There are three brands of primer that I use when painting Warhammer miniatures. There are obviously plenty of other primers available, but these are the ones I’ve used and can recommend from my own experience.
Why Do I Need Primer for Painting Warhammer Miniatures?
Primer is important because it gives the surface of your miniature something for the paint to stick to. Without primer, paint won’t cover as well and may eventually peel off.
You can think of primer as a binder between the miniature and your paint.
How to Use Primer for Painting Warhammer Miniatures
Before you start, make sure you shake the can well.
Always use spray primer in a well-ventilated area and follow the instructions on the can.
Hold the can around 6–12 inches away from the miniature and spray in light passes. Don’t spray too close, as this can clog up the detail on the miniature.
I normally leave the primer to dry for around 15–20 minutes, although leaving it for a few hours before painting gives it longer to properly cure.
Two light passes of primer are better than trying to cover the miniature with one heavy coat. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second.
Black vs White Primer
The colour of primer you choose will depend on the colours you plan to use on your miniature.
White primer works well for brighter and warmer colours such as yellows, pinks and reds. Black primer is useful for darker colour schemes and can also help create shadows.
Red primer can work particularly well underneath greens, as it creates some nice shadows.
For metallics, black primer works well with silver, while brown primer is a good choice for warmer metallic colours such as brass, copper, gold and bronze.
Grey primer is a good choice if you’re using Contrast paints. Because Contrast paint is transparent, the grey primer allows the paint to flow into the recesses, leaving the raised areas lighter and the shadows darker.
You can also use white primer underneath transparent paints if you want a brighter finish.
Primer colour guide
| Primer colour | Good for |
|---|---|
| White | Yellows, pinks, reds and transparent paints |
| Grey | Contrast paints and other transparent paints |
| Red | Greens, as it creates nice shadows |
| Black | Browns, black and silver |
| Brown | Brass, copper, gold and bronze |
| Black | Silver metallics |
The Primers I Use For Warhammer Painting
Here are what I consider to be the best primers for Warhammer minis.
Hycote Primer
Hycote is my favourite budget primer and is available from The Range. At around £6 a can, it’s a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot on primer.
I’ve found the black primer particularly good, whereas the white Hycote primer can sometimes be a little patchy.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Easy to get hold of
- Black gives good coverage
- Does the job well
Cons:
- White can be a little patchy
Where to buy: The Range
Citadel Primer
Citadel is Games Workshop’s own primer and is another option I’ve used. It’s more expensive, usually costing around £10–£20 depending on where and when you buy it.
I’ve found it gives good coverage, although it can be a little temperamental depending on the weather.
Pros:
- Good coverage
- Made by Games Workshop
- Good range of colours
- Convenient if you’re already using Citadel paints
Cons:
- More expensive
- Can be temperamental in certain weather conditions
Where to buy: Games Workshop, Amazon
Colour Forge Primer
Colour Forge is my favourite of the three and the one I would choose if I had to pick just one.
A can costs around £14, but you get more primer than you do with a Citadel can, so I think it’s better value for money.
The colours are also matched to Games Workshop paint colours, which is really useful if you’re trying to get a consistent colour scheme. I’ve found it gives great coverage and is easy to use.
Pros:
- Great coverage
- Good value for money
- Larger cans than Citadel
- Colours matched to Games Workshop paints
- Easy to use
Cons:
- More expensive than budget options such as Hycote
Where to buy: Independent Hobby Shops, Wayland Games
Warhammer Miniatures Primer FAQs
What Is the Best Primer for Miniatures?
In my opinion, Colour Forge primer is the best brand for painting Warhammer 40k and other miniatures.
It provides the best coverage for the price.
The best primer for painting minis will depend on the colour you plan to paint the miniature.
White works well for warmer and brighter colours such as yellows, pinks and reds, while black is useful for darker colour schemes.
Can You Use Any Spray Primer on Miniatures?
You can, but the results may vary depending on the brand and quality.
How Long Should Primer Take to Dry on Miniatures?
It should take around 15 minutes to dry, but I recommend leaving it for longer for the best results.
How Many Coats of Primer Do Miniatures Need?
Two light passes of primer are best. Allow the primer to dry between each coat rather than trying to cover the miniature with one heavy coat.
What is the best cheap primer for miniatures?
Hycote is a budget-friendly option worth considering if you don’t want to spend as much on hobby-branded primer. I usually buy it for £6 from The Range, but it is available elsewhere online, although not always quite as cheaply.
I’ve found the black works well, although the white can be patchy, so I’d bear that in mind when choosing a colour.
My Favourite Miniature Primer
Of the three primers I’ve used, Colour Forge is my favourite. It gives great coverage, the cans are larger than Citadel’s, and the colour matching with Games Workshop paints is really useful.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Hycote is worth considering, particularly the black primer.
Citadel also does a good job, but I prefer Colour Forge because I think it offers better value for money.
Next Reads:
The Best Warhammer Models I’ve Painted
