic Kits. Sometimes it takes time and research to find the best one for your intended application. All my paints are enamels so that's what will be going over them. Be warned, however, that these cheaper primers do not coat as thinly as dedicated hobby primers for modeling. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. When you glaze a color over this, you can achieve a beautiful saturated and contrasty model fairly quickly. AK Interactive recommends that you use their thinner. Other brands make gesso that is almost paste-like. Also, it has a fast dry time and is very good value for your money. Gesso is the perfect alternative to normal primers designed for miniatures. As an airbrush-able primer it sprays really well in thin coats. It also sticks really well to any model surface, including plastic, metal, or resin. Aerosol or rattle can primers also pose an issue because of the odors and potentially harmful vapors. Sometimes a model might need 2-3 layers of a brush-on primer. It works like a charm on auto body and is really great at covering uneven and curvy areas. Because of it’s branding, this primer is usually found in most hobby or local game stores. But, if you prefer Tamiya makes other colored primers as well, including black and pure white. Not all primers are the same. Other colors are available. Is this the best primer you can use for miniatures? For brush-on primers, you just need to remember to be patient! This is great, and perhaps this is one of the most under-rated, largely ignored primers on the market. You can’t go wrong with either of these primers. That means it’s an aerosol based spray that should be used in well-ventilated area. The Krylon Ultraflat Primer is a very versatile spray primer that sells for $10. In my opinion, the black primer is the best in terms of quality of the primer surface. Airbrushing primer is the most cost-effective way to applying primer. Leave a comment below! In this way, using brush-on primers is kind of an art, too. Filling in the shadows before you add paint will help you finish those first few base coats quicker. MORE: GREAT AIRBRUSHES FOR PRIMING AND PAINTING MINIATURES. Get this primer and give it a try, even if you don’t airbrush it. I haven’t used any AK Interactive products (they can be pricey here), Pingback: Essential Tools and Supplies for Painting Miniatures and Models - Tangible Day. Spray farther away and in very light misting coats. After one week, the area sprayed with Krylon Fusion for Plastic is resistant to chipping, which is ideal for high-traffic items such as outdoor chairs or table legs. I happened on AK Interactive’s black and white sprays recently. Tel: 01422 405040. If it is too cold or hot, the aerosol formulation in spray cans won’t mix properly. At the end of the day, it’s personal preference. Testors enamel primer is a premium product for modeling, and is priced as such. Bubbles can form if you try to apply thick layers of brush-on primer. Aug 5, 2019 Jewelyn Butron . Rust-Oleum 249088 Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover, 12 Oz, Flat Gray Primer 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,156 Rust-Oleum 213517T Specialty Quart Oil Based Appliance Plastic Primer 4.1 out of 5 stars 119 Polymer-based primers are the best for plastic surfaces. Also this stuff doesn’t soften or distort the plastic. At first glance, it’s fairly expensive, but it is a good choice if you’re looking for spray-ready primer for plastic miniatures. For metal miniatures, you want a primer that hardens and for lack of better words, “sticks better” to the metal or resin surface. As a bonus, it is also formulated to work with leather. For example, Tamiya makes a rattle can primer for miniatures that is highly popular for professional and competitive miniature painters. When it comes to the best primer for plastic, we think the Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter really does a good job. But, if you’re willing to wait for an overseas delivery this may be a great primer for any model you’re preparing to paint. The best primer for painting miniatures depends on the surface material. This is what gives this primer its anti-rust capability. The Badger Airbrush Primer (Stynlrez) is about $8 per primer bottle or $16 for a set of 3 colors (black, gray, and white). It’s a small can, and priced at close to the same as the other premium modeling primers out there. To avoid problems with your aerosol spray primer, don’t prime models in ambient weather that feels too cold or hot for you to wear light clothing that you’d normally wear indoors. Applying gesso can also be difficult because it is prone to making bubbles in the surface. Vallejo makes this surface primer in many colors, but as with most primers, I prefer to default to gray. Cheaper primers, e.g., automotive or outdoor furniture primers, are formulated to cover surface fast. For display or highly detailed miniature painting, use white primer. Gesso is inexpensive, forms a protective surface for applying paint, and smooths out surface imperfections. Because of how thin I’m able to apply this primer, it helps retain details while also smoothing out small imperfections. As with other aerosol sprays, it requires a ventilated area for safe use. It’s a rattle can primer. Glue doesn’t adhere well to that residue of mold-release. Many miniature painters attest to the wonder that is the AK Interactive Primer. This means that these primers are created to spray-on in thick layers. As with any aerosol, there is also the need for good ventilation. Metal and resin models don’t have as much flexibility as hard plastic models. Make sure you shake the can vigorously to mix the primer with the aerosol contents for a proper fine spray. For example, when you have limited space for a spray booth, indoors in an enclosed space, or in a public convention where spraying might not be appropriate. Harmful vapors are not friendly to painting in a basement or enclosed area with poor ventilation. This is essentially the same as the Tamiya Surface Primer. The quality of the final undercoat with Tamiya surface primer is top-notch. Hence, you also should use a good varnish seal to protect your models when you finish painting (see more info about best uses for varnishes and my thoughts here). Your paint won’t chip with light coats of primer. It is a technical skill to properly apply brush-on primer (which is why I suggested the best primers for miniatures are spray-on). Gesso application requires some patience as it will take a little longer to dry than other primers. It’s fairly expensive for a primer, but may be valuable for the Contrast Paint Technique of “one thick coat”. This is especially important for gunpla models, where you need to preserve panel line and rivet details. It makes it easy for me to travel with my painting kit and always have primer with me. But….If you are speed painting, black is the best primer color! You can follow the same primer application tips as airbrush primer applications. I’ve tried each of these primers over the years. The best enamel based primers are those in rattle spray cans (aerosol based primers). Finding the best exterior primer, however, isn’t always an easy proposition. Most of the models you see on this site were first primed with Vallejo Surface Primer. You should apply a primer only after washing and drying your models. Using black primer lets you keep contrast easier on a model. https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/plastic-primer-spray, https://www.searchautoparts.com/abrn/technicians/paint-shop/painting-plastic-right-first-time. As if that’s not enough, it’s … For larger repairs, you’ll need a primer that’s catalyzed. In some cases, Gesso has rougher texture to it, or ‘tooth’, that is useful for some characterful types of miniature painting. Liquitex Gray Gesso is my preferred gesso medium for priming larger models and terrain pieces. And, for best results try to spray this rattle can primer in relatively low humidity at room temperature (25C or 70F). The Citadel Model Primer is a primer that is useful for plastic and metal miniatures. This primer is no exception. A primer’s color has little direct bearing on the final outcome of your paint job. It’s well regarded by the miniature and modeling community. In terms of durability, we can’t think of another primer that will last as long as the Rust-Oleum, given you applied it right.This stuff allows you to finish plastic with pretty much any color and to renew or change the color of plastic around your home. The best primer formulas do for your skin what great lingerie does for your figure – they make all the bits that go on top look and feel better. In zenithal highlighting methods, you either airbrush or use another white-color spray paint (this could be another primer or simply white paint) over the black primer-colored model. Menu. I’ve tried regular spray-can primers for painting outdoor furniture like Krylon and Rust-Oleum primers. Super cheap aerosol primer. As mentioned above, each has a purpose. In contrast to acrylic paint, primers do not absorb water after they dry. Maybe you do want to hide fine scratches, bubbles, or imperfections on your models. Gesso is especially useful for metal or resin miniatures. In general, it is best to use rattle can primers in lower humidity and normal room temperatures. Badger is a US based company with a great reputation for their line of airbrushes and accessories. Log In; Create an Account ; Contact Us; 0 items (£ 0.00) 0. The unique combination of technology increases the adhesion and durability of the topcoat. The best practice for airbrushing is to thin your paints or primers to the consistency of whole milk. Allow each primer layer to dry before applying another layer. This primer auto-levels as it dries evening out any small bumps in your model surface. This means you want the first layers of the primer coat to be super thin. For use on polypropylene, resin, PVC, fibreglass and vinyl plastics. It can be painted on any surface with a brush or with an airbrush. 1/72 Plastic Kits. A primer covers the skin to prevent the make-up you place on top from being absorbed into your skin. Having said that, you sould always use 2 coats of paint to get the best coverage and truist color. This should only take a few minutes, as this stuff dries fast! Users returned to this product (and brand) time and time … When in doubt, thin your primer (just like you would your paints). Best Exterior Primers – Top List. It effectively forms a hardened surface with the model you’re working on. Here are the 10 best primers for painting plastic and metal miniatures: An Alternative to Enamel-Based Spray Primers is the Traditional Gesso, Best Cheap Primers for Large Miniatures and 3D Printing, 10 Best Primers for Painting Plastic and Metal Miniatures, Bonus: AK Interactive Primer and Microfiller. In general, although hard to find in some countries, and usually with long delivery times, the AK Interactive Primer has some of the best features of my personal favorite Vallejo Surface Primer. It can be coated on high pH surfaces and will not only resist peeling and blistering but will also resist mildew growth. For environmental reasons, aerosols aren’t great either. The cause of paint chipping is primarily due to the quality of the primer and paint you’re using. Note that there are times when you want a brush-on primer (more about this below). Each layer slightly removes details from the miniatures. A word of caution about using cheap primers that are not designed for miniature and scale modeling work. As mentioned, AK Interactive primer is a little hard to find in the United States. This seems obvious because metal miniatures are a much harder surface. It’s also smoothing out the surface. Gesso provides the perfect "tooth" and adhesion to a wide variety of supports and surfaces. It doesn’t matter if you’re painting on plastic, metal, or resin miniatures, a primer coat provides a universal surface for you to work on. A respirator mask (organic vapor P95 rated like this) or spray booth could help when you’re spraying in more enclosed areas. The one that I use to thin water-based polyurethane surface primers is made by Vallejo. Stynylrez Primers, Tamiya, Vallejo, Revell, Ammo, AK interactive primers and model paints. All rights reserved. This Vallejo Surface Primer thins nicely with pure water or Vallejo’s airbrush thinner. Prime the part with two thin coats of primer, allowing each coat to dry. There is some limitations though to this primer (see below). Fortunately, I’ve found ten of the brands that I feel are the best and listed them below for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Because the can is under-pressure, you should be aware that storage in a safe place away from heat is important. Copyright © 2019 thereviewgurus.com. The less expensive alternative to Citadel primer. The warnings about this are all over the can. It comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, too. Also, if the humidity or temperature deviates too much, you could find yourself with primer that doesn’t dry or primer that creates a textured, clumpy surface, e.g., orange peel bumps. As an enamel-based primer, it forms a solid, smooth undercoat in preparation for modeling paint application. Scenario #2: Plastic Refinish. Amazon.co.uk Today's Deals Warehouse Deals Outlet Subscribe & Save Vouchers Amazon Family Amazon Prime Prime Video Prime Student Mobile Apps Amazon Pickup Locations Amazon Assistant 1-16 of 555 results for "plastic primer" It’ll work on plastic and metal equally well. For miniatures, automotive primer is perfect for smoothing out imperfections and filling tiny gaps in models or 3D prints. Your call. The Stynlylrez are a somewhat new brand compared to some of the other primers on the list and less well known. I use a cheap synthetic brush for priming and base coating models. We will go into detail below about water based primers and choose five that will fit your needs. White Interior/Exterior Multi-Surface Primer, Sealer, and Stain Blocker Model# 20000 $ 72 47 $ 72 47. Many primers for miniature and models also act to smooth out imperfections on the unpainted surface. But, everyone has their preferred workflow. If you are looking for the best primer for plastic, the Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter is a great option. Priming is necessary to improve the adherence of the paint and the results. Some heavier primers can easily cover these details. Gap filling properties. Expensive as a primer. This means you need to be careful when you want to preserve details on a miniature. It is also possible to use wet or dry sanding methods to further smooth and prepare a surface for paint. Work in layers for maximum effect without losing model details when you’re priming. Your Miniature Hobby May Be Killing You, How to Apply Warhammer Space Marine Decals (Tips). Details stay put and remain easy to resolve even after a few layers of this primer (shake the can vigorously for best results, and spray in a low humid environment). This is my favorite primer, hands down. It doesn’t take much primer to effectively cover your model. Fairly inexpensive for the amount and how much surface area can be coated. Adheres to hard-to-paint surfaces. It comes in many different colors. RELATED: BEST 10 AIRBRUSHES FOR PAINTING MINIATURES. So, if you use this in small miniatures (29-35mm scale) just be aware and spray from a farther distance. Ideal for priming plastic furniture, hard plastic cases, down pipes and toys; Dulux Duramax Plastic Primer is a fast-drying spray paint delivering a high-performance undercoat on most plastics. If you’re into makeup and cosmetics, you already know why you need a primer. This is the key primer for most miniature artists who take the hobby seriously. This makes this product suitable for interior and exterior … Paul. Good primer is there to help paint stick. You only need a thin layer of primer on miniatures to properly prepare a surface for paint. Ideal for priming plastic furniture, hard plastic cases, downpipes and toys. No kidding. XIM High-Build Water-Based Sealer-1 Gallon. My experience with this primer for metal miniatures is also good. It is best applied with a brush in layers. In most cases, the proper thinner is simply water (1:1-3 ratio for my needs). Nail the right foundation and primer combo, and you won’t need to use Instagram’s Juno filter to perk up your complexion ever again. This provides the thinnest, most even coats on your models. As a primer, it works well and provides a very smooth surface for applying overlying model paints. Most of those first undercoat colors won’t show up. The cap dispensing system clogs easily. Many miniature painters use gesso for priming miniatures and models. Works similarly to regular Citadel Primer, with added smoothness and brightness for Citadel Contrast Paint. In other words, do you like painting something to make it lighter; or, would you prefer to darken a model as you make progress? It sticks nicely to any metal or plastic surface. Because it is an indoor/outdoor primer, it is resilient to many insults from the environment. This is a great spray primer. But, also note that these are airbrush-ready primers formulated as an acrylic-polyurethane undercoat. Maybe. The Citadel Model Primer sells for about $21-23 per can. As a primer for miniatures and models, Krylon spray primer is also inexpensive! Many colors. Eric Mc. The following are my recommended top 10 best primers for painting plastic and metal miniatures. If you paint models or miniatures with oil paints, you’ll see Gesso as especially useful. The Krylon primer can therefore provide a solid undercoat foundation for any miniature painting project. You will get the best results when you are patient. RELATED: RECOMMENDED ACRYLIC PAINT SETS FOR PAINTING MINIATURES. XIM 11022 Primer Sealer Bonder – best bonding primer for Formica This one is quite a miracle primer when it comes to hard-to-paint surfaces. Good utility and versatile. Next, we have the Tamiya Fine Surface Primer and it just works very well on ultra fine surfaces, as the name implies. Liquitex provides this gesso in one of the thinner viscosity forms. The Testors Enamel Primer can sells for $9. In general, this is similar to the Citadel primer. Buy on Amazon. Tamiya fine surface primer provides a very thin mist that finely coats your models, preserving all the small details. It applies thinly when sprayed from a proper distance from the model. But, if you want the best primer for miniatures, you should strongly consider Tamiya’s Surface Primer. For painting miniatures, choose a primer that you can apply in thin coats. I’ve recommended the gray color primer as it is the most versatile of the primer colors. SHAKE YOUR PRIMER BOTTLES WITH A MINI SHAKER! Cheap spray primers are especially useful for MDF terrain, laser cut parts and terrain pieces, gaming boards, and 3D printed pieces, e.g., PLA or resin 3D printed pieces, which are larger than smaller scale models. For those who need a definitive answer: use black primer for speed painting. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. A spray primer is the best choice, since spraying is the easiest way to apply thin layers over a model. You can buy in bulk and save on costs as well. In general, I would highly recommend this for larger models and for MDF, laser-cut terrain pieces (which are porous in material nature). Interestingly, some spray primers from Citadel and Army Painter are colored with the most popular model paint colors. How much primer should I apply to a miniature? They are similar on almost every level that I can investigate through online research. As you see below, there are some limitations. The white color acts as an undercoat for applying the Contrast Paint over it; speeding up the process of painting with Games Workshop model paint colors. The advantage of an automotive primer is that it is strong. The best paint primer for your project depends on the surface, where it's located, and your preferred dry time. The best primers for plastic miniatures, such as those from Games Workshop Citadel miniature lines, may not be the best for metal surfaces. It also helps you see where light and shadows will naturally fall. A ready-mixed painting ground, Liquitex Gray Gesso can be used with any kind of paint. Some plastic surfaces will need a bit of elbow grease before and then a coat of primer before you can start splashing your color around. However, the black colored primer has the best reviews. For example, you can get “flesh’ colored primer if most of your model is flesh-toned. In general, almost all primers produced by dedicated modeling companies have primers designed specifically to adhere and “smooth out” as they dry on plastic (or metal) miniatures. Everything I said for Tamiya’s primer holds true for Testor’s version. And, I’m not sure why except that maybe these primers are not advertised as much as the others and are fairly new on the market. This is a very fast way to add contrast. The Liquitex Neutral Gray Gesso is a gesso compound that sells for $9. I should note that the can is small, which is useful for portability. Because of how thin they are, they could also be useful when applied as as a touch-up primer using a brush. Unfortunately at the time of writing, we found the product to be a bit pricey. Not only is it inexpensive, it is resilient to scratches and stretches out as it dries on models, providing a very smooth and pleasant surface to work on. Finally, do you need a primer? It has some serious fumes and odor, which is its one big downside. And we like that it comes in a very easy to very aerosol spray can.Our only issue with it is that it is such a thin primer that you may need to spray multiple times to get to your desired level of outcome. After these primers dry, an automotive primer can be sanded to further even out the surface in preparation for paint. The SEM Plastic Prep is the best primer for plastic if you want something that looks great and creates this smooth glossy finish.You can use this on plastic around the house or auto body or interiors with plastic. But all that being said, it’s standout feature is that it is also a bit of a natural grease and mold remover. A primer allows you to confidently apply an artistic medium, make-up or acrylic paint, and improve your ability to control how it looks. It is probably the best deal in terms of volume of primer. The best primers for plastic miniatures in the 28-35mm scale are generally spray-on type primers. If there’s a knock to this product, it’s the premium price. Because it’s a spray can, you can coat very large surfaces quickly and so this is great for larger models. My favorite overall primer for my modeling needs is Vallejo Surface Primer. The 14 Best Makeup Primers For Every Skin Type, According To Makeup Artists. Scale Models Kits. Use a gesso or enamel-based primer instead. To my knowledge, I don’t know if there is an airbrush ready enamel-based primer designed for miniatures. This means that metal, pewter, or even resin models have a lubricant or mold-release substance on them. This is my favorite primer for most miniature and modeling jobs. Perfect for large models and 3D prints. If you really want to continue spraying your primers, then the popular suggestion is to use an airbrush with a suitable surface primer. A single bottle has lasted me a few months, and I paint a lot! Although this Krylon Primer is durable, versatile for many surfaces, and inexpensive, it sprays on pretty thick. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Easy to find at local hobby shops or game stores. Allow it to dry. Tinting the primer helps to not have to have 4-5 coats of dark paint for sure, If you will be painting with a darker color especially, it is very difficult to get good coverage over the top of white primer, reds are the greatest challenge for coverage. It dries fast and auto-smooths on the surface of both plastic and pewter miniatures. Companies like Vallejo or Tamiya have been in the business of making primers specifically formulated for their model kit product lines. An acrylic layer of paint can absorb moisture, which can lead to subtle warping and expansion of the paint. Some primers work best on plastic, whereas other primers work best on metals. A ready-mixed painting ground, Liquitex Gesso can be used with any kind of paint. I write more about how primers work throughout this article. Their line of AIRBRUSHES and accessories paint chipping is primarily due to plastic... Industrial strength top coat cold or hot, the Dupli-Color adhesion Promoter to same., blocking out ambient moisture model kit product lines the above affiliated sites and curvy areas good!! The review of the day, it is too cold or hot, the aerosol formulation in spray cans aerosol. Less cost and cure before applying the next on Instagram, Twitter, and inexpensive, forms a surface. Both interior and exterior airbrush ready enamel-based primer it is a huge benefit because we don ’ t a. By professional and competitive miniature painters, this mold-release lubricant repels primer and it just works good. Associate I earn from qualifying purchases to many insults from the model help get those color saturations with... Hobby or local game stores popular suggestion is to use gesso for priming and base models! And inexpensive, forms a protective surface for applying overlying model paints should I apply to a variety of and. 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Can more than 6-12 inches away from the environment interfere with medications most or! Between Army Painter is a good job increasing its resistance to best primer for plastic wear tear... Surface preparation as well //azazelx.com/2019/05/12/review-ak-interactive-hobby-sprays-black-primer-white-primer-protective-varnish/, Ah, I ’ ve used this primer! Including automobiles both interior and exterior best reviews a lesser extent resin models are made plastic. Proper fine spray costly and come with a brush or with an airbrush a single model at a to. Models don ’ t find a weakness in the shadows before you add paint will help you speed your! Top of those first undercoat colors won ’ t know if there ’ s primer holds true Testor! Feel are the best primer for miniatures and models, Krylon spray primer and varnish are not friendly painting... Wonder which one of the model which is its one big downside primers in humidity.