So, my Army Painter White primer ran out and I bought a new one. This one seems ruined though. When I shake it, the agitator seems to move be rather sluggish in its movement like the paint is thicker. When I spray it, it almost instantly clogs the nozzle and after a lot of cleaning etc., it takes lots of passes to get any coverage on a mini and on top of that, the texture is very grainy. I sort of ruined Jyn and Gideon with it today though I used a P240 sandpaper to painstakingly smooth the figures. Now there are some spots without primer though. Anyone else had this sort of problem? I also sprayed two Trandoshans with this though for them the grainy textures sort of works to make them more scruffy looking (but never as cool as Han).

I don't think it's the humidity or anything else since I used Army Painter Gray primer in the same condition and that worked beautifully. I also noticed that the bottom of the white primer can has outwards dents in it. I can't use the white primer anymore (and of course I've lost the receipt for it) so I guess I have to either buy a new one or stick to Gray or Black primers. Gray works well for the fireman figures I have for another game but white is better for vibrant colors. Would a Gray primer, a Ceramite White layer on top of that and actual colors on top of that work? Of course that would mean more work. And instead of using just primer, I'd be using another primer and Ceramite White to just to get started.

Doesn't sound good.

I bought Army Painter white some 5 years ago. It wasn't as bad as you describe but it was clumpy and clogged the details even though I thought I was spraying discreetly. In any case a whole different result than what I get with Games Workshop's black primer, which is smooth and perfect. I was quite disappointed and haven't used it since and nowadays I prime with an airbrush...

I don't know if the brand is to blame or if all white primers are like that, and I can't say with 100% certainty that the problem wasn't in my technique or something. But a thick, sluggish paint doesn't sound right in your case.

I'm not sure if it's my imagination but I think the Games Workshop white primer is a little courser than their black or dark green sprays.

I've had mixed results with both the Army Painter and the Citadel white primers actually; both have at different times given a rough, grainy texture for some reason. I'm curious to see if Citadel's latest off-white ("Corax White") spray is any better.

I'm also giving serious thought to venturing down the airbrush route, which I know isn't cheap, but would be a great way to prime the minis and also speed up the painting of larger models...

I did email Army Painter and asked if I did something wrong. They said that the high pigmentation in the spray can cause the nozzle to clog. They sent me new nozzles and couple of different nozzle models to try. Hopefully those work so I don't have to throw the entire primer away.

The trandoshans I primed with this white worked out pretty well, the grainy texture was mostly showing in the feet and once I painted the mud effect and dry brushes some lighter color, it actually looks a little like dried mud chunks.

Here are photos of the two trandoshans I've painted and primed Jyn and Gideon. You can see the gritty texture on Jyn and Gideon. All the figures have a gritty base too.

Overall I'm rather happy how the Trandoshans turned out. I only had Biel-Tan Green so mixed some yellow and brown into it for the blue shirted one.

Jyn and Gideon have some gray spots since I've used P240 sandpaper to even the surface. I think once I get it smooth or the primer completely stripped off I need to prime them again. Perhaps with gray primer since that one works well.

I'm also giving serious thought to venturing down the airbrush route, which I know isn't cheap, but would be a great way to prime the minis and also speed up the painting of larger models...

I use one. Once you go airbrush, you'll never look back. It's a good investment if you paint a lot, but what about your newbie friendly videos?

I'm also giving serious thought to venturing down the airbrush route, which I know isn't cheap, but would be a great way to prime the minis and also speed up the painting of larger models...

I use one. Once you go airbrush, you'll never look back. It's a good investment if you paint a lot, but what about your newbie friendly videos?

Glad someone mentioned this. Sorastro has already cost me a lot of money introducing me to the painting hobby. I hope I don't end up having to buy expensive equipment too!

I had this probelm as well, very grainy models. How do I strip them of the primer so I can try again? Perhasp with the gray one.

I had this probelm as well, very grainy models. How do I strip them of the primer so I can try again? Perhasp with the gray one.

I hear Purple Stuff for the USA and Dettol for the UK work wonders with a toothbrush. Although I've never tried it myself.

I used Dettol to strip my Vader when he went through a snowstorm (cloudy matte varnish). Worked great.