Last Updated on February 17, 2022 by OoS

Warhammer miniatures are full of amazing colors for you to spray on. But to provide the highest quality, you need a good primer. That is why we compiled the best primer for Warhammer no matter which faction you are painting on. For the best choice, pick Citadel Model Primer among our top 3. Read below for more details.

Best Primer for Warhammer: Citadel Model Primer

Citadel Model Primer is the most used spray among Warhammer hobbyists. Whether you are a 40K, Fantasy or Age of Sigmar player, Citadel Model Primer is a great all-around primer to use on your miniatures. It dries up fast and is great for both plastic and metal miniatures. The primer color we recommend is Chaos Black. White is fine too but it tends to be powdery and lumpy. If supplies are available, you need to get this as soon as you can since a lot of people buy it. It does sell like hotcakes because of how effective it is.

Games Workshop Citadel Colour - Chaos Black Primer / Undercoat Spray

Pro

  • Very positive by popular opinion
  • Great quality at 25C
  • Also good for metal miniatures

Con

  • Expensive
  • Limited supply
  • White color is lumpy and powdery

Best Value Primer for Warhammer: Vallejo Surface Primer

Vallejo Grey Primer Acrylic Polyurethane, 200ml
  • Surface Primer can be cleaned easily using water
  • It is recommended to avoid mixing Surface Primer with alcohol and/or solvents Apply with airbrush or brush
  • Packaging: In bottle sizes of 17, 60 and 200 ml

If you prefer a cheaper alternative, the Vallejo Surface Primer is a great choice. Not only is it good for all-around primer on both plastic and metal surfaces, but it is also a good choice if you want to paint the miniature using a brush. Spraying is easy too as long as you know how distant you should be before pressing the button. Another reason why so many people choose Vallejo. Whether you are a beginner or you already have enough skills in spraying miniatures, Vallejo is a solid choice.

Vallejo Grey Primer Acrylic Polyurethane, 200ml

Pro

  • Great coating
  • Dries fast
  • Good price

Con

  • Quite thick
  • Creates bubbles
  • Limited supply

Best Premium Primer for Warhammer: Tamiya Surface Primer Spray

Tamiya Gray Fine Surface Primer L, 180ml Spray Can
  • Light Gray Fine Surface Primer (L)
  • 180ml Spray Can
  • Ideal for preparing ABS and Styrene plastic for paint
  • May also be used on Metal Parts
  • Part Number 87064

Tamiya Surface Primer Spray is one of the earliest primer sprays ever made (originally for car models) but many hobbyists have realized its potential on miniatures. If you wish to buy Tamiya Primer, buy the white color (although the gray version is good too). The white primer is best for when your models need bright colored paints. The only gripe we have here is that it needs a very large space for you to spray. It has a large radius and you wouldn’t want to accidentally spray on other things besides your miniature. It also has one of the finest final undercoat ever, making paints very long-lasting.

Tamiya Gray Fine Surface Primer L, 180ml Spray Can

Pro

  • Trusted brand
  • High-quality final undercoat
  • Convenient to bring

Con

  • Expensive
  • Bubbles up
  • Requires a large space to spray on

Alternative D&D Sceneries

Sale
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint, 8.45-oz tube, Neutral Gray Value 5
  • Thick, creamy with satin finish; Good pigment load
  • Retains peaks and brush strokes; Ideal for learning color theory and color mixing
  • Includes 8.5-oz / 250ml tube of acrylic paint
  • Intermixable with Liquitex Professional Acrylic Paint Colors and Mediums.
  • Conforms to ASTM D4236; Safe for educational use

Krylon K05131507 ColorMaster Paint + Primer, Ultra Flat Primer, White, 12 oz.
  • Dries in 10 minutes
  • Increases paint adhesion
  • Ensures true paint color is achieved
  • Smooths uneven surfaces

What I Would Buy

I would buy the Citadel Primer among the 3 because of how reliable it is on Warhammer miniatures. But if it is out of stock or if it is too expensive for you, we highly suggest two other primers: Vallejo Primer Spray and Tamiya Surface Primer Spray. Vallejo is a cheaper alternative while Tamiya is a great all-arounder.

FAQs

Do you need primer for Warhammer?

Yes you do, especially if you want to paint the miniatures yourself.

What is the best primer for miniatures?

The best primer for miniatures are the ones listed in this article, specifically the Citadel Primer, Vallejo Primer and Tamiya Primer.

How do I prime my Warhammer model?

You will need a huge space for you to spray. Place newspapers around places you dont want to have paint on.

How long does primer take to dry miniatures?

If it is high-quality, it should only take around 15 to 45 minutes to dry up. Low quality can take at least an hour.

What is the best primer for painting plastic?

As long as the primer says it is good for plastic and metal, you should be alright with it.