[DragonEyez]

hey, im fairly new to the painting process for 40K

i was just wondering if Games Workshop spray on primers and model paints were really the only thing that should be used or if there's a cheaper and/or better solution.

thanks

 

[cccp]

the workshop primers are pretty good. i definately havnt heard of anything better/

i use vallejo model paints. they match up to GW colours exactly are cheaper and you get more paint in the pot.

 

[The Wraithlord]

I use GW primer as well. Haven't found anything better yet.

 

[Viscount Vash]

I have not used it but there is this stuff called Gesso that some people swear by it.HERE is an article on how to use it by WeeToySoldiers,but I have no idea how much it costs or if its available in the UK.

I have tried other cheaper spray undercoats but always end up going back to GW myself .

 

[blkdymnd]

I brush primer everything and as Vash stated, I am one of the brainwashed individuals who am now hooked on Gesso. It's easy, fast, and nearly foolproof. I just got some firewarriors on Bartertown and they were in bad shape paintwise. I tried stripping them as best as I could but was still unsure how they'd turn out after priming, I used the Gesso and reprimed them hoping for the best and now you can almost not tell they've ever been painted before. All the detail is there and they're ready for the brush once again.

 

[Anphicar]

Oh! So you tried the Gesso, blkdymnd?

I really like that stuff from Wee's article, but still hesitant to try it.

You reccomend it?

 

[blkdymnd]

absolutely, I won't go back to anything else. I have found it in white, black, grey, and clear. I use black, but i want to get some clear and play around with it for any possible neat effects. But yeah, it's very very good as wee said it would be

I do dilute it about 3:1 with water/thinner just to drop its thickness slightly.

 

[purerockfury]

i've been using armoury basecoats for a few years. i actually like it better than the gw. especially the white. since no matter what can of white primer i got from gw i always got a snow like effect from every can. but the black gw is comparable to the armoury. but the armoury i have found were cheaper by a couple of bucks.

and seeing that gesso stuff i think i'm going to give that a try. i have a crafts store that carries liquitex stuff i have to see if they have it.

 

[The Wraithlord]

My biggest question about the Gesso is if it holds paint on metal models any better than the GW primer. That is my only real complaint about the GW stuff.

 

[blkdymnd]

so far, i've had 0% problem with anything involved in Gesso. It, for me at least has been the perfect primer in everyway. Metal models have been just as good so far as the plastics I've been priming with it.

 

[Nivlac]

HMMM I don't know about you guys but I like going to my local department store and buying a 99 cent can of flat black spray paint. I have never had any problems and once you get use to it goes on amazingly even.

 

[Severian]

I've been using Tamiya surface primer (spray on) works a charm. A LOT cheaper here in South Africa than the GW stuff (if you cab find it). Most of the stuff in SA gets flown in but you can't fly in pressurized cans (not safe. Plane go melta. Apparently) they have to come by boat = expensive (espesially when you bring the rand / pound conversion into it) :shock:

Tamiya is reasonably priced and works really well.

 

[cccp]

iv used something similar to that before. it worked okay, but GW primer is my personal preference.

though dont ever brush undercoat a model. ever.

 

[royemunson]

I always use Halfords primer they do black, white and grey, sprays so much better than the GW stuff.

 

[jaysen]

I'm using some Armoury Primer now and am very dissappointed. I've got two cans and they both produce a dusting, coarse, and gritty surface. I think I've pretty much ruined the models that I spent so much effort and money on. I'm hoping I can strip this horrible primer off and go with the tried and true Krylon Flat Black indoor/outdoor enamel.

I've tried different temperatures, shaking the can for 1 full minute and still get the same effect.

 

[Kitsunex]

you too Jaysen? i thought i was botching my priming job because i was rusty. i've been getting horrid results with it as well and i got that dusting you were talking about on my stormboyz i primed.

 

[jaysen]

Yeah, the vendors say I need to shake the can more. I shook it vigorously for 1 minute, and frankly, that's longer than I think I should for a $10 can of paint. I still got the same results. I think it's something to do with "primer" vs regular flat paint. I don't remember ever having this problem with Citadel black or Krylon flat black.

 

[bitsandkits]

Despite what people think GW primer is top notch, i have used alot of different primers over the years, when i was a youth i was on a never ending quest to find cheap but reliable primers and i tried alot, but though it was expensive GW's always worked the best and gave an amazing finish and a flawless surface to paint onto, and im a picky eldar painter from the 90's so only bright cartoon like finishes were acceptable,none of the realism and weathering we enjoy now.
like others have said, i have tried alot of primers and i have yet to say i have anything that is better than GW primer, yes im a huge GW fanboi but when it comes to primer i would sell my grandmother for a product that beats GW primer.

 

[elmir]

Vallejo airbrush primer is pretty good... But that's not really as readily available to most.