How do I paint with acrylic paint properly with a brush?

[buckrogers]

Hi, I'm painting an AMT 1985 Dodge Daytona.  I got it because it was low priced, and I wanted back in the hobby since I put together stuff when I was a kid.  Back then all I had was Testor's enamel paint (late '70s and '80s).  Now I have acrylic, and I'm using cheapo Apple Barrel from Walmart.  I've read everywhere about people's opinion on paints, love, hate and all that about acrylics, and some of the problems I'm having.

I used a Rust-Oleum dark primer (for plastic).  Works great.  But, long story short, I have to paint part of the engine parts yellow.  The paint is gloopy, gloppy, and absolutely will not cover the primer.  No matter how many coats and how thick I put the paint on, the black primer always shows through, when the acrylic dries.  That and I end up just pushing the paint around.  I know it's black and yellow is lighter, but should it really be that hard?  I haven't thinned the paint for the gloppy thick problems and the paint ridges because I figure thinning would be even less coverage.

First, I don't mind spending some more for better paint if I have to, but I've read other people that claim they have all the good luck with them or some other acrylic.

Thanks for any help.

Edited October 18, 2015 by buckrogers

[GMCMAN52]

I feel your pain, I have no luck with acrylic paint. no matter how many coat I paint the part. I would try a white primer part then paint the yellow. This should cause the yellow to cover better then over Black . The next time I get ready to paint with acrylic I'm going to try and air brush it on.

[buckrogers]

What are you using?  Enamel?

[aurfalien]

Hi,

Read this page and try to adapt the techniques;

https://zerobxu.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/hand-painting-with-tamiya-acrylics/

 

Also this reply to a post I had being similar in nature to yours, pay special attention to a reply by jwrass;

I'm finally getting it and having fun.  Yellow was tough for me but now its a breeze.

Edited October 18, 2015 by aurfalien

[Skip]

The cheaper acrylic paints have less pigment in them than some of the other higher quality brands.  You can get good results with them by building thin coats with a very soft brush.  The cheaper, lower quality craft acrylics are prone to brush marks, try a lower end flat watercolor brush just dampened with a little water and see how you can get it to lay down.

[AzTom]

I use that craft paint, including the Wallmart stuff. I have not had issues with it covering but I would have used a light gray or white primer if painting a color that light. In fact I just painted a tractor axle grey tonight with that paint then clear coated it. I use a good camel hair brush.

[buckrogers]

I use that craft paint, including the Wallmart stuff. I have not had issues with it covering but I would have used a light gray or white primer if painting a color that light. In fact I just painted a tractor axle grey tonight with that paint then clear coated it. I use a good camel hair brush.

Do you thin it out when you brush?

[AzTom]

I do not, unless it's old and has thickened up some. If it's been sitting for a long time I would take the cap off and stir it with a small screw driver or similar device.  

 I do thin it to air brush.