Miniature Primer

Primer is the first coat you put on a miniature or a 3D printed part before painting it. It's what makes the paint grip, stops it rubbing off when you handle the model and keeps the colour even across the whole figure. Here you'll find Vallejo spray primer in 400 ml cans and Vallejo Primer in bottles for airbrush or brush, in white, black, grey and colours.

Below we explain which one to use, which colour to pick and how to prime a resin or PLA print without clogging the detail.

🎨 Primer, Vallejo Primer 18 ml and 200ml
Sale

🎨 Primer, Vallejo Primer 18 ml and 200ml
🎨 Primer, Vallejo Primer 18 ml and 200ml

€3,49
🖌️ Vallejo Primer Spray 400 ml
Sold out

🖌️ Vallejo Primer Spray 400 ml
🖌️ Vallejo Primer Spray 400 ml

€11,99

Why prime before painting?

Acrylic paint doesn't grip well on resin, smooth plastic or metal. Without primer, the paint lifts on the edges and wherever you handle the model most. Primer leaves a matt surface that's rough at a microscopic level, and that's what the paint bonds to.

It also turns the whole piece one colour, so whatever you paint on top looks the same across the whole figure. On 3D prints there's a bonus: it shows up the layer lines and support marks you missed, before you start painting.

Spray imprimacion Vallejo Hobby Paint 28010 400ml para miniaturas - Mr Resin

Spray can or bottle: which one?

The 400 ml spray is the fastest option: you can prime an army in an afternoon. Shake the can for about 2 minutes, spray from 20-25 cm in short passes and build up several thin coats rather than one thick one. Avoid high humidity and cold, or the finish can turn grainy.

The bottled Primer is for airbrush or brush. For airbrushing, thin it 10-20 % with airbrush thinner or flow improver. For brushing, use it straight from the bottle. It comes in 18 ml and, in white, black and grey, also in 200 ml. If you need an airbrush, have a look at our airbrushes.

Which primer colour to choose

White if you're painting light or bright colours, and it's what Xpress Color needs, because those paints rely on a light base to work. Black for dark models, metals and when you want the shadows to almost do themselves. Grey if you're not sure: it works well with almost everything.

A popular trick is zenithal priming: black all over, then white or grey only from above. You can see where the light falls before you paint. The bottled primer also comes in colours such as yellow, red and blue so you can start straight on your basecoat, and the spray comes in a flesh tone for skin.

Which Vallejo primer to use

Product	How to apply it	Colours	Best for
Spray primer 400 ml	Spray can, no thinning	White, black, grey and pale flesh	Priming lots of minis fast
Bottled primer 18 ml	Airbrush (thinned 10-20 %) or brush	White, black, grey and colours	Full control and specific areas
Bottled primer 200 ml	Airbrush or brush	White, black and grey	Lots of airbrush priming

How to prime a resin or PLA print

On resin, the print has to be washed and fully cured, with no tacky resin left. Otherwise the primer won't dry properly. Wash it with soap and water to get rid of finger grease and let it dry. Everything for those steps is in post-processing.

On PLA, sand the layer lines that will show and fill them with putty if needed. Then two thin coats of primer. Step by step in how to prime miniatures and in our miniature primer guide.

Imprimacion Vallejo Primer 70600 Blanco 18ml para miniaturas y modelismo - Mr Resin

Mistakes that ruin a primer coat

Too much primer: it fills the detail and leaves a rubbery surface. Two thin coats are better. Spraying too close: you get pooling. High humidity or cold: the spray comes out grainy or dusty. Dirty or undercured print: the primer wrinkles or won't dry.

If it goes wrong, let it dry and sand it back a little, or strip it with isopropyl alcohol on resin prints and start again. Once it's primed, it's time to paint: you'll find every paint we stock in miniature paints.

Miniature primer: frequently asked questions

Yes. Without primer, paint doesn't grip resin properly and rubs off when you handle the model. Before priming, the print has to be washed, fully cured and degreased with soap and water.

White for light colours and for Xpress Color. Black for dark models and metals. Grey if you're not sure, because it works with almost everything.

A spray can is quicker when you've got lots of minis. An airbrush gives you more control and doesn't depend on the weather. If you airbrush, thin Vallejo Primer by 10-20 %.

Yes, with the bottled primer, unthinned. Brush on thin coats so you don't clog the detail. It's a good option for small parts or for touching up one area.

Usually it's humidity, cold, or spraying from too far away. Prime on a dry day, from about 20-25 cm, with the can well shaken.

It's touch-dry fairly quickly, but it's best to wait a few hours before painting so the coat hardens properly.

Yes. Sand down the layer lines that will show, clean off the dust and apply two thin coats. From there you paint it like any other miniature.

Priming the whole model black, then spraying white or grey only from above. That maps out the natural highlights and shadows before you start painting.

On resin prints, use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and an old toothbrush. If it's just a bit lumpy, let it dry and sand it lightly.

No. Aerosols such as spray primer and spray varnish can only be shipped within Spain. The bottled primers do ship to the other European countries we deliver to.