Painting an Airfix Kit, what am I doing wrong?

[spitfire-ian]

Thought I'd have a go at making some Airfix kits for the first time since my early teens but is it me or is the paint now thinner?

I'm using Humbrol enamels and several tins have been just like coloured water when applied. I've shaken and stirred the tins well but still it seemed very thin when applying.

The picture below shows the result after two coats. I would have thought it would be a more even coat and a more even colour than that. Is it just the way I'm going about things, do I just need a load more coats and has anyone got any good tips? Can't justify an airbrush right now though.

[spitfire-ian]

I didn't use an undercoat.

Is the way to approach it to spray the whole kit with primer first?

Apologies for the simple questions but I'd like to get the best out of the kits as although I remember my efforts 20 odd years ago were amazing and very well painted I somehow think that in reality they weren't

[spitfire-ian]

RichB said:

Ian, modellers spend hours to get that appearance of patination to the interior of old aircraft.

I did think that I might just leave it

[spitfire-ian]

Wacky Racer said:

Are you sure you stirred the paint sufficiently?

Definitely. Shook it for a good minute and stirred it until there weren't any 'lumpy' bits.