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Thanks all! I take the point that there are some extenuating circumstances - I think I was just getting incredibly frustrated this morning as every single vendor I went to on the face of it had huge paint catalogues with something like 180 different Humbrol paints - but always with 2 missing from my list! I also take the point about not needing specifics - I guess at this stage I'm just trying to get the end result as close as possible to what it's officially supposed to be, but yes, I suppose I don't have to have the exactly correct shade of grey, particularly when my own build isn't exactly perfect! For reference I'm building an Su-27. Once it's done I might share some photos in case everyone needs a chuckle....

This will probably amuse everyone...but I'm really at my wits' end. Is there something I just don't get about how to get the right paints? I am a very entry-level modeller and literally, all I want to do is finish my fairly simple Airfix kit and follow the instructions. There's a paint chart at the back and I'd rather just get the exact Humbrol paints they tell you, rather than have to go through various paint charts to see what equivalents there are in other brands etc. I just want 7 Humbrol paints as either all acyrlic, or all enamel - 22, 53, 112, 127, 144, 147 and 171. I have probably looked at around 20 different online retailers, including Humbrol direct, and every single one seems to have at least 2 of the paints missing, and it's never the same two, or they've got enamel versions for a couple and acrylic for the rest, or vice versa. Even Amazon, which I figured would be pretty good at stock, comes up a blank (and of course charges double the going rate anyway). Given everywhere charges at least as much as another 2 pots of paint again for delivery, I'd really like to be able to just order from one place. As I said, I'm entry-level. Is it just totally normal for model stores to have these stocking issues?

Thanks guys, really appreciate your help. I was actually thinking about testing with a bit of sprue on the varnish coat so I'll take a view when I see the result. Hopefully as I've properly washed the kit, adhesion will be less of an issue anyway. Also, I've realised I've used the wrong terminology here - when I said 'weathering', I was really thinking 'panel lines'. What's the right technique - is it acrylic clear coat -> enamel wash -> clean-up -> decals -> final acrylic clear coat? Also....how do I use the washes for panels - is it a case of getting the very smallest brush and using it to gently touch each groove, and then let it level out and spread naturally? Or am I using the brush to effectively 'wipe' all over the model? Thanks again in advance...I've a feeling in a week or so I might be posting a picture that'll get a laugh....

Ok, firstly apologies for asking what are probably some very, very basic questions...but everyone is new at this once! I've recently just finished my first model as a fully-grown adult and it's fair to say the result was disappointing. It was an Airfix starter kit where I didn't really stir the acrylic paint properly and generally did an awful job of it. I then really made things worse by spraying on some Humbrol acrylic clear gloss which then crazed the paint. I'm now going in for round 2 and I'd really appreciate everyone's help on how to not screw things up quite as much. Ok, so to begin, I HAVE actually given the parts a wash first this time around. For this build, I'll be using Humbrol acrylics (new ones, not the ones that came with the starter kit) - I know that's probably not the best of the best but it's what I'm comfortable with for now. I've also got some spray acrylic plastic primer as I have been trying to read up on this. Question 1: When's the best time to use the primer? Should I: a)Spray everything while it's all on the sprues b)Spray everything when it's all put together c)Spray the fiddly bits (inside the cockpit, undercarriage etc.) first, with a view to painting them first and then assembling d)Something else entirely Question 2: I'll be painting with brushes. Do I need to thin the acrylic paint first? Question 3: I want to avoid paint crazing. Is it safe to use acrylic clear gloss on acrylic paint, and if so, what might I have done wrong the first time? I did spray the gloss directly onto the model and possibly sprayed more than required, but I'm also wondering if my lack of washing, priming, stirring and thinning might have played a part. Question 4: because I'm overly ambitious, I've also bought some Humbrol enamel wash because I've read that you can seal in the acrylic with the varnish, then use the enamel wash to add weathering detail, use enamel thinners for clean-up without affecting the underlying acrylic paint, and then finally seal in with the acrylic varnish. Is this correct, and if not...what's the right approach? Question 5: what's the right technique to use a wash to add weathering...and do I do it before or after adding decals? Sorry for what probably seem like really basic and stupid questions - thanks in advance for anyone who's happy to help.