I Converted to Gesso

[throwsFireball]

Welp, that's it. I'm a Gesso convert now.

Just switched it up and it's so much better. None of the problems that plague spraying and beautiful even coverage (and even if it wasn't, I can just dab on the spots I missed).

Completely converted.

I recommend anyone who's still spraying does too.

[DELTADOG]

O.o....?

You talk of this viscuose white Acrylic primer thing?

[throwsFireball]

O.o....?

You talk of this viscuose white Acrylic primer thing?

Yep. As compared to sprays.

[FramFramson]

Been using black gesso for ages (I should try to mix it and give gray a go though). Nothing beats it.

[Mr. Peabody]

I've been using Holbein grey gesso for years.

Pro-tip: dilute it 50/50 with water and it airbrushes beautifully. Don't know about other brands, but the Holbein won't break or weaken when mixed this way.

[Jacksarge]

I have been using an Australian brand of Gesso for several years called "Derivan Matisse Background", it's great on metals plastic and resin.
I use a shade called "Gum Tree Green", gives a really useful grey green neutral ground for paint.

[Mr. Peabody]

Oh, that's a pretty darn cool colour for a gesso...   

[SteveBurt]

Liquitex do a clear Gesso.
Add whatever colour takes your fancy.
It has more of a 'tooth' than the white or black gesso, though, so may not be suitable for things with fine detail.

[grant]

I've been using Holbein grey gesso for years.

Pro-tip: dilute it 50/50 with water and it airbrushes beautifully. Don't know about other brands, but the Holbein won't break or weaken when mixed this way.

That's intriguing. I use Vallejo airbrush primers and they've been stellar but might try that. I usually mix my own colours for the primers too, and it's been a lifesaver for base colour.

[Mr. Peabody]

For model kits and especially for resin, I use the coloured Vallejo Surface Primers. I agree, they are fantastic.

I'll only use the Gesso for minis. Although way, way back I did use it for a Gundam kind of thing and it worked just fine.

[gary42]

And you can get spray Gesso at Wal-Mart type places.  I cleaned em' out in my little town.  Love Gesso then tried the spray stuff!  Love it!

[Charlie_]

Ok, I'm lost, what's Gesso?

[rebelyell2006]

Ok, I'm lost, what's Gesso?

It's a thick liquid that hardens very closely to the surface it is painted on.  Basically, a brushable acrylic primer mixed with a hardening substance.  I think some brands use gypsum or chalk as a hardener.  

It's great for plastics and metal, sorta okay for wood.  It doesn't go on well to cardboard.

[FramFramson]

For the record, it predates acrylic and doesn't need to be acrylic. It's any glue (or primer medium) + pigment (usually white) + gypsum or chalk. Modern acrylic gesso technically isn't gesso at all, but it's very similar and the same idea (a chalk or gypsum added to a primer material).

[Zaheer]

I use gesso myself, System3 both black and white. And although I won't go back, I do find that the black has a slight sheen on it. Without meaning to derail to OP's thread too much can anyone recommend a truly matt black gesso?