Hi,
I am interested in Poland 1939, on a 1/72 scale with a view to wargaming. I am looking for some advice on Primers and Filters for:
1: Green grey (Vallejo 886) for artillery.
2: Khaki brown (Vallejo 921) for uniform.
3: Dark sand (V 847), reflective green (V 890) and flat earth
(V 983)for vehicle camouflage.
4: German field grey (V 830) and light grey (Ammo F-512) for
uniforms
5: German gray (V 995) and tank grey (Revell 361.78) for military
vehicles.
I have been recommended black or grey. Also, would it make any difference if I used different product makes, for example, Tamiya Surface Primer Spray with Vallejo acrylic paints
Thank you for any help
John B

Hi John,

Tamiya primer - Vallejo acrylic base coat - enamel washes would work perfectly well.

For primer colour : whatever colour you like. I prefer to use lighter coulours, grey to almost white as a primer. A light primer will make look your basecoat look more vibrant imo.

I'm not quite sure what you're question concerning the filters is? Which colour to use? And do you mean filters or washes?

The colour for filters is mainly a question of experimenting and taste. It's perfectly possible to use consecutive layers in different colours as well. On more earth-toned colours orange works well. On darker grey I like blue. But no restrictions here, set your imagination loose!

Hi John,

These days my go-to primer for everything is a good old rattle can of Halfords grey auto primer! It's a good neutral colour that is easily covered by lighter colours, which is especially an issue with painting faces or white/beige clothing. It works well with Vallejo, but be aware that Vallejo paints are a bit soft and easily rub off if handled - they need a robust clear coat to seal them in.

For tanks I usually spray Tamiya acrylics over the primer, and I pre-shade with black to get into all the nooks and crannies that might get missed by the main colour coat. (Better these are "dark" shadows than bright grey spots shouting "look at me!"...). I use Vallejo for detail painting, seal the lot with Micro-gloss, add decals, another coat of gloss, weathering, then a coat of either Micro-flat or Tamiya XF86 Clear Flat sprayed on sparingly to avoid frosting from too heavy a coat.

Can't help on the filters - I mix my own from paints and water, depending on the base colour and intended effect. It all depends on the colour-shift you want to create. Filters over a matte surface tint the whole colour, while over a gloss surface they retreat into corners to give a wash effect that highlights joints, bolts, panel lines etc. The Games Workshop range of Shades is very useful.

I've been using Mig's one shot which is Badger Stynylrez. Don't need to thin it, self leveling great coverage.

Hi Flore,

Thanks for the advice

John B

Hi

Thought my previous email would go to all, which I don't think it has. So just to thank everybody for their advice on Primers and Filters.

John B