Looking to try a new primer

[Garanhir]

Having seen how versatile grey primers seem to be, I'd like to try some.

Ideally, though, although most folks seem to like spray primers, I'd prefer a brush-on.

Any suggestions? Warn-offs?

[john Hollyoak]

Big fan of the Valleyo primers. Come in various colours (including light grey). I use 2 coats but it is so thin that it doesn't obscure details. It is also very flexible. Can be used in an airbrush but I brush it on. As you are West Mids based it is easily available at Parabellum in the Jewelery Quarter or at Mr Models in Bearwood.
John

[AngusH]

I'll 2nd the Vallejo recommendation. With the humidity where I am, I brush on Vallejo 95% of the time, for all but terrain pieces. I generally use black, but I have their light grey primer and it works fine too. I apply one thicker layer and let it dry for about 24 hours, and then touch up missed spots. It shrinks a good deal, which is a great quality for a primer.

For rattle cans, the Tamiya gray primer is the best I've ever used, but it's on the pricey side. I used it exclusively before trying the Vallejo brush on primer and never looking back.

[westwaller]

I brush on black Vallejo surface primer with a little bit of Tamiya flatbase mixed in (the surface primer has a slight sheen otherwise, I find)

shake and stir the (70ml) bottle, put a bit in a plastic bottle top, touch of flatbase and your good to go.

I must say I have had mixed results with the 17ml white one though but it might just be a duff bottle or I was lazy about shaking it? I have just got the light grey one to try too and a 17ml Nato green one...

[Eric the Shed]

Totally recommend Halfords Grey Primer - in fact I picked up this recommendation from some of the other folks here on the LAF

Will never go back...

[Hu Rhu]

I'm with Eric the Shed.  Halford's grey primer has excellent coverage and is very cheap compared to most other primers marketed by Wargames/Modelling outlets.  Works equally well on metal, resin and plastic figures. 

[JamesValentine]

Hycote Matt Grey, Black and Red Oxide Primer.
I've used hycote since I started this hobby at 6yrs. never let me down. not once

[Ahistorian]

Hycote has been my preferred primer in both black & grey since 2010.

[Sbloom141]

Grey auto primer from Poundland (or any U.K. Pound shop)

It's pretty much all I use now and I've never had any issues with it!

[Ahistorian]

I have been 50/50 with the £land primer, presumably due to atmospheric stuff. I trust it with scenery now, but not models (I play in 15mm or 6mm, so the detail vanishes quickly).

I've never had any trouble with Hycote though.

[Orctrader]

Humbrol Matt Black #33  The enamel;, not acrylic.  I (almost) always use brush-on primer.

Can thin with white spirits if required.

[JamesValentine]

I have been 50/50 with the £land primer, presumably due to atmospheric stuff. I trust it with scenery now, but not models (I play in 15mm or 6mm, so the detail vanishes quickly).

I've never had any trouble with Hycote though.

And it's pretty darn cheap. Especially online. Can get packs of 10 cans for silly prices like £20-30.

[AndrewBeasley]

If you like brush on have you thought about grey gesso?

A quick google will show you how (thick and do not fiddle) and great for soft plastics.

I'm in the Halford camp by the way

[Wargamer Dave]

Another vote for the Vallejo. Brush it on, let it "shrink wrap" onto the figure. I'm never going back to spray cans.