Primer and sealer question....

[johnbear44]

I'm kind of new to this, so bare with me........

I've got a group of plastic GIs and Paras on the way....my painting question is what kind of primer and sealer should i use? I know this is kind of a stupid question, but like i said kind of new to this.

Thanks!

[Stuart]

That's not a stupid quetsion at all Johnbear44, everyone has to start somewhere and if you don't ask you may never find out Primer, I think, is all down to personal taste, I use black as I like my figs to have a slightly grimier (is that a word?) look to them, some folk prefer white, it also can affect what you're painting, if you're doing a pale horse for example you may want to start with a white primer. Maybe best when your figs arrive to do one white one black, paint them up and see which result you prefer. As for sealing it the army painting dip is a good start as it shades and varnishes in one (plus speeds up the painting!) then spray with the matt spray to finish off. Or there's a whole market out there of varnishes and probably most folk on here use most of them and will be able to give you a wide and varied report on each. I personally prefer Daler Rowney as it gives a good matt finish, goes on easy and is hard wearing.

Hope this is some help

Stuart

[johnbear44]

Thanks for your help stuart! Have a great day!

[mrtn]

It depends on what fits you. Personally I use brush on primer and varnish, I don't trust our weather for spraying outside and don't have any good option to do it inside.
My primer is black gesso, and my varnish is Vallejo's matt varnish.

[Parus Ater]

For minimum paint coats for decent coverage the Army Painter Leather Brown spray primer is king. I've been through two full cans and it's wonderful. The extra few quid is seriously worth it if you add up the miniature to time spent difference.

[Klingsor]

For anything plastic I use Hycote plastic primer which is grey. This may be a bit paranoid but after having a white tac mask lift paint off down to bare plastic I do not take any chances. Resin or metal gets their normal primer which comes in grey, red or white.

Then a black undercoat, Hycote mat black or just black acrylic paint applied with a brush. I am not convinced about a black undercoat but I am not the one doing the painting.

I use Hycote sprays as they are cheaper than Halfords and for me easier to get as my local shop carries them. I a told they are the same stuff as Halfords anyway as Hycote make the Halfords sprays.

Varnish. The Army Painter one was pretty good and if appliqued warm behaved well and I think i would till use it if I were varnishing figures but now my brother, the painter, paranoid after a nasty experience with GW varnish, brushes on Vallejo acrylic mat varnish.

As the man said temperature and humidity are critical. I prewarm spray paint or varnish by leaving it in some warm water for a few minutes before use and this seems to work.

I like the army painter primers, I use the desert yellow a lot for terrain as once it gets a wash of Vallejo sepia wash it looks great with minimal effort, but have not really used them for figures or vehicles, the latter as they do not do a Russian green though they do a nice light green.

[grant]

All of the above is on my tool belt. It all depends on season, weather, feel, how much effort I feel like putting in, and what the end result is going to be.

[westwaller]

Don't forget to give your miniatures a little wash in warm water and liquid detergent before you apply any paint, to get rid of any mould release agent that may be still on them.

[johnbear44]

Thank you all for your help. Warmth will not be an issue as I live in South Ga in the States, actually where I live is the 2nd settlement General Oglethorpe established in Georgia. Its already 90 degrees here or roughly 32 celsius for most of you. If ya'll have any other tips please pass them along.........I'm sure there will be alot of trial and error, but you all have given me a great place to start! Thank! or Cheers if you prefer!