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Guide · Sprays & Undercoats

Citadel Sprays & Undercoats: A Friendly Beginner's Guide

Choose the right colour, spray like a pro and seal your finished models with confidence.

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Chaos Black, the classic dark undercoat spray.

An undercoat is the quiet hero of every painted miniature. It takes a bare plastic or resin model and gives it a nice, even surface for paint to stick to, so every colour you add afterwards goes on smoother. The quickest way to do it is with a spray can, and it is honestly one of the most satisfying steps in the whole hobby.

This guide covers what sprays do, how to choose the right colour, how to spray well, and how to protect your finished model with varnish.

What does a spray undercoat actually do?

A spray undercoat does three lovely things. It covers the whole model quickly, including awkward nooks that a brush would struggle to reach. It gives your paints a surface to grip, so they go on more evenly. And it sets the tone for the final look, because the colour underneath affects how your paints appear on top.

Choosing your undercoat colour

Black: moody and dramatic

A black undercoat makes colours look deeper and richer, and it hides shadows naturally. It is a great partner for metals, dark armour and gritty, atmospheric schemes.

White: bright and punchy

White is the choice for vivid, clean colours. Yellows, bright reds and pastel shades all glow over a white undercoat. It is also a traditional partner for Contrast paints.

Light and mid-tone sprays: the friendly in-betweens

Grey, bone and other light tones sit between black and white. They give a gentler starting point, which suits many natural colour schemes and helps you see the details of a model as you paint.

Colour sprays: a head start

Some sprays are coloured, such as red, blue or green. If your whole army shares a main colour, spraying it on can save you a big chunk of painting time, and you can still add detail afterwards.

Contrast undercoats: Wraithbone and Grey Seer

Contrast paints like to sit over a light surface, and there are sprays made especially for that. Wraithbone gives a warm, bone-coloured base, while Grey Seer gives a cooler pale grey. Both leave you ready to brush on Contrast paints straight away. Curious how that works? Read our beginner guide to Contrast paints.

Basic spraying technique

Finishing with varnish

Once your model is fully painted, a spray varnish helps protect all that hard work from scratches and handling wear, which is especially handy for models that will be played with on the tabletop. Use the same careful technique, with light coats from a sensible distance, and your model will be ready for battle.

Sprays to explore

Here are some of the sprays and undercoats you might like. Tap a card for the full page, or browse the whole Citadel Sprays collection.

White Scar Spray A bright white undercoat that makes light and vivid colours really sing. View this paint	Contrast Undercoat Wraith Bone Spray A warm bone-coloured undercoat spray that gives Contrast paints a friendly glow. View this paint
Contrast Spray Grey Seer A pale grey spray undercoat made to sit under Contrast paints. View this paint	Mephiston Red Spray A colour spray that gives red armies a head start in one pass. View this paint
Macragge Blue Spray Primer A blue spray primer for armies that live in the cooler end of the palette. View this paint	Mechanicus Standard Grey Spray A mid-grey spray that suits stone, metal and many muted colour schemes. View this paint
Death Guard Green Spray Primer A murky green spray primer, perfect for plague-ridden armies and swampy scenery. View this paint	Munitorum Varnish Spray A protective varnish spray to seal a finished model. View this paint

Quick answers (FAQ)

Do I need to undercoat miniatures?

It is strongly recommended. An undercoat gives paint something to grip and helps colours go on evenly, which makes painting easier and the results better.

What colour undercoat should I choose?

Black suits dark, moody schemes and metals, while white suits bright, vivid colours. Light grey and bone tones are friendly in-betweens, and coloured sprays save time on armies with one main colour.

What are Wraithbone and Grey Seer?

They are light undercoat sprays made to go under Contrast paints. Wraithbone is a warm bone colour and Grey Seer is a cool pale grey.

How far should I hold the spray can?

A good general guide is about a forearm's length from the model. Use short, light passes instead of one heavy coat.

What weather is best for spraying?

Mild, dry days are best. Very cold, hot or humid conditions can give a cloudy or rough finish.

Should I varnish my finished miniatures?

A varnish spray is a great final step, as it helps protect the paintwork from wear and handling.

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Time to prime!

Choose your undercoat, pick your paints and get painting.