I find when I spray or airbrush without priming the results are a crapshoot, even after washing. Often it works, especially if I put down a very light mist coat, then let it sit a moment, before putting any more on. I find more problems with gloss paints than matt colors, and with enamel rather than acrylics. With enamel I almost always prime before spraying, though I occasionally brush paint on very small parts without priming.