3D Printing Perfectionism Hinders Terrain Primer Innovation

Many hobbyists fall into the "perfectionist trap" when searching for the ultimate primer that will magically elevate their 3D printed models. The quest for the perfect product often leads to endless scrolling through forums, watching review videos, and comparing product specifications - all while spending both money and time trying to alleviate the anxiety of making the "right" choice.

This dilemma becomes particularly acute when printing terrain pieces for tabletop wargaming. As 3D printers churn out landscape after landscape, one question looms large: what primer truly represents the "gold standard" for 3D printed terrain?

Putting Primers to the Test

To settle this debate scientifically, I conducted a controlled experiment using five identical copies of a landing pad model from the Warlayer series, printed on a Lulzbot Taz Workhorse. The models were printed in bright yellow PLA with intentionally preserved imperfections to better evaluate each primer's ability to conceal layer lines and surface flaws.

The test compared four popular primer options:

• Duplicolor Filler Primer Grey: Renowned for its high filling properties
• Badger Stynlrez Black: A favorite among miniature painters
• Krylon Colormaxx Black: The most convenient spray-can option
• Badger 3D Prime: A new two-step system specifically designed for 3D prints

Each model received the same standardized painting process after priming: a base coat of Minitaire Raven Black, followed by highlights, Concrete Grey drybrushing, shadow application, detail work, and final matte varnish. The evaluation criteria included ease of application, coverage, durability, layer line concealment, and detail preservation.

Surprising Results

The findings revealed an unexpected truth: for tabletop gaming terrain, primer selection matters far less than most hobbyists assume.

• Duplicolor Filler Primer: While excellent at hiding layer lines, its thick consistency and complicated application process make it impractical for efficiency-focused painters.
• Badger Stynlrez: Emerged as the top performer with superior adhesion and detail preservation, making it the ideal choice for airbrush users.
• Krylon Spray Paint: Delivered adequate results with slightly less precision than airbrush primers, but remains a viable time-saving option for large terrain pieces.
• Badger 3D Prime: The specialized two-step system showed no significant advantages over traditional primers while introducing unnecessary complexity.

The Bottom Line

If you already have a primer system that works for you, there's no need to purchase specialized "3D printing" primers. The test proved that print quality, layer height settings, and subsequent painting techniques have far greater impact on final results than primer selection. At typical viewing distances, differences between primers become virtually indistinguishable.

Rather than obsessing over primer choices, hobbyists would benefit more from focusing on terrain layout and painting techniques. The best primer, it turns out, is simply the one you're already comfortable using.