Vallejo primer issues ... SOS

Vallejo primer can be used straight from the bottle, but you may experience problems with smaller nozzles (0.3mm-ish & less) - in which case it needs to be thinned.

Vallejo's own thinner or water seem to work best - alcohol is a no-no with it though!

Milairjunkie

Vallejo primer can be used straight from the bottle, but you may experience problems with smaller nozzles (0.3mm-ish & less) - in which case it needs to be thinned. ...

Would you cut it with distilled water 1:1, or more, or less?  The brush has a .3 nozzle, and works just fine for me with properly thinned paint.  I wonder if I should get an inexpensive .5 nozzle brush, just for spraying Vallejo primer, since I have so much ... ?  Being cheap just keeps getting more and more expensive, LOL.

Thanks for your answer!

I wouldn't rush out to get a nozzle specifically for the primer, just thin with water for starters & see how you like the stuff first - maybe start with 1 water to 3 primer & take it from there, making further adjustments if you have to.

i use it with tamiya acrylic thinner too. i like this primer as it gives a smooth finish and i have never had it peel off. dont make it too thin tho'

Milairjunkie

I wouldn't rush out to get a nozzle specifically for the primer, just thin with water for starters & see how you like the stuff first - maybe start with 1 water to 3 primer & take it from there, making further adjustments if you have to.

I've actually thinned it with water at maybe 1 part to 2 parts primer, and it still clogs up the nozz.  I'll try the Tamiya Thinner, and see what happens.  No joy with that, and I'll try more water.

Thanks for the help, guys.

I actually WOULD get a AB or nozzle that would handle primer straight up.  The whole idea of primer is to get a surface that'll take paint and fill imperfections if necessary.  It never hurts to have a gun that'll spray larger areas evenly with a wide variety of media.

It's why I've used a Paasche VL for over 30 yrs.  I can shoot anything from ink to laytex house paint using one of the three tips available.

Make sure your target is clean, dry & free from grease, I wash my models before priming.

I use an Iwata CS with a 0.5mm headset, and spray Vallejo primers neat, no thinning but at a higher pressure than usual, with no probs.

I think the 0.3 needle is contributing, to the issue, Vallejo have what they call tip retartder, but I haven't used it with the primer, nor have I tried thinning it, as I use the primer because I have probs getting Vallejo ModelAir to stick without some form of priming.

On the other hand a hobby club member uses ONLY Vallejo ModelAir Black AS a primer, so go figure.

OMCUSNR

I actually WOULD get a AB or nozzle that would handle primer straight up.  The whole idea of primer is to get a surface that'll take paint and fill imperfections if necessary.  It never hurts to have a gun that'll spray larger areas evenly with a wide variety of media ...

I hear ya, Chief.  I'm still going to try the Tamiya thinner, etc., but you're right about having a second gun for versatility, and I think I will get one.

Thanks again to all who answered.  I got something from everyone.

For primer, I usually use a RATTLE CAN of Mr. Surfacer 1200 or Tamiya Fine White primer.  Much faster than an airbrush, but you gotta be real careful not to get too much on.  It really blasts out fast.

I've just started testing this primer with my Paasche H with a #3 tip (~20 psi) and have not noticed any clogging issues. It certainly dries faster in the tip than paint, but nothing unmanageable. I'm actually quite liking the product so far - good adhesion, low / no fumes.  

flyinyak

I've just started testing this primer with my Paasche H with a #3 tip (~20 psi) and have not noticed any clogging issues. It certainly dries faster in the tip than paint, but nothing unmanageable. I'm actually quite liking the product so far - good adhesion, low / no fumes.  

Happy for you.  Still clogs my tip after just a short while ... As for liking it on a surface, I'll agree with you there - it's just getting it on the surface in the first place that's bugging me.