Cosplay primer: Which primer should I use?
When it comes to coloring and painting our cosplay, we first have to prepare the individual parts well for painting .
But why do I actually need a primer? Can't I apply the paint directly? And which primer should I use?
There are a few things we should definitely keep in mind when applying the primer , but in the end, it's actually not that difficult. Check out our quick overview here!
Why do I need to prime my cosplay?
In most cases, our small works of art are made of a plastic material such as EVA foam. Theoretically, you could apply the paint directly to the structure, but this is not recommended in practice.
The primer ensures that paints like acrylics can be applied more easily and adhere to the surface. It creates a solid base . The overall result looks cleaner and better. And apart from that, the primer offers another small advantage.
If we use a primer with a special base color , we can ideally save ourselves the need for a few coats of acrylic paint. A light primer, for example, will significantly brighten a black or dark gray plastic piece if we're aiming for a lighter final color.
Which primer should I use?
But there are so many primers available online. So, which primer should I use for my cosplay?
There are many methods: Here, too, it never hurts to try out a primer or two. Primers are available in a wide variety of colors and from different manufacturers.
Liquid rubber such as spray film
Some cosplayers use liquid rubber, such as PlastiDip spray film. It's a removable, liquid rubber that sits on top of the plastic as a base. This liquid rubber is available as a brush-on or spray. It's ideal as a base for our cosplay.
The advantage of this type of rubber is that the film covers minor scratches . The rubber also protects and seals the base, ensuring the colors adhere as well as possible.
Which liquid rubber is best? There are two products we'd like to recommend here. These are the classic Plastidip from the USA, which has proven itself over the years, and its German counterpart, GummiDip .
- PlastiDip: Brush-on rubber coating
- PlastiDip: Rubber coating for spraying
- PlastiDip: Rubber coating in a 3-pack
- GummiDip: Liquid rubber for spraying
- GummiDip: Liquid rubber in a pack of 4
Keep in mind that PlastiDip also comes in several colors so you can match them to your final color.
Primer for model making
There are also primers used in model making, such as Warhammer miniature models. These primers can also be used for cosplay. They are usually a mix of paint and primer , designed to reduce the need for additional coats.
Heavy pigments serve as the base, providing excellent surface coverage. These primers are suitable for metals, plastics, or resins.
Which primers are suitable for this? For example, there are primers from The Army Painter , which have been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel . This is the official ecolabel for Scandinavian products. These products comply with a specified environmental impact.
- The Army Painter: Color primer in oak brown
- The Army Painter: Color primer in ash gray
- The Army Painter: Color primer in matt black
- The Army Painter: Color primer in matt white
Primer and colors in one?
All from one manufacturer: There are primer manufacturers that also offer the corresponding paints. This is the case with Vallejo's Surface Primer, for example. The primer was designed to work well with Vallejo paints ; it's very fine, satin-finish, and dries quite quickly.
The interaction between Vallejo's primers and paints works very well in practice. In my tests, the Surface Primer adhered beautifully to all types of plastic, and the colors looked great. For example, I tested it on a Star Wars The Black Series: AT-ST from Hasbro, and it worked wonderfully.
The final images really impressed me and speak volumes. However, keep in mind that such complementary products are also available from other manufacturers, such as The Army Painter .
My conclusion: Primer as a must-have
On average, there are many different ways to prime a cosplay piece. I would base my choice on whether I prefer to spray or paint the colors on .
Do you have a suitable space for spraying with a spray can ? Or do you prefer precise application with a brush ?
Either way, nothing can go wrong after priming with our paints, which can then be applied excellently.
Therefore, the next step is to apply the paints properly. Let your creativity run wild!
I hope you have fun working with the colors. And if we can help you further at CosplayUp.de , please send us a message. We'd love to hear if we can help.
