For metal miniatures, you want a primer that hardens and for lack of better words, “sticks better” to the metal or resin surface. The advanced acrylic based formulation of Halfords colour match spray paint is compatible with virtually all types of automotive paint finishes including cellulose. Not all primers are the same. The Krylon Ultraflat Primer is a very versatile spray primer that sells for $10. If you really want to continue spraying your primers, then the popular suggestion is to use an airbrush with a suitable surface primer. White colored Citadel Primer can be problematic because I’ve found it often leads to a bumpy, powdery surface. For miniatures, automotive primer is perfect for smoothing out imperfections and filling tiny gaps in models or 3D prints. As with any primer with filling properties, be careful you don’t over-coat your model. The solution here is to wash your metal and resin miniatures with soap and warm water. All the pros of regular Citadel Primer plus the added bonus of combining with Citadel Contrast Paint application. It’s well regarded by the miniature and modeling community. Maybe you do want to hide fine scratches, bubbles, or imperfections on your models. Using black primer lets you keep contrast easier on a model. I would recommend neutral gray as a color for most primers when I’m not sure what colors I’d like to paint my miniatures with. 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. Although I mentioned this is attribute of cheaper primers is advantageous for 3D prints (which have fine build layer lines you want to hide), or large terrain pieces; for miniatures that have small details, including high resolution resin 3D prints, I would suggest you avoid non-hobby grade primers for miniature painting. A spray primer is the best choice, since spraying is the easiest way to apply thin layers over a model. Apply an adhesion promoter to the plastic part so that the primer and paint will stick to it. Easy to find at local hobby shops or game stores. Glue doesn’t adhere well to that residue of mold-release. Bubbles can form if you try to apply thick layers of brush-on primer. The best practice for painting a miniature requires that you “sandwich” your acrylic paint between a primer and varnish. In this way, using brush-on primers is kind of an art, too. Gesso is a durable compound that is easily applied with a brush and seals all types of surfaces in preparation for paint, e.g., wood, MDF, plastic, metal. It’s a rattle can primer. It is pretty durable and has excellent adhesion as well.Finally, we must warn you that you should probably wear a mask when applying this stuff. In some cases, I’ve used this as a brush-on primer for 3D printed pieces. XIM High-Build Water-Based Sealer-1 Gallon. Interestingly, some spray primers from Citadel and Army Painter are colored with the most popular model paint colors. As mentioned, AK Interactive primer is a little hard to find in the United States. All prices on this site may change and those considered valid are displayed on Amazon.com. Other brands make gesso that is almost paste-like. Some of this is due the environmental conditions in which the primer is sprayed. Similar to primers for plastic miniatures, the best primers are those that you apply using a spray application. If you apply too much primer, then you may lose some fine surface details as the primer fills them in. Not only does thinly applying primer help you avoid covering up fine detail, these modeling primers give you a lot of control over how much you want to apply at a time. Some or all of those advertising services may use technology such as cookies and web beacons when they advertise on our site, which will send these advertisers information about your visit including your IP address, your ISP, the browser you used to visit our site, and in some cases, whether you have Flash installed. A brighter base coat primer can help get those color saturations quicker with less effort. It’s okay if you can still see the bare surface of your model under a brush-on primer. Because it’s a spray can, you can coat very large surfaces quickly and so this is great for larger models. Polymer-based primers are the best for plastic surfaces. It’ll work on plastic and metal equally well. Due to its formulation, the primer applies easily with a brush or airbrush and creates a smooth and even surface for model paint color. Cheaper primers, e.g., automotive or outdoor furniture primers, are formulated to cover surface fast. These programs are designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to the above affiliated sites. It is a very easy to use spray applicator that works on all types of plastic. You will get the best results when you are patient. It’s fairly expensive for a primer, but may be valuable for the Contrast Paint Technique of “one thick coat”. The less expensive alternative to Citadel primer. When it comes to the best primer for plastic, we think the Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter really does a good job. A poor foundation leads to problems later. It seals and protects porous surfaces. Use a large, flat headed brush and coat in thin layers. After these primers dry, an automotive primer can be sanded to further even out the surface in preparation for paint. Your Miniature Hobby May Be Killing You, How to Apply Warhammer Space Marine Decals (Tips). As an enamel based primer, it is also durable for plastic and metal miniatures. Spray farther away and in very light misting coats. 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