Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: oldskoolrebel on April 04, 2014, 05:30:38 PM
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Good Afternoon all,
I was having a read at some of the previous topics on spray primers. From what I can see most of these topics are a couple of years old. Now that several manufacturers have changed paint ranges etc, I was wondering if the old favourites are still the best or if there is something new and exciting on the market.
The reason that I'm asking is because I've been using the primer below, however after a year (or two) the nozzle seems to be constantly clogging up (I've changed the nozzle a couple of times now). So I'm looking for an alternative; this cost about £6-£8 from my local B&Q- not that far off the cost of a traditional primer.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rJr-QG-8L._SY300_.jpg)
So guys any recommendations? Oh and I definitely prefer black, it helps me to hide my mistakes!
Cheers
Andy
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I use Hycote from local car spares shops @ £2.99. They do primer in black, white & grey and I was told its the same as Halfords as they can for them.
Here it is on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HYCOTE-XUK027-Aerosol-Spray-Paint/dp/B003MI0JOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396629390&sr=8-1&keywords=hycote+paint (http://www.amazon.co.uk/HYCOTE-XUK027-Aerosol-Spray-Paint/dp/B003MI0JOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396629390&sr=8-1&keywords=hycote+paint)
Svennn
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Not black, but I use Halfords matt dark drown in their camo paints range after recommendation from Bibbles.
It gives a truly matt finish and is very dark brown. Well worth a look.
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And I got it from our very own Captain of Blood :D
I also use the normal Halfords primers (white, grey, black and red). Certainly do the job for me.
cheers
James
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Does anyone know the avarage life expectancy of a can or primer? I don't use it all that often, but I am getting the feeling that I need to be replacing this one (it's still half full)
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The longer you keep it the more you have to shake it :)
cheers
James
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Hey Andy :)
Yes, as Malamute and Bibbles say - Halfords own brand 'camo' dark brown. Very nice dark, rich colour, and a bit easier on the eyes than black, excellent coverage, smooth texture, free flowing and absolutely flat matt. £7.99 for quite a big spray can. All branches of Halfords. (They do other colours in this range too, including khaki, but I've never tried it... )
Plasti-kote is sh*te.
:)
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Odd. I used Plasti-Kote Super matt black as a primer for a long while and had few problems with it. Switched to the actual primer (the stuff in the photo) for the last can, and though I haven't used it all and not for a while, that seemed okay too.
I've used the Halfords grey primer too. No complaints although it seems a bit toothier. Might look for that brown too.
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I've used Plasti-Kote before on surfaces that don't take traditional sprays well; I'm talking polystyrene and insulation foam for terrain pieces, that sort of thing. It gives a tough and slightly rubberised coating and is good for that, but I wouldn't like it for my models. Not a texture I like to paint onto in any detail.
At the moment I'm using Vallejo black primer spray and frankly I think I'll swap back to the old car sprays (that call from Svenn is worth following up) because although it's reliable enough and does the job okay, it's not cheap and isn't exceptional. The coverage is also a little light.
I didn't even know sprays had a shelf life, but sometimes the cans do seem to bugger up when the propellant gets low. This is unfortunate when us conscientious modellers make sure to turn the can upside-down and spray the nozzle clear after each use, running through the propellant quicker than the contents.
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I've used Plasti-Kote before on surfaces that don't take traditional sprays well; I'm talking polystyrene and insulation foam for terrain pieces, that sort of thing. It gives a tough and slightly rubberised coating and is good for that, but I wouldn't like it for my models. Not a texture I like to paint onto in any detail.
Precisely.
I've used it for a number of other, er.. creative jobs over the years. The clue is in the name. The paint gives a very distinctly plasticised finish. Alright for some things - not really for painting little soldiers.
Car primer's the best I've found. Better - and a great deal cheaper than supposed specialised 'hobby' primers marketed to wargamers.
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I use the Tamiya Fine Surface Primer
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The grey stuff? Me too. It's the dog's wotsits. Not a cheap option though.
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Another vote for cheap and cheerful Hycote. I normally use white on mini's but the "red oxide" is very useful sometimes too.
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The grey stuff? Me too. It's the dog's wotsits. Not a cheap option though.
Grey it is, but I've used the white too when it was all I could get. Use it once and you'll be hooked too.
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I also use the normal Halfords primers (white, grey, black and red). Certainly do the job for me.
I'm with James on this, you get a nice 'tooth' with Halfords with which to put down a good basecoat all over the miniature.
It is worth every penny!
Darrell.
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+1 on halfords grey, white and black undercoats. Used em for years. Humbrol acrylic spraycans too. But this may all change when my compressor and airbrush arrive.
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Cheers guys.
It looks as though I'll order some of the spray that Svenn recommended.
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I use Hycote from local car spares shops @ £2.99. They do primer in black, white & grey and I was told its the same as Halfords as they can for them.
Here it is on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HYCOTE-XUK027-Aerosol-Spray-Paint/dp/B003MI0JOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396629390&sr=8-1&keywords=hycote+paint (http://www.amazon.co.uk/HYCOTE-XUK027-Aerosol-Spray-Paint/dp/B003MI0JOY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396629390&sr=8-1&keywords=hycote+paint)
Svennn
Hi Svenn, have you got a sample handy of how just how matte is dries to? I'd be more than happy to pay that price! :)
Darrell.
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I too use the Tamiya Fine Surface Grey and White primers. Excellent results, but not cheap.
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Do you have access to Armory primers? I use them quite a bit and they are affordable. for models I use the Tamiya, it is superior, and I can touch up small spots with their brush on primer. It leaves a nice finish for airbrushing . Some folks around here claim the Armory is a bit "grainy" for their tastes, but I like it.
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Do you have access to Armory primers?
To be honest I hadn't heard of them until your other post on another thread. i'll try googling it and see what comes up!
There's this conversation about them on Dakka Dakka that came up (I haven't had time to read it as of yet):
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/560761.page
Darrell.
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Poundland do a nice white and grey too, but the black is a gloss, haven't bought any for ages, though.
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I'm with James on this, you get a nice 'tooth' with Halfords with which to put down a good basecoat all over the miniature.
It is worth every penny!
Darrell.
Same here.
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Used all kinds of matte primers for 30 years for work and painting figures, all a bit much of a muchness really. Trick is don't paint too close or too far away, shake the begeeses out of the can always. Plasticote have changed their nozzles and cans in the last year which is a pain as you cant save the nozzles, but has improved it to a finer spray and less clog.
I find whatever your using it can help to preheat the figures on a radiator, and put on a radiator to dry.
All spray paints will be temperature sensitive too. If its cold, matte will gloss, or sheen to silk, gloss will blume - or go creamy opaque on the surface. That will happen too for matte clear coats.
For super matte Ive used blackboard paint in the can.
Halfords is good for colour variations, and florescents.
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It really is worth considering an airbrush for undercoating.
I know i cost more to begin with, but the actual bottles of Valejo paint ( good colour range now ) are cheap enough and last for ages..
The bottles last for ages because the amount of paint you are putting on is SO SO thin...
Airbrushes really do make a HUGE difference to your painting long term!
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I've thought about it but I haven't got a clue what to buy!
The thought of the different types of compressors make the mind boggle o_o
I'd want to use it for airbrushing AFV's etc so it would have to be a good one.
I'm open to suggestions :) ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Darrell.
It really is worth considering an airbrush for undercoating.
I know i cost more to begin with, but the actual bottles of Valejo paint ( good colour range now ) are cheap enough and last for ages..
The bottles last for ages because the amount of paint you are putting on is SO SO thin...
Airbrushes really do make a HUGE difference to your painting long term!
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Badger Airbrush,Sparmax compressor,cost me about $400 Australian.If I can airbrush,anyone can airbrush :),check my blog; especially vehicles,'planes et cetera.
Cheers
Wolfie
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Badger Airbrush,Sparmax compressor,cost me about $400 Australian.If I can airbrush,anyone can airbrush :),check my blog; especially vehicles,'planes et cetera.
Cheers
Wolfie
I'll check out just how much they cost here in the UK.
Are there any essential specific specifications that I should looking out for with the compressor?
Darrell.
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Hello Darrel,
A gauge and a water trap,psi should be from 0 to 100,however airbrush usage is usually about 15 to 30 psi and they usually recommend you not go over 60 psi.
Any of the name brands are your best bet as the cheapskate ones,ah well cheap lol
Guy
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Hello Darrel,
A gauge and a water trap,psi should be from 0 to 100,however airbrush usage is usually about 15 to 30 psi and they usually recommend you not go over 60 psi.
Any of the name brands are your best bet as the cheapskate ones,ah well cheap lol
Thanks Guy, I'll do a bit of internet sourcing and see what i come up with. I may PM you if that's OK?
Darrell.
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I have never had a spray can of any kind clutteing up on, me - even 10 years old cans that got forgotten at the back of sheds or the likes.
Only precaution I take, is, after use, ALWAYS hold upside down and 'shoot' until only propellant emerges. Cleans the nozzle.
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PM away old boy :)
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PM away old boy :)
Just to get the names of the better manufacturers really.
I'll PM you with my questions this afternoon matey :)
Darrell.
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Just to follow up on this thread, I bought myself a couple of halfords primers today (white and grey) after being a die-hard citadel primer user for many years. Very happy with the results so far, I'm priming some pendraken romans and the coverage is great and dries quickly. They seem to smell/act very similarly to the primer that citadel use, so at £7.50 a pop for 500ml can, I'm a happy man, cheers for the recommendations!