Tools of the Trade - Primers

Choosing a primer can almost be as difficult as figuring out what to paint. In my opinion having a good primer layer to paint over is one of the most important stages of bringing your miniatures to life.

**The following information is based on my personal experience with painting and priming miniatures, so please do not take this as the gospel of priming!**

Lets cover some basics for priming before we talk about the options out there. This is all based on flat enamel or acrylic primers. No gloss or specialty brands.

1. Color - Black/White/Grey are the 3 most common colors of primer used by painters. Black will provide a darker base that will hide missed areas of a model and help with shading and depth. White provides a base to paint over allowing for paints to show bright and vibrant, but will also show any missed areas like a sore thumb. Grey is a middle ground between the two, missed areas will not be as noticeable, but recesses and shades will not be as deep. With that said, there are numerous colored sprays from Army Painter, GW and others that will allow for shortcuts on models that are going to be primarily a certain color.
2. Ventilation - After you have chosen your preferred color, find some where that you an spray it. Inside the house, office, shed or fallout shelter is not suggested unless you have a spray booth or fan that can filter the spray. Best choice is outside, and away from anyone else. Most importantly don't breathe in the fumes and mist that will come out while spraying.
3. Distance - Depending on the brand and force that the primer leaves the can you will have to adjust the distance that you are spraying from. Usually a good 8-10 inches from the miniature is good, but this an vary. Best tip I can give is spray on a spare piece of paper or card (miniature if you have a spare your not using), to see how it lays from different distances. 
4. Control - When spraying your miniature it is best (IMO) to use short controlled bursts to apply the paint. Sometimes that nozzle can clog, or have paint build up and if you are just spray and praying you may not notice. This can lead to loss of detail on the miniature, fuzzy texture or ruining the nozzle all together. Take you time and evenly cover the miniature.
5. Temperature - Always a hot topic, temperature can and will cause issues for you. Humidity is the main concern, as the more moisture in the air means that your primer has a higher chance of trapping that moisture in or under the paint. This an keep it from drying properly and could also cause chipping later you. Every once and a while you an also get the "fuzz" effect from heat or moisture. This basically turns your primer layer into a velvety and coarse texture. The paint will rub off and feels very gritty. All of this will depend on where you live, I am in Maryland where during the summer it is like a swamp, but Spring and Fall are perfect. If you can taste the air outside, I would wait to prime. For me the best days are between 70-80 degrees and little to no humidity.

Hopefully I didn't bore you with that somewhat wordy list, but I think it is important to touch on. Once you have your basics down its time see whats out there to use!

Joe's Top 5

#1 Quick Color Flat Enamel Spray (Home Depot)

Pros: CHEAP! (under $1), Great Coverage, Good Nozzle

Cons: Only black comes in flat, gloss wont work on miniatures

#2 Vallejo Surface Primer

Pros: Usable with an airbrush, Various Colors, Great Coverage, Can be painted on

Cons: Best with an airbrush, Cost ($5 for 17ml - $15 for 200ml)

(**This will still need to be thinned if running through an airbrush**)

#3 Citadel Primers

Pros: Excellent Coverage, Various Colors, Trusted Brand

Cons: Cost ($17-$28 per can), Not the best nozzle

#4 Dupli-Color Sandable Primer (Automotive Primer)

Pros: Excellent Coverage, Various Colors, Sandable

Cons: Availability, Cost ($12-$15 per can)

#5 Army Painter Spray Primers

Pros: Large Color Selection, Color Match Paint System

Cons: Poor Nozzle, Horrible in Poor Temperatures, Cost ($10-$15 per can)

I have gone back and forth on AP primers. I love the colored sprays and the fact that for each they have a 100% matching paint is awesome. The issue I have is their issues with priming in sub-optimal weather conditions. Personally this primer has fuzzed, flaked and frosted on me the most of any other. Their website also suggests a closer spray distance of 6-7 inches and long sprays while moving side to side, this goes against my tips above. I like to have more control of my primer and this really clashes.

Conclusion

Again, you will have to work with what you are more comfortable. Many will disagree with my list or preferred choice, and that's ok. These are the ones I have worked most with and prefer in the order listed. Primers are costly, and something that I have always had issues with as time has gone on. When I started painting primers were in the $5-$10 range and now you are spending more for primer than miniatures in some cases. 

I hope this helps and just remember the tips at the top!