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Treehugger
I suspect there are some typical issues. Like, handling superglue without making a mess, or ending up with other issues, like gluing on photo etch too good so you can't get them off, instead best add minimal amount to make it stick, and then if happy, maybe add some more afterwards.

I am exploring using UV glue that goes hard only after long time, or, by using (potentially hazardous without protective goggles) a small UV flashlight to make the glue go hard when you want it to, and so not quickly like with basic cyanoacrylate. I don't like the consistency of this glue though, it sort of reminds me of sticky epoxy glue, even though iirc it is runny and not gel like.

Getting a smooth finish I guess is also tricky, with every tiny scratch showing through a layer of airbrushed paint. Vallejo putty is nice to use, simple and fairly non-toxic afaik, easily removed with a sharp blade, and then gently go over with metal file and sanding stick or a small piece of sanding sponge.

A recent halleluja moment was using a thinner mix for Vallejo paints, really helps on tip dry issues. I also finally learned to start using my 0.5 airbrush (more paint flow), and not keep airbrushing larger models with my 0.35 airbrush, that hardly puts out paint.

I also seem to have finally learned to put on a nice smooth and shiny layer of gloss coat, using Vallejo's gloss varnish (old type?) together with this thinner mix containing more retarder in it.

I guess there is also an issue of composition, making sure one uses the correct colors, and add enough details, like rigging on ships, so that isn't missing.

I've bought some Abteilung oil tubes, for weathering, but haven't started using this, afraid of making mistakes.

Other mistakes, might be something simple as forgetting things, doing what you had planned in your head, in the wrong order, the week after. Having too much fun putting things together, forgetting that you intended to do some extra stuff, or even, forgetting to glue on this one part that was supposed to go on the inside model early on.

Kesa Tiho
Oh wow, thanks

Treehugger
What are your issues though?

Kesa Tiho
Mainly just with glue and overusing it

Treehugger
Well, hopefully you are not using tube glue. Everyone now is using Tamiya's Extra Thin cement I would think. And that liquid glue is supposed to be applied on the OUTSIDE of the seams, not inside like in the old days with gooey tube glue.

Btw Tamiya's big bottle of airbrush cleaner liquid (250ml), is apparently the same chemical as their Extra Thin liquid glue, which should cut down cost by a lot. 🙂

Btw, I noticed yesterday someone on youtube recommended mixing Tamiya's acrylic X-20A thinner with Vallejo paints, as it was claimed the Tamiya stuff contained a retarder agent in it. Haven't tried it myself yet.

Kesa Tiho
Well yeah im not using tube glue, even though i have extra thin cement i prefer Tamiya's normal cement. And sadly i dont have an airbrush nor the money to buy one

Treehugger
I think multiple thin layers of paint with a flat brush might the way to go, but I never got around to try that out myself. Btw, I found that putting on a primer color, might as well be good enough, not requiring additional color on top. Say, NATO green primer, if NATO green is what you wanted anyway.

A layer of paint can probably be safely sanded with some sanding sponge, asssuming you don't hit any edge of details where the paint will be surely stripped. And then, adding a varnish on top, hides any roughness after going over the painted surface with some small piece of sanding sponge to remove uneven bits of paint. This ofc, only works if you consistently sand each layer from the bottom, else the bottom layer might have tops/hills that shine through, if you ONLY sand the top layers of paint.

Martin Oostrom
And Youtube Video

Martin Oostrom
Augie Paint by brush. Better than a few folks with airbrushes. All in the technique

gorby
We all need to start somewhere Kesa, at the start of any hobby, the quality of the finish isn't the goal, it's enjoying yourself. No photos of my early models exist as I didn't have a camera when I was your age, I guarantee they looked crap – too much glue, no filler, all the decals silvered and many of them didn't even get painted….but I loved it.
When I returned to the hobby nine years ago after a 37 year break I started simply – simple kits with no weathering, no washes, no photo etch and no added details. The skills I have now have grown over the years because I wanted too try new things. If my aim was to become as good as some of the Scalemates master modellers I see every day, I'd give up now because that's never going to happen. A hobby should be about enjoyment, if you put pressure on yourself to achieve perfection you're just going to end up frustrated and giving up the modelling. Take your time to improve and enjoy the journey.
I still overuse glue. I'm old-school so I usually prefer Revell Contacta and occasionally Tamiya Thin. If you find your having problems using too much, try applying the glue with a cocktail stick.
As Martin mentioned, it's entirely possible to get good results painting with a brush. Augie's builds look like they've been airbrushed, but I bet that hasn't always been the case. No doubt she started by daubing the paint on like the rest of us and gradually improved over time. There are many type of brush and each has their own job, if you use the wrong one it won't help. Don't rush to get an airbrush until you are sure modelling is going to be something you will be doing for a few years.
I'll let you into a secret. I like modelling 1/72 vehicles because I'm crap at, and don't like weathering and my poor skills in that area are less noticeable on 1/72 models than they would be on 1/35. I don't learn to weather better because my enjoyment is building and adding details, not painting and particularly not weathering. By that stage I'm usually thinking about the next build and don't want to waste time weathering.
Also, don't forget that every aircraft or vehicle you build was new at the start of it's life and it's perfectly okay of you want to build it as factory-finish. Many people do and that doesn't mean their models are any worse than a model of a Panzer which has been though every puddle on the Eastern front.
Have fun. 🙂

Tibor Szilvai
Superb! 👍

Neuling
Yes! 👍👍

Arif Saeed
Very nice 👌

Harald Besold
Great and very clean Phantom.

Spanjaard
Phantastic. what colors did you use?

Ekki
Brilliant result!

Vincent
This scheme looks amazing. Great result!!!

Alain Courouge
Great result. Bravo. I like it ! Which colors did you use ?

dawei xu
Color:
CS665
Packaging:
Box (3x 10ml)
Range:
Mr.COLOR
C374-C375-C376

scalemates
here you go scalemates.com/press/magazine.php?id=408

Thomas S.
Update 20/08/2024:
Paintjob in progress. Body primered with Tamiya TS-101. Body painted with Tamiya Racing Blue TS-51, interior with Wooden Deck Tan TS-68. Vinyl top trims, seams and details made with Evergreen strips. Vinyl top painted in black. 1K hardware store clear applied on top of everything. Vinyl top then painted in matt clear varnish for the right look.