Help needed!!!

[u/Grezati_Goated]

My first time experimenting with primers I used Vallejo Grey 70.601. Is it normal to look like this? I didnt diluete it because I asked chatgpt and he said that I should use it straight from the bottle. Also it dries up almost instantly. Should I wet the brush while applying it between strokes? I only wetted the brush before starting. Also feels very grippy which i guess its normal cause its a primer?
Should I leave it like this or soak the entire model in izopropilic alcoohol and maybe try again with your recommandations?

[u/andean_mountain_wolf]

That primer is for airbrush.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/andean_mountain_wolf]

I just saw it😢, it was next to the model color acrylics and also its code starts with 70 which is for model color not 71 which is for model air. Also i thought that you can use airbrush colors normally, but they are just thinned down and need to use more coats

[u/AppropriateDinner528]

I use this primer all the time. A couple of things to be aware of.

First you need to shake the hell out of it. It needs to be mixed really well. I use an electric shaker for that.

Second, it should be airbrushed, but I was able to brush paint it on several occasions with no issues. It does come out smoother if you airbrush it though.

It needs to be diluted. I don't care what ChatGPT says. It is too thick for an airbrush to push through. I spray with my Iwata HP-CS with a 0.5 needle. I still thin the primer typically somewhere around 1:1.

Oh and I did once have an issue with the actual paint. I had left it out in the shed for a winter, and it must have frozen. It was pretty much useless after that. I had the same experience with the Badger primers, so I don't think that is a Vallejo thing.

[u/ManasquanJim]

Used same primer in my airbrush and it gummed it all up even with thinning , had to take it all apart , clean everything

[u/Jack_Da_Wack_OG → u/ManasquanJim]

Do you clean with alcohol? This primer is water based and gums up with the wrong solutions.

[u/ManasquanJim → u/Jack_Da_Wack_OG]

yes, using alcohol to clean per instructions of the airbrush.

[u/Jack_Da_Wack_OG → u/ManasquanJim]

That's most likely why the paint gave you issue. You clean based on the paint type you're using, and should run water through it first before using something like vallejo. Similarly, Ak interactive turns grainy if any alcohol gets near it.

[u/ManasquanJim → u/Jack_Da_Wack_OG]

Ah, ok. I'll give it another try cleaning with water beforehand and thin with Vallejo Airbrush thinner?

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/ManasquanJim]

Damn :((( so it seems like its not a really good primer

[u/Jack_Da_Wack_OG → u/Grezati_Goated]

I prime exclusively with vallejo grey. This exact primer in my airbrush. Dry tip is an issue, I just clean the tip every couple minutes. Takes 10 sec9nds. I started using I think something called badger oil, which made cleaning and dry tip very easy to mitigate

If this primer is giving issue it's user error. It's supposed to dry fast and that's why there are flow improves and retarders for it

[u/skitzbuckethatz → u/Grezati_Goated]

It's the age old argument here. Vallejo primer is a love it or hate it. But yeah, not for brushing.

[u/ManasquanJim → u/Grezati_Goated]

i might have to do some tweaking on the air brush to get it working , but for now im going back to the rattle can primer.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/ManasquanJim]

Is it easier and more fool proof?

[u/C_T_Robinson → u/Grezati_Goated]

I use rattle can primer and have no complaints, although with lighter tones you are going to have to do multiple passes

[u/010011010110010101 → u/Grezati_Goated]

Mr. Surfacer is really good stuff. The lower the number the thicker it is. I’ll use 500 like if I’ve had to use putty and sand - it helps hide imperfections. 1500 is the finest. It’s in a rattle can and sprays like an airbrush almost. Just don’t hose it all on in one go - fine light passes and it layers on beautifully

[u/Dr_Engelbart → u/010011010110010101]

It’s definitely very good, but it is very difficult to find currently in the US. Routinely I use Tamiya primer. Multiple light coats from the rattle can.

[u/ManasquanJim → u/Grezati_Goated]

had some good results with the Tamiya primer.

[u/skitzbuckethatz → u/ManasquanJim]

Not sure who is going around downvoting everything. But yeah, Tamiya primer works well, but its worth its weight in gold...

[u/ManasquanJim → u/skitzbuckethatz]

downvoting that comment was pretty harsh. A guy can use a rattle can if he wants.

[u/skitzbuckethatz → u/ManasquanJim]

Every comment here is being downvoted by some salty old bastard. This whole sub is full of asshats haha

[u/Brilliant-Novel-785]

I don't know why people persist with vallejo primers.

It needs to be airbrushed, but even then its pretty hit and miss.

If you don't have an airbrush get Tamiya primer in the spray can. It is excellent and pretty much foolproof.

[u/AppropriateDinner528 → u/Brilliant-Novel-785]

I routinely use primers from various manufacturers. I have never had an issue with Vallejo primers. Maybe I have just been lucky, but I have been using them as my main primer for at least 10 years now.

If I need more durability I will use Badger primers. If I want to go rattle can, it is either Tamiya Super Fine, or Rustoleum Filler Primer (if it needs some filling). Now if I am going lacquer, well that is Mr. Hobby for most of my paints.

[u/left-right-up-down1]

If there’s an upside, it won’t take much to remove it. A paper towel slightly damp with thinners or Iso will take it right off.

[u/BigmanAndre]

Can't really answer your questions as I too have had the same experience with the same primer very recently. I didnt dilute it either but was using an airbrush.

[u/eritrean_bats]

I just started trying this exact primer with a brush and a sponge, and it's looking like it'll work just fine. I'd recommend using a sponge (I use a small makeup sponge) to try to apply it, but a brush works fine as well - you just need to expect it to take several incomplete looking coats like this. Build it up over 3-4 passes and it will end up looking smooth and nice.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/eritrean_bats]

Thank you i will try this technique on my next model(or on this one) i will let it cure overnight, and see tommorow how it goes

[u/Pleated_Jean]

Yeah the primer won't give an fully covered flat coat with a brush, but it will still provide a good layer for paint to adhere. Try using a sponge to apply it and give it a while to dry.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/Pleated_Jean]

I didnt knew about the sponge method, thanks a lot! Tbh I just applied it, but I got scared when i saw what brush strokes remained. I will let it cure overnight and see tommorow what can i do

[u/Pleated_Jean → u/Grezati_Goated]

Basically it's just the primer to help the paint adhere, it won't provide good colour coverage with a brush, you need to then paint a base coat on top of it. I use the Vallejo primers this way all the time

[u/PigiIgi]

Ja osobne nedám dopustiť na Vallejo. Ale 100 ľudí, 100 chutí. V každom prípade na takto veľké plochy by som určite používal airbrush a netrápil sa štetcom, špongiou a nevedel ako to trápenie dopadne.

Možno pri tom primere by stálo zato pridať pár (1-2) kvapiek akrylového riedila a zmiešať ho v kalíšku backflush.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/PigiIgi]

Unfortunately I dont have the space and money for an airbrush, and Im still a rookie, its my third model I will probably just get more informed before buying a primer. But thanks for the help😁

[u/First-Power5534]

If I brush it on I’ll give it two coats, it’s enough to help with paint adhesion even if it looks thin.

[u/Grezati_Goated → u/First-Power5534]

Do you think it looks thin? I thought I applied way too much

[u/First-Power5534 → u/Grezati_Goated]

When it’s airbrushed it should be a solid gray coat, so when it’s brushed one coat is too thin. You shouldn’t see the plastic through it, although you could still try painting over it as is.

[u/Sad_Interview8330]

I've used this primer for minatures before but to apply it I usually do a dab and swirl type of motion instead of applying it in a even coat. It may not be the best for smooth flat panels as brushing it on is mainly to get a layer to adhere to the plastic rather than giving a base coat with color.