Colour Primer Dragon Red: When and How to Use It
By The Army Painter: all you need for miniature painting | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Tips & Care
Learn when to use Colour Primer Dragon Red as your basecoat, how to apply it for smooth coverage, and how to fix common issues like clogging or patchy results.
Quick Answer
Use Colour Primer Dragon Red when you want a deep red basecoat that saves painting time on red-armored models. Apply in short, even passes from about 15–20 cm away for smooth, streak-free coverage.
Why Choose a Red Primer?
Priming your miniature in the base color is a classic time-saver: it lays down the dominant hue while protecting the plastic or metal. For armies like Blood Angels, Khorne Berzerkers, or Khador, a deep red primer means you can skip several basecoat layers and focus on shading and highlights.
The trade-off is that a colored primer locks you into that color scheme. If you later decide to change the armor color, you'll need to repaint over the red, which can be more work than starting from a neutral gray or black primer.
Common Primer Problems and Their Causes
Spray primers can clog, sputter, or leave a gritty texture. Most issues come from environmental factors or technique: shaking the can too little, spraying in high humidity, or holding the can too close. A clogged nozzle is often the result of dried paint in the tip, which can be prevented by storing the can upside down and giving it a short burst after use.
Patchy coverage usually means the can was moved too slowly or the model was not turned enough. The key is to start spraying off the model and sweep across in one smooth motion, rotating the miniature to hit all sides.
Diagnosis: Fixing Common Dragon Red Primer Issues
- Symptom: The primer sputters, leaves droplets, or clogs the nozzle. Stop spraying immediately if you see sputtering.
- Likely Cause: The can wasn't shaken enough, the nozzle is partially clogged, or the humidity is too high (above 60%). Check the weather and shake the can for at least 2 minutes before use.
- Corrective Action: Clean the nozzle by removing it and soaking in warm water, then shake the can thoroughly. If humidity is high, move to a drier area or wait for a better day. Spray in short bursts, starting off the model and sweeping across. After cleaning, test on a sprue or spare part before spraying your miniature.
- Stop or Choose Another Option: If the primer still clogs after cleaning, or if you need a lighter or brighter red (Dragon Red is very dark), consider a different primer color or a brush-on primer instead. Don't force a spray can that keeps clogging; switch to a brush-on primer to avoid ruining your miniature.
Product Facts
- Colour Primer: Dragon Red: Colour Primer Dragon Red is a very dark and deep red spray, designed as the ultimate basecoat for Blood Angels, Khorne Berzerkers, Khorne Daemons, Dragons, or Warmachine Khador. If you're painting any of these red-themed armies, this primer gives you a perfect starting point that matches the intended color scheme, saving you from applying multiple basecoats.
Colour Primer: Dragon Red
