Gesso as primer?

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MagickalMemories ( 832 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by MagickalMemories »

Gloss sealer is a better for protecting your minis but (IMO), matte looks better.
I prefer to use gloss, then put a coat of matte over it.


Eric
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porkuslime ( 3094 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by porkuslime »

This seems like a good place for this question..

I have a Land Raider that I paid a very small sum to get painted up. Very small sum, let me repeat. When I got it back, it appeared ok from the pictures I was sent, but upon having it in hand, it lacked a lot. Mainly, the entire underside and lower rear side of the Land Raider was unpainted, and still bare plastic. Huh? When I queried the painter, he said that since his local group never turned over tanks to represent damage, he just didn't think to paint it. what... ev...er.

So, now I have a partially painted tank. MOST of it is fine and dandy from 18 inches away, but the lack of paint bugs me. And... when I swivel the Lasgun sponsons, the interior side is unpainted as well.. and as I explored the paint, I kept finding things that looked gray from 18 inches, but bare plastic from 2 inches.. arrrgh.

So, I want to match paint on this, BUT I refuse to paint over bare plastic.. and am now looking for a gray/black neutral primer that is brushable.

My only experience with priming is with spray paint, so, I don't know what to use. What is this Gesso? Is it oil based or enamel? would I be best off with heavy spray painting a box-lid, and using a brush to transfer still damp primer to the tank with control? How much Gesso is a good idea, and can I apply it with a fine brush?

help!
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imp522 ( 730 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by imp522 »

Porkuslime,
Gesso is acrylic http://www.liquitex.com/Products/surfprepgesso.cfm can be picked up at the craft stores like Michale's.

You can use a small to fine brush to apply it. Just take your time and keep in mind that when it dries it shrinks so you may need to go back and do a touch up here and there. I generally shake the bottle and take the lid off and just dip the brush into the lid, it shouldn't take much and if it seems too thick don't worry it'll shrink. The two marines I did over the summer for you were primed with gesso.

Gesso comes in white, gray,black and clear. I don't think I'd go with heavy spraying and transferring it with a brush. If you don't want to go with gesso Reaper and Vallejo have brush on primer but I'd still recommend gesso over them.
http://adventurein15mm.blogspot.com/


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MagickalMemories ( 832 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by MagickalMemories »

Definitely don't do the "spray & brush" thing. Spray paints have something in them that makes them dry quicker. You'll be frustrated. Also, I've tried it a couple times and ruined the rbush every time.

Gesso will work for you. Probably go with the gray. You can use a wider brush, for faster coverage.
You may need a couple coats.

Good luck. Take some before, during & after pictures for a walk through for us!


Eric
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Give me a sense of humor Lord. Give me the grace to see a joke.
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I think what this situation needs is some imagination.

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Norseman ( 374 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by Norseman »

Has anyone ever tried striping this Geso?

I buy a lot of used pewter and strip it and repaint.

I generally give my pewters a bath in a industrial paint thinner. It is an oil based solvent. It works well and usually completely softens the paint to a point where a tooth brush easily removes off the paint. However there is a paint or primer that i run into that turns into a buttery slime that is near impossible to remove from the model. It just moves around the model and deposits in the crevices. I have found that soaping a mini up as I scrub is the best way to get rid of it, as the soap does not allow the paint to re-adhere to the mini, but still is not perfect. I am wondering if this is this Geso? Does it come in different colors?
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imp522 ( 730 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by imp522 »

Norseman wrote:Has anyone ever tried striping this Geso?

I buy a lot of used pewter and strip it and repaint.

I generally give my pewters a bath in a industrial paint thinner. It is an oil based solvent. It works well and usually completely softens the paint to a point where a tooth brush easily removes off the paint. However there is a paint or primer that i run into that turns into a buttery slime that is near impossible to remove from the model. It just moves around the model and deposits in the crevices. I have found that soaping a mini up as I scrub is the best way to get rid of it, as the soap does not allow the paint to re-adhere to the mini, but still is not perfect. I am wondering if this is this Geso? Does it come in different colors?
It comes in Black, White, Grey and Clear.

I've stripped mins that were primed with gesso and have not run into that problem from Gesso. I have run into it from primer every once in a while but no idea what causes it.
http://adventurein15mm.blogspot.com/


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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by Norseman »

I have had it happen with a red paint and a brown paint so I am guessing it is not Geso.

My thoughts on it was that it is a type of spray primer. I am thinking lacquer. I am surprised my stripper doesn't kill it. It kills everything else but this one type of paint. Conversely a bath of simple green can usually remove most of it after I have scrubbed it with soap. I am guessing it is some sort of grease based paint.
MagickalMemories ( 832 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by MagickalMemories »

Yeah. I'd wager against it being Gesso, too. Gesso isn't resilient enough for that.

Eric
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I think what this situation needs is some imagination.

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porkuslime ( 3094 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by porkuslime »

OK.. so I had a chance to swing by Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics.. both places had Gesso.. but that is not the Name of the brand, it is a type of paint.. so, gesso, instead of Gesso? Anyhow, it is MUCH more pricy than I had envisioned.. $22 for a pint? That ranks up there with GW Paints in price (no, not really, but, damn!). Since I am only wanting to do one vehicle, picking up that much seems counterproductive.. and they had white, and blue, and clear.. no black or gray (sold out).

Neither place thought that it came in lesser quantities, either. I have a local art store I may need to go and hit them up to see what quantity they had.
2+2=5 for sufficiently large values of 2.

If you don't have your Location listed in your User Control Panel, why not take a second and update it? It will let your trading partners know where you are from the beginning.

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Folks I am awaiting a ref from.. Zack

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astrosmash ( 140 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by astrosmash »

Dick Blick sells a huge 16oz bottle of Bob Ross Gesso for under 10 bucks...
Amazon has it for even cheaper but maybe your local art store has it at a better price than the hobby stores, they probably sell a lot more of it.
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astrosmash ( 140 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by astrosmash »

Porkuslime- if you're ever in Pittsburgh you are welcome to the glob of gesso that you need to finish that mini. :-D
I won't even charge you for the corking fee.
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porkuslime ( 3094 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by porkuslime »

Other than the price of gas being insane.. sounds like a plan!
2+2=5 for sufficiently large values of 2.

If you don't have your Location listed in your User Control Panel, why not take a second and update it? It will let your trading partners know where you are from the beginning.

I use the Unofficial Porkuslime Trading Guidelines - if you have way less refs.. you ship first.

Folks I am awaiting a ref from.. Zack

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http://www.40korigins.com - Bringing 40k events to the Origins Game Fair!
MagickalMemories ( 832 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by MagickalMemories »

The gesso I had was a relatively small bottle and wasn't overly expensive. Just a couple bucks.

What?
What's that you ask?

Well, yeah. As a matter of fact, it WAS more than 15 years ago. What's your point? LOL


Eric
Lower rating? You ship first.

Give me a sense of humor Lord. Give me the grace to see a joke.
To get some humor out of life and pass it on to other folk.


I think what this situation needs is some imagination.

"...I'm a nerd, and I'm here tonight to stand up for the rights of other nerds.” – Gilbert Lowell

Want my help with a BTR or backout? All messages sent/posted should be in CHRONOLOGICAL order. Otherwise, I just won't read it.
Ironhide ( 92 )
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Re: Gesso as primer?

Post by Ironhide »

You need Gesso? Look no further:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount- ... -gesso.htm

Liquitex Gesso only $4.28 for a 16oz bottle.
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