darn brush lines...

Ted,
First of all welcome to the forum family! Looking forward to your posts.

Not trying to be a wise guy, but the best way to eliminate brush strokes is to get yourself a good airbrush and compressor set-up. You won't believe the difference it will make in your finished product.
I don't do a whole lot with a brush anymore except for small parts (like pioneer tools once they're attached to the hull of an AFV), but I have found that dabbing on the paint vice stroking it on yields lot less brush strokes.
If you're using a water-thinned acrylic paint, it could account for clumping. Try using alcohol as your thinner, or a tiny drop of dish washing liquid to the water. If it's an enamel, ensure that the paint is not old and drying out. There should be a ready flow to an enamel.
Hope this helps you.
Gip Winecoff

hi styrene - thx much for the tips.

i think an airbrush is on my short list, but i'm still trying to decide how deep i think i'm going to get into it. i know i saw an airbrush faq, so i'll be sure to check that out.

my paints are all tamiya acrylics. they're all brand new bottles, so i don't think age is an issue.

maybe i'll try thinning it per your suggestion. up to now, i've never thinned the paint before applying - is that common practice?

thx again!

For Tamiya acrylics, you really don't even need to thin them for airbrushing (just ask shermanfreak), although the only time I used them, I thinned them slightly with alcohol before airbrushing. Thinning for brushing should not be an issue unless the paints have been sitting out open for some time or are old, which is neither one of your problems. I guess one other question could be: have you mixed them thoroughly prior to use?
Gip Winecoff

well ... at least i *think* i mixed them well. i just shook vigorously for a minute, then used a toothpick to stir the paint some more. i didn't notice any pigment stuck to the bottom, nor to the toothpick.

i took a look at some parts that i painted and i think one of my problems is i'm putting too much paint on the brush. i can see small areas where the paint seemed to "puddle" - it's not extreme, but it's definitely there.

i started dipping the brush into the paint, then wiping some of the excess off onto a paper towel. that seemed to help some. is that a good technique?

i guess i shouldn't be too worried yet. this is my first model in years. heck ... i'll be lucky to finish it without breaking anything! :)

thx again styrene - i appreciate you taking the time.

to touch up use fine sand paper 1200/2000 and upwards or even polishing cloth 2000grit upwards. they reach to 10K.....
The other option which i do is not to actually brush but blob the brush..sorry for the english i mean apply it in spots until all the surface is cover. To my amazement i have found that once dried the paint will not have a uniform appearence but blotchy simulating weathering...thats to my eyes to yours it may be terrible so practice first...lol

thx thyamis - i will give that "blob" technique a try.

it always seems "weird" to me to sand something i just painted, but i think that may work out well.

thx again.

a couple of things i have found to be useful in touchup, are pipe cleaners and cotton Qtips. Rather than using a brush and going thru clean up...the pipe cleaner end with paint on it, can be clipped off and throw away, as the Qtip is. And no brush marks either