Painting techniques....

[Ron]

It has to do with the flakes in the paint.

It's the "flakes" at the factory I'm worried about

[DefenderDarko]

It only happens when the can isn't properly mixed. Are you shaking the can for at least a minute and clearing the nozzle between spray applications?

I've literally never had this problem with Testors. I did do something similar with a matte spray once, but I wasn't clearing the nozzle.

Also, never use the bottom 1/8th of your can. It's not an even mixture at that point. Depending on the angle you spray, you generally use more paint than propellant, so the last bits of product in the can isn't really usable if you're going to obsess over the finish, like we all love to do.

[Ron]

Any more, I burn maybe 10% of the can just "breaking it in," then use about 50-60% more before just throwing it out.

[1984gojifan]

Well, I've decided different techniques for different builds.

For Servo,  I've decided that for making head with the 2nd lid. I'll mask off the beak. But for making the season 1-2 head and the Haircut dispenser (the ones that keep the dome on) I'll hand paint.