Hello everyone!

I am new to model kit. Last several days, I practiced spraying Tamiya and Mr. Hobby, their acrylic and lacquer paints. I have good result with solid colors, but for clear colors, only Mr. Hobby super clear meets my expectation.

I just read some tutorial about differences between 3 paint types, water/alcohol, enamel, and lacquer and learned that the order should be lacquer first, then enamel and last is water/alcohol based (hottest to less). This way I will not ruin the layer underneath.

So, my question is if I use lacquer clear paints for coating between layers such priming, panel lining, detailing, weathering, will it actually ruin the paint underneath? Or there are tip and trick to avoid that from happening? For priming, I can use lacquer, but weathering and hand brush detail, which acrylic paints are for, is it ok?

I mainly use flat top coat and do not want to use XF-86 and the like as I could not get consistent result with it. Sometimes the result is perfect, sometimes it was frosty. I test with different psi (12 to even 25), stir it with stick for minute, different distance (4 to even 8 inches), ratios (1:2 to 1:4, paint to thinner) using styrene sheets. The result is still a hit or miss. So fear of spraying it on real pieces and ruining them :D

Thank you for long writing.

Yea idk what to do so just gimme your guys opinion

So the last few times I have visited my grandfather we have built models and I really enjoy it. He has made some questionable choices for his kit of choice not knowing any better. ( most recent was a meng merkava 3d. ) He hasn't finished it, progress and slow and frustration sets in quickly. Just to many small parts, confusing assembly, and some fitment issues.

I'm looking for kit recommendations, that

don't have to many very small parts,

limited number of decals,

and a good and easy fit.

Can be done in 2 or 3 days

He particularly likes WW2-Vietnam era US.

The big tiger is my Tamiya 1/35 Early Tiger I and on the left is just a mini 1/35 (?) Tiger I im making for my gf birthday. Both is not fully assembled but is ready for painting, the mini tiger has a coat a primer on tho. Probaby gonna paint the mini tiger in pink and the big tiger in Panzer Grey

I'm new to dioramas and don't want to spend much money (or any if I can avoid it) on an applicator. I saw the puffer bottles and my immediate thought was that it looked almost identical to a baby powder bottle? Would this work? Do the holes have to be a particular size?

Build made with realistic hull. Photo in sunlight.