Air Brush Question

[Hawk]

I picked up an air brush to try to improve on my painting of projects,  one question as I do test runs on scrap, do you prime before painting?.

I'm using craft acrylics and thst thought occurred to me as I practice. 

Thanks,

Chris

[Jim McDonald]

The last time I used primer, I did not get the primer coat knocked down sufficiently and the black gloss really showed the imperfections.

After I recut the pieces, I gave the wood a light touch of 220 grit, blew the dust away and laid down a couple of thin coats of the gloss. Not exactly a mirror finish, but pretty stinkin' good for an old guy with rattle cans.

[BadBob]

I don't usually use a primer. However, I think some colors require a white base. For this, I use paint or a shellac-based primer.

[kmmcrafts]

I don't prime wood products typically unless there is a drastic color change in the woods grain or a imperfection that needs some "fill and sand" type primer to smooth the imperfection out or I use primer to get a super smooth surface. I used to use a shellac or sometimes a clear to help in not having to use so much paint as the first coat usually just soaks into the wood.. however for the most part.. the shellac or clear is just as expensive as any of the main colors so unless I'm really low on the prefered color I just use the paint.. because it's not costing any more or less in most cases. 

Most people aren't using pearl type auto paints on wood but if you were to use these the primer would be a must for color consistency. There may be some craft paints like this too but I think the majority of them cover well enough without having to use a primer.  

 

[BadBob]

On 7/11/2025 at 9:52 AM, kmmcrafts said:

There may be some craft paints like this too but I think the majority of them cover well enough without having to use a primer.  

The craft paints I use that require primer are yellow and orange. It cuts the number of coats of paint needed in half. White primer makes the color brighter. 

[crupiea]

I dont prime. I just cheapo acrylics thinned with water. I just do a number of layers. nice part is it dries pretty fast so can do multiple layers in a short period of time.