Let me get this straight...

Guten morgen/tag/nicht!

Hey, thanks for all the advice. The spray cans sound like a good idea. I'll probably get a cheap snap together kit to try some techniques. I do not have a digital camera, but I will take some pictures of a future product and get the film put on disk.

Welcome to the Forum

You might try to paint your models with flat paint (they tend to show far less paint strokes than gloss) and then shoot on a top coat of gloss clear from a spray can.

Be sure to spray a few thin coats (don't try to cover the model in one coat, you'll get runs and fill in details with a thick coat of paint) If you decide to go with spray cans, you'll get better coverage if you put the can into hot water for a few minutes just prior to painting. That raises the pressure and thins the paint. DON'T use boiling water. For years I just set the can in the sink and ran hot water over it for 3 to 5 minutes, wiped the can off with a towel (don't want water drops near wet paint), shook the can well and then painted.

El Cheezo, most people actually start out with rattle can paints......it's a much cheaper learning process, and it teaches you some basics that you will carry over with you to an airbrush....for example, how to mask properly, the techniques of applying the paints, drying techniques.......etc, etc. Also you can use your 'outside cardboard technique', because with an airbrush it is recommended to be used with a booth to protect your model from dust particles, and you from fumes.

I have seen some very awesome paint jobs, especially camo from rattle cans, give it a shot, post some pics, and stick around there's hints galore on the forums!!!

First of all:

Welcome to the Forum.

Second hints and tips.

Each genre/scale/medium of the modelling hobbies has their own little difficulties and techniques that need to be mastered.
Gundam Robots tend to be snap-together and it is fairly hard not to get a good finish on one if one works slow and careful.

An Airbrush is a tool, same as a modelling knife, sandpaper, glue, etc you need to invest time, effort and frustration in order to learn to use it well.

First master the basics of modelling before you try the tougher and more advanced techniques.
Expensive and flashy tools don't provide the better results, those come from the modeller that uses those tools. And many Pro-Modeler hardly use any expensive or flashy tools.

Even the tips and techniques given and talked about here need practice, practice and more practice in order to be mstered.
Example:
Getting an airbrush and learning to spray an even finish is only part of the game, you also need to learn masking, mixing the paint, etc.

Best of luck in your ventures and study.