Citadel Grey Seer Spray: Prime Miniatures for Contrast Paints
By Over the Brick | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use Citadel Grey Seer Spray Paint to prime miniatures for Contrast Paints. Step-by-step guide with common mistakes to avoid.
Quick answer
Use Citadel Grey Seer Spray Paint to create a smooth, matt undercoat that helps Contrast Paints adhere evenly and pop on your miniatures.
Why Grey Seer Spray works for Contrast Paints
Citadel Grey Seer Spray is formulated specifically as a basecoat for Contrast Paints. Its smooth matt finish provides an ideal surface for the thinner, translucent Contrast Paints to go on without pooling or beading up.
The grey color is neutral enough to work with both warm and cool color schemes, and it won't distort the final hue of your Contrast Paints the way a white or black primer might.
When to choose this spray over other primers
Grey Seer Spray is best when you want a balanced, neutral base that won't fight with your paint colors. If you're painting bright or pastel Contrast Paints, grey gives you a mid-tone start that helps those colors look vibrant without being too stark.
However, if you need a pure white or black base for specific effects (like zenithal highlighting or deep shading), you might want to use a dedicated white or black primer instead.
How to prime miniatures with Grey Seer Spray
- Prepare your workspace and miniatures: Work in a well-ventilated area. Clean your miniatures with soapy water to remove mold release agents, then let them dry completely. Attach them to a painting handle or stick with poster putty. Skipping the cleaning step can cause the spray to flake off later.
- Shake the can thoroughly: Shake the Citadel Grey Seer Spray can for at least 2 minutes after you hear the mixing ball rattle. The new red nozzle design helps with even delivery, but the paint still needs full mixing. Insufficient shaking leads to a grainy or uneven coat.
- Apply light, even coats from 20-30 cm: Hold the can 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) from the miniature. Spray in short, sweeping passes, starting off the model and ending off it. Apply one thin coat, let it dry for 5-10 minutes, then apply a second thin coat if needed. Heavy coats will fill in fine details and cause drips. Multiple thin coats are safer.
- Let the primer cure fully before painting: Wait at least 24 hours for the spray to cure completely before applying Contrast Paints. The paint needs time to harden and bond with the plastic. Rushing this step can cause the Contrast Paints to reactivate the primer. Painting too soon can cause the primer to lift or create a tacky surface.
Product details
- Citadel - Grey Seer Spray Paint: Makes undercoating and basing your models simple. Provides the perfect basecoat for Contrast paints. Smooth matt finish. 400ml (14.1 Oz) can with a new red spray nozzle. The smooth matt finish ensures Contrast Paints grip the surface without pooling, and the larger 400ml can covers multiple miniatures in one session.
Citadel - Grey Seer Spray Paint
