Yeah, I’ve been down that rabbit hole more times than I care to admit. My first few prints looked great off the bed, but the second I tried painting, all those crisp layer lines just turned into a muddy mess. What finally clicked for me was using a high-fill automotive primer after a very light sanding—it smooths just enough without killing the tiny teeth or armor scratches. For the actual paint, I stick to matte acrylics and thin them more than I think I need, then layer slowly. I found a really solid breakdown of prepping game models on https://www.gambody.com/ that changed how I handle supports and orientation before the primer even touches the plastic. Vallejo and Citadel paints are my go-to because they don’t glob up the vents or facial details. Also, don’t skip a matte varnish at the end—it ties the finish together and keeps the paint from chipping off the first time you pick the model up.