Need help 2

Well, you're right...experience and preference plays a huge role.  I used to be an "enamels forever" guy, but the dwindling numbers of brands forced my hand into acrylics.  I now use both.  I've found that enamels are generally easier to figure out, and they tend to brush paint better.  However, my current go-to paint is Tamiya.  You can't beat their finish once you get used to spraying them.  I hear Vallejo acrylics brush paint well, but I've only used them for tiny details.  I still use quite a few Model Master enamels, but they've changed formulas so often and are now discontinuing so many colors that I'm likely to completely move on soon.

Just my two cents.  Basically, choose a brand and experiment - ask questions here, and try some other brands.  You'll quickly figure them out with focused practice.  Good luck!

Acrylic for the airbrush. The ease of cleaning the airbrush using water based paint is a no brainer argument against enamels. HOWEVER, for cockpit details and brush painting....enamels rule.

I too am in the process of switching over to acrylics, when I can. I am still not sold on the idea of acrylic metallic finishes, but hopefully with time they will improve. I started by switching to MM acrylics and they were, eh, so-so. Then I tried Vallejo for some brush painting and really like the coverage. Right now, I'd have to say my preferred brand that I am going with is the stuff from Ammo of Mig. I bought some of their primer and love how smooth and nice the coating is. I am also using their aircraft sets and I love them, they are ready to spray right out of the bottle. I also have a couple jars of Tamiya that I'm trying and so far, I like what I see.

I will still continue to use Alclad lacquers and I'm going to give AK Interactive Xtreme Metal a shot. You just cant beat that look you can get from Alclad products.

You just need to start trying out some different products out for yourself and see what you like. An example, Crockett just stated Enamels rule for detail cockpit painting for him, for me, Vallejo acrylics rule, and when i'm done I just clean up in the sink. Very easy. But now, I hate Vallejo for airbrushing, so I move on to another product for that. All this stuff needs to be learned on your own by experimentation. Any other specific questions along the way we can gladly help you out here. 

In a nutshell, it's all about preference, not what everyone is using. I like acrylics for ease of airbrushing without the stink. I've got both Testors Model Master enamels & acrylics (mostly acrylics), Tamiya acrylics, Life Color, Vallejo, Aeromaster, a small handful of PollyScale acrylics.

I started with wooden models and model airplane dope.  But when I started in plastic models I used enamels.  I suppose that has led to my current preference for the stuff.  I have had problems with acrylics clogging my airbrush due to insufficiently agressive solvents, or delaying too long after spraying to clean them.

I have been using more acrylics lately, developing the discipline to clean airbrush immediately after spraying, and using 91 % iso rather than the weaker stuff.  Still, enamel is my first choice.  One reason is that I do a lot of models that require gloss finish, and I find gloss easier to get from enamels than acrylics.  I built a heated drying box to counter the slow drying time of gloss enamels.

I say try both and see which one works for you. Some guys swear by acrylics, I on the other hand swear at them. 

I like the control I have when airbrushing enamels which is something I can't get with acrylics. With that said, it all comes down to individual preference.

Yep, individual preference. I hate running Vallejo through the AB, but Vallejo Air isn't too bad. Enamels stink up the house even with a spray booth and ventilation and I get complaints from the wife, but you can’t beat the coverage. I have been using Tamiya Acrylics for years but just started using their thinner. I was cheap and tried everything else. Now I'm trying Mr. Color, I'm still trying to figure it out and have been building for 35 years.