When it comes to painting miniatures, especially those for Warhammer and tabletop wargaming, the foundation you lay is crucial. Recently, I had the chance to put three Colour Forge spray primers to the test: White, Black, and Metallic Silver. To get an even and fair comparison, I sprayed all three primers on the same 3D resin-printed Ork bust. The location and temperature conditions were identical for each application, ensuring consistent results.
Let’s Get Testing
The Ork Bust model, fresh off my Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra, was the perfect candidate to see how these primers performed. From setup to application, I made sure everything was prepared meticulously. What impressed me across the board was the experience of using Colour Forge primers. Each spray can deliver a flawless coat that grips the surface with perfection. Here’s how each colour fared:
The Dark Side
The Black primer had equally impressive results. Black is a go-to colour for many hobbyists because of its ability to deepen shadows and set the tone for darker palettes. The Colour Forge Black spray gave the bust a uniform, matte finish that dried rapidly. It maintained every intricate detail in the Ork’s features, and there were no signs of clumping or overly thick patches. It’s a solid choice for miniatures that will be layered with bold highlights or metallics.
The Light Side
Secondly, the White primer. Achieving a smooth and even coat on any model can be tricky, especially when dealing with light colours that can reveal surface imperfections. However, the Colour Forge White primer applied like a dream, providing full coverage without pooling or obscuring fine details. The crisp base made me confident that any colour scheme would pop, making it ideal for brighter or more vibrant paint jobs.
The Metallic Side?
Saving the most unique for last, I am used to some metallic sprays lacking – They can be hit-and-miss. Sometimes you will get a patchy coverage and sometimes you find you get more metallic in certain areas (even after the can has had a good shake). The Metallic Silver primer took my breath away. It added an unexpected flair to the model, giving the Ork bust a striking metallic sheen. This primer could serve as a base for models that will have plenty of metallic armour or as a fun undercoat for contrast paints. The Silver primer dried just as fast as the other two and adhered smoothly, with a shiny finish that still allowed details to shine through.
Overall Impressions
Colour Forge primers have left me genuinely impressed. The drying time was outstanding, and the models were ready to paint in no time. Each spray left a consistent and professional finish, which is exactly what any miniature hobbyist needs. I couldn’t ask for more from a primer: ease of use, quick drying, and fantastic results.
Not only did these primers work wonders on the Ork bust, but I can already see them becoming essential as I build more terrain. With their smooth application and reliable coverage, Colour Forge sprays will make prepping larger pieces easy and efficient. As I dive deeper into creating detailed wargaming landscapes, having such dependable primers will be a huge advantage. They also have a handy colour conversion chart available so you can easily figure out what colour you need
Final Verdict
The Colour Forge range has secured a place in my hobby toolkit. They get a solid 10 out of 10 for what I need, from prepping models efficiently to laying the perfect foundation for painting. If you’re looking to level up your miniatures and terrain projects with reliable and high-quality primers, give Colour Forge a try. Your models—and your painting experience—will thank you! On top of this, they are much better for value than some of the slightly higher-priced brands.
Colour Forge has a fantastic range of colours available and I’m so impressed with these primers that I can’t wait to test other products from the Colour Forge range. If they deliver the same level of quality as these sprays, my hobby experience is in for a treat. On top of their baseline they also released a Colour Forge Signature Series where they worked with some of the most influential hobbyists in the industry – Including the likes of Peachy Tips. Check out the video at the bottom of this post for more information.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts on these rattle cans if you have them in the comments below!
Tabletop gamer since a young age, Warhammer addict and experienced coffee drinker!