hello all!

I picked up painting again recently due to playing X-Wing but have since started looking at what other delightful things I can paint and recently stumbled on Imperial Assault - what a treasure trove!

X-Wing was nice and easy as the mini's come painted but, having just opened my first pack of "Wookiee Warriors" I realized these will likely benefit from priming - I recently bought the below but, as these are beige I was curious if white is best of if I should be using a black.

So - as more experienced paints, which primer do you guys use and what do you like about it?

Thanks in advance!

DangerShine Designs

I typically use krylon spray primers. I use white and grey on my mini's. That I think is just a paint and not a primer. I could be wrong and if I am someone please post that I am. If it is just a color paint it could flake off over time. I have been also experimenting with jesso for priming when the weather is not so good outside. The gesso works great because I can use a brush and it does not give off a noxious odor. So I hope that it will work for you as a primer before you paint.

I use Army Painter for all my primers, just because that is what my LGS has. I really like it though, coverage is always good and I've never had problems with it clumping or going on wrong. Would recommend. Not sure how expensive it is compared to others though, it seems pricey to me but maybe it is just in the ball park.

I use Army Painter for all my primers, just because that is what my LGS has. I really like it though, coverage is always good and I've never had problems with it clumping or going on wrong. Would recommend. Not sure how expensive it is compared to others though, it seems pricey to me but maybe it is just in the ball park.

I use Army Painter as well. Their primers are good. Especially the black and gray ones. Easy to get a good coat that covers well but doesn't ruin the details. The only AP primer I've used that I've had problems with is white. One can I bought just clogged all the time even with the spare nozzles the Army Painter generously sent me after I emailed them about the problem. But the next can of white has worked well.

Pricewise, AP primers are cheaper than Citadel primers and I find the AP primers to be better. I've also used Citadel's white primer and I thought the AP was better. Even with the problems I had. AP spray-on varnish is also good.

Here's an image what the ruined can of white primer did (this is from 2015):

I had just painted the trandoshans and you can see how uneven the surface is. The same for the heroes and some primer has even flaked off.

Luckily when painted and from gaming distance, it doesn't matter.

I use Games Workshop sprays. They are the best sprays going and hold the coverage.

I don't use primer. Why? Because I'm one of the few strange people who is using enamel paints. With FFG figures the paint sticks and covers well.

However, because I paint with reasonably thin layers, and I apply wash, touch-up and perform some drybrushing, you can say I base-coat.

I use whatever spray can of primer I can find, at the moment it's mostly army painter, but I've used GW and even Halfords primers meant for cars.

Nowadays I Always do a zenithal prime, Start with a full coat of black, then a quick coat of grey from the top and finish with a dusting of white from the top, this way you start putting down your shades/highlights from the start

Always spray in multiple thin layers, and let it dry in between or you start losing detail

Flat white or black spray paint. A couple of light coatings works very well.

I paint with acrylics and they bond wonderfully to the flat surface. Krylon matte spray to finish.

I have used this method for many many years on a variety of plastic to metal minis and I have never had any chipping or peeling paint.

Krylon spray white primer. Good product for the price and is readily available at most retailers. Occasionally I'll use grey, but only if I'm army-painting something in a dark color.

I used to use GW primer, but had lots of problems with consistency and the price. This was a few years ago, though and I haven't gone back to it since.

I use krylon as well. I used to use gw primer, until it was $15 a can. Krylon works just as well and can be bought at Walmart for less than $3 a can. Highly recommended.

Generic automotive spray primer. Excellent coverage, excellent adhesion, extremely thin coat, perfect to paint on or even use as a final coat as it will take washes well. Also dirt cheap.

Just don't use sandable auto primer. This is meant to fill scratches, details, etc and be sanded flat. It will eventually come off with handling and fill details in minis! I used to work in autobody and tried this... it ruined several warhammer minis even with thin coats. They needed a nice simple green bath after that...

If using auto primer, only use non sandable and non filler primers.