Thanks everyone. Yes, I guess I do set my expectations way too high for my skill level... =\ Another problem is that I can't get paint whenever I need it (too young to order off the internet). I wish we had a hobby shop around here....
EDIT-David, I've been looking into an airbrush. I was going to get a cheap $15 one from Harbor Freight and get a trap for our air compressor that's already set up. I put the Tamiya McLaren M8A on my Christmas list, I figured it was time to give Tamiya a go.
EDIT #2-One of the things that boggles me is people building very fast and still doing a great job while they're at it. Someone like Tyrone, for example.