Alternative to GW primer

[NurglesRot]

Are there good alternatives to GW black primer?

The last time I bought GW primer it was $8, I was shocked that it doubled.

[ElectricPaladin]

Personally, I use Armory primer.

Personally, I think Armory primer is cr@p.

Therefore, I will be watching this thread very closely to see what others recommend.

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I stick with Army Painter, never had any problems with it myself - great variety and range too.

[plasticaddict]

I use Auto primer, cheap, thin and effective. I'll also use Armory primer. I detest GW primer, personal experience it's the only one that has ever fouled up my models.

[jgebi]

can I get some links to these guys web sites if they have any?

[lobster-overlord]

Army Painter, although $14.99 a can is much different than GW primer. GW only offers black and white primer (their other sprays were NOT primers). Army Painter primers, in different colors, not only act as primer, but the whole idea of Army Painter is painting large volumes of minis quickly, so they also double as base coats. I've used their bone (skeletons) Dragon REd (kroot) and leather brown (Blood Angels) and have loved how they come out. Well worth the money and they don't clog at all in my experience.

Otherwise I use Armory Primers.

John M>

[pauljc]

Army Painter is ok.

But after 25 years, I still use Citadel Chaos Black. It has never failed to give me the best results.

[OrksOrksOrks]

For Black I stick to GWs Chaos Black, its a great primer and hasn't steered me wrong in the 15 years I've used it, Grey I user Halfords Grey Primer, thats an auto primer, its pretty good.

[OrksOrksOrks]

But yeah, if cost is the main issue, you're not going to save much with Army Painter, unless you want to save time using a basecoat colour.

[ElectricPaladin]

But yeah, if cost is the main issue, you're not going to save much with Army Painter, unless you want to save time using a basecoat colour.

This.

The only advantage of Armory is that it's about half the cost of GW's primers. Army Painter is about the same price as GW's primers, but if the color matches well it saves you basecoating.

[NurglesRot]

A quick Google search of Armory Primer says to stay away. Grainy/Fuzzy covering that wipes off easily.
I guess you get what you pay for.

If you believe everything you read on the net, then Army Painter can melt plastic.

After researching, quite a lot of people use non-miniture primers like Kryon and Duplicolor.

[inquisitorsog]

Army Painter is about the same price as GW's primers, but if the color matches well it saves you basecoating.

It's worth pointing out that Army Painter's white and black are both MSRP of 11 dollars, not the 14.99 of the other colors. Still more expensive than other alternatives, but significantly cheaper than the ridiculous GW price. I've used their colors on GW plastics and no problems so far.

The thing I dislike most about GW cans is the ridiculously high pressure they started using a couple of years ago. It makes overspray go everywhere, tends to knock the minis around, and makes it nearly impossible to use indoors even with well more than adequate ventilation.

Has anyone used Vallejo? They make GW look cheap, but that makes me wonder why as they're usually cheaper on anything else.

EDIT: I should also say, some people I've seen comment elsewhere swear by using artist's gesso.

[ARBAL]

Vallejo primers in spray is very good option and quality. If you are using airbrush i can recommend2 options:
Vallejo surface primers: http://www.coloureddust.com.pl/2012/10/modelling-materials-part-4.html
AK-Interactive primers: http://www.coloureddust.com.pl/2013/04/modelling-materials-part-8.html

[YourSwordisMine]

I am a big fan of the Army Painter primers. Now that they have a matching brush-on paint line in Warpaints, they are my current favorite.

Army Painter melts plastic? News to me, never happened on any of the plastics I've primed

[ARBAL]

Here is my adventure with Army Painter Primers: http://coloureddust.blogspot.com/2012/05/army-painter-colour-primer.html

[Brakkart]

I am a big fan of the Army Painter primers. Now that they have a matching brush-on paint line in Warpaints, they are my current favorite.

Army Painter melts plastic? News to me, never happened on any of the plastics I've primed

What he said! I swear by Army Painter's Daemonic Yellow spray for base coating my Imperial Fists, it goes on easily and gives a nice smooth even coverage. Brilliant stuff. I've used it on plastic, resin (both Forge World and Finecast resin) and metal without any problems at all.

[DeadPanda]

I personally don't use army painter primer, I have had good experiences with it though, I used it to speed paint a grey knights army a few years back. I even experimented with zenithal highlights using black and then the silver to spray my minis. It was fantastic and went on so even and well. However I then tried the purple on some trolls and I ended up with a very bad furry, powder coated finish. Had a fit and threw the models in the bin. Bought a cheap airbrush compressor set and have been using Vallejo primer ever since.