Undercoating without spraying

[Last Hussar]

Does anyone undercoat with out spraying?

How do I do it?

[mmcv]

Yeah I would use paint on primer most of the time. Lately I've mostly been using this one:

https://www.pendraken.co.uk/black-primer-60ml-6544-p.asp

But I do sometimes use grey shade ones too.

Just make sure you use an old brush as it can dry in hard if you don't rinse well enough. I use a fairly big brush, the primer is somewhat thin so you can blob it on fairly heavily and by the time it's dried it's formed a nice thin coat.

Unless I've misunderstood the question...

[WeeWars]

I can't remember using a spray primer since 2014 when I bought my first brush-on primer. 

http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost172.htm

I use a number of browns and greys. Works perfectly. Avoid touching the miniature once primed as the primer can rub off. 

In use here:

228 : Contrast Paints – Supreme Littleness Designs Projects

[hammurabi70]

Does anyone undercoat with out spraying?

How do I do it?

I have never undercoated using spray.  Normal style is to use black or white to cover the model first: white for individuals and black for equipment.  Using acrylics you might like to thin with some water.

[Steve J]

I trialled using GW Black paint straight onto the bare metal this past week, having seen a Little Wars TV video on painting 10mm figures. Whilst not as durable as spray primer, it has worked perfectly well so far and I can't see any problems going forward as I always pick up units by their bases. It also has the huge advantage of not wasting paint (30% or more of the spray is simply wasted) as well as none of the terribly toxic fumes which means spraying outside.

For vehicles I will continue to use spray primer, but might try and 'proper' brush on primer at some point in the future.

[sultanbev]

Never spray undercoat, it always misses parts, undercuts between legs/wheels, etc. Brush all the way. Only undercoat in enamels too, Humbrol are still great.

I do use spray varnish to finish.

[Ithoriel]

I only use brush on undercoat in extremis. Usually because the weather is so awful that spraying outside is unlikely to be possible any time soon and I have a deadline or occasionally because I've taken the blighters outside to undercoat them only to have the rattle can give a brief blerp of paint followed by a brief hiss of escaping propellant and the rest is silence.

I find I miss just as much, or even more, of the figure with a brush as I do with the can. Spraying is far faster too.

Big brush and white, grey or black paint to choice and Robert is your mother's brother!

[Last Hussar]

Is there a particular kind of paint I should try with? I use acrylic,  should I use it as is, or water down?

[Ithoriel]

I use Vallejo acrylics neat to begin with then slightly thinned in a vain attempt to get it to flow into all the nooks and crannies.

Spray or brush there always seems to be somewhere I've missed but since it's never on a surface that is likely to get handled I cover bald spots as I paint the figure.

[fsn]

May I ask why you want to undercoat without spraying?

The thought of undercoating by brush puts a cold shiver up my spine.

(See!)

Granted I am a high volume - low quality painter, but never had any problem with coverage or surface from rattle cans. I'd use an air brush, but rattle cans are so much more convenient.

[jimduncanuk]

Having only been in the hobby for 50+ years I can honestly say I have never sprayed a primer or an undercoat.

I always brush on the first coat of whatever it is and only use a spray for a final protective coat, gloss or matt varnish.

[Ithoriel]

I've been spray painting the undercoats for my figures since the late 70's, I just wish I'd discovered the idea sooner.

My first use of spray paint was in 1964 when I spray painted my Airfix Julius Caesar figure, all six or so inches of him, with gloss red paint. Then brush painted his face and arms bright gloss pink and the gold detailing a garish gloss yellow.

Some might feel my painting hasn't improved much

[Last Hussar]

The reason for not spraying is very mundane.
I am now in a 2nd floor flat, and the only downside (apart from distance to my Regular) is spraying is now difficult.

[fsn]

Oh dear. I am genuinely sorry.

Have you considered a spray booth?

[Ben Waterhouse]

I use brush on primer, the Vallejo ones mentioned above in white.