I use the "lightest first method",,,,except for one group of Aircraft
for Light Gull Gray over White aircraft, I use the Light Gull Gray as my overall base coat, it helps the white cover the plastic color better
I also use the smell method,,,,,I put my freshly painted models in a plastic storage container with a snap on lid,,,,,to keep the dust out,,,,,,I pop the lid once in a while to give it a sniff,,,,,sometimes, I have to take the "bottom" off and smell the model,,,,,,the softer plastic will sometimes pick up the odor and hold it
also,,,,,use the lid as your base, the bottom as the cover
Rex