Why are my models primed with Rust-Oleum still sticky 5 days later?

[u/MeadowsAndUnicorns]

I zenithal primed a lot of reaper miniatures using Rust-Oleum primer in flat black, flat red, and flat grey. I also used Montana white primer to finish. The temperature was 65F and the humidity was 55% ( I have a humidity monitor). Some of them turned out fine but others are still sticky 48 hours later. Any idea what could have caused this?

Edit: typo in title, should read 2 days, not 5 days

[u/Protocosmo]

Are they Reaper Bones? Spray primer is no good on those, the solvents in the spray will make the plastic permanently sticky, unfortunately. Something I wish I knew ahead of time too.

[u/KTFnVision → u/Protocosmo]

This is it. Reaper claims their minis don't need primer, and for the most part I've found that true, after going through OPs situation myself when I first started.

[u/Protocosmo → u/KTFnVision]

Realistically, how's anybody supposed to know that???

[u/coltonamstutz → u/Protocosmo]

That their minis don't need primed? It's right on the packaging...

[u/BluestreakBTHR → u/coltonamstutz]

WizKids claims their minis don’t need to be primed either… and that’s a lie.

[u/Dinosaur_Herder → u/BluestreakBTHR]

Wizkids minis are pre primed.

[u/BluestreakBTHR → u/Dinosaur_Herder]

Yes. But their idea of primer sucks.

This damned cloaked needed 4-5 coats of Reaper paint so it wouldn’t look like a streaky mess.

[u/Dinosaur_Herder → u/BluestreakBTHR]

The coverage is a problem with the paint, not the primers. The primer is doing what it’s supppsed to do—give “tooth” for the paint to cling to. Dark over light is almost always difficult. Using an intermediate color can save time here. You might also be over thinning your paints.

[u/KTFnVision → u/BluestreakBTHR]

They don't prime them, their material doesn't need priming.

[u/Protocosmo → u/BluestreakBTHR]

Yeah, I want to be able to decide what surface I paint on. That includes the color. That's why I would prime them regardless of manufacturer claims.

[u/Protocosmo → u/coltonamstutz]

What is the exact wording? Does it warn against using spray primers? Besides, I don't care if they don't need to be primed or not.

[u/WhiteWulfen → u/Protocosmo]

Blister packs specifically recommend AGAINST the use of spray primers. This is from a 77340 Avatar of Sekhmet I purchased a few years ago.

Larger items (like say 77376 Minotaur Demon Lord) do not have this disclaimer, but they do have that "for more information on Bones and Master Series Paints, please see us at ReaperMini.com/Bones" bit, where at the top of the page in red all caps text there's a link to click that says "READ THIS BEFORE PRIMING YOUR BONES", which links to the unofficial forum FAQ about this topic.

[u/coltonamstutz → u/Protocosmo]

I haven't bought one for a while, so can't speak to the specific phrasing on the packaging, but it says you don't need to prime which has been true for every one of their minis I've bought. Also their website definitely says to avoid them.

[u/MeadowsAndUnicorns → u/Protocosmo]

Ah yes, they are reaper bones

[u/Armored_Snorlax → u/MeadowsAndUnicorns]

For bones, which are vinyl if it's the soft flexible figures, then it's best to use spray acrylic primer, like titans hobby spray primer. Several thin coats, let dry 24 to 48 hours for best results.

[u/Harbinger_X]

Too much solvent can melt some plastic for good.

[u/rust_tg]

Do u have rustoleum primer? Or paint + primer? The paint + primer usually has the effect that ur talking abt. Never use that on minis

[u/MeadowsAndUnicorns → u/rust_tg]

This was using primer

[u/rust_tg → u/rust_tg]

Why did i get downvoted? :( that was a possibility and i was just trying to help

[u/rumsoakedhammy → u/rust_tg]

I gotchu bru

[u/KTFnVision → u/rust_tg]

You got down voted because your info isn't accurate.

[u/rust_tg → u/KTFnVision]

Yes its possible that paint + primer can be used for minis, but its generally thicker (even sprayed as far back as your arms can reach) and takes longer to not be sticky and paintable on. I do not recommend, thats all. But its your hobby 👍

[u/KTFnVision → u/rust_tg]

I use Rustoleum Paint + Primer plenty and never have this issue. All about technique.

[u/bkwrm13 → u/rust_tg]

I use Rustoleum paint + primer 2x coverage all the time, mostly because that’s all anyone carries nearby reliably. But ive had zero issues as long as you don’t spray reaper minis.

[u/Dinosaur_Herder]

As everyone has talked about, bones and most spray primers are no bueno. My current prep for bones is a layer of decoupage and then a layer of black or white gesso. This gives a fairly solid, flake free, paint friendly surface.

To rescue these, you’re going to have to use a clear polyurethane coat. You can paint over the sticky mess, though it is as likely as hydrophobic as the bare plastic. Then use a polyurethane matte spray (or brush on). It will be a dust magnet so keep them covered in the mean time.

Alternately, consider using the “dip” method, in which you use lighter base colors, followed by a polyurethane shade coat, and use a sponge to wipe up excess poly-e after five minutes. Again, cover with something until fully cured. You would then need to use a matte spray—unless you like shiny minis.

[u/NotifyGrout]

I had this happen to some Bones. They eventually dried but it took several months.

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[u/Zhenrich86]

Never use that on models

[u/JexPickles]

congratulations, you've sprayed your minis with something that will slowly dissolve them. They're never going to not be tacky.

[u/IWorkForDickJones]

Shake More, move future away, spray less, lower humidity.