Good call ToraDog. I'm building a Tamiya vehicle and advice is always thoroughly wash the plastic body etc. before painting.

Chris

Same with fiberglass hulls - mold release.
Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA 🇺🇸

No one has mentioned this yet, so I will through it out.
Some plastic hulls have a mold release adhering to them that cause acrylic paints to NOT want to stick or flatten out. Try washing the hull and using a scrubbby pad, like on sponges, to help clean the hull. I would use a mild detergent as well.
I have been using store ( Home Depot) bought acrylics to paint my hulls ( F/G) as well as my superstructures, (plastic and 3D printed). I use a commercially available thinning agent to increases the flow of the paint as well. All have been brush painted and I have been satisfied with the results.
BTY, Home Depot now uses one of the best color sample machines, for reading and matching existing paint colors/samples, that I have found.

Using commercial paint on a small model might be a problem due to the thickness of the paint. Most can be thinned. Good quality hobby Acrylic paint has come a long way as for density and durability.

Model paints are expensive considering the small containers they come in. There are some larger sized two part epoxy paints (like Klass Kote) available.

Too bad you can't use spray paint. It is by far faster, inexpensive, wide selection of colors and finishes, and does a great job. I use them all the time.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, 🇺🇸 USA

Humbrol paints are specifically designed for use on plastic but I also use them on my wooden models after first applying a wooden primer. They give a very good finish and when applying with a brush the brush marks also disappeared. They are classified as an enamel paint which is a lot harder and more waterproof than standard paint. The standard size is 14 ml tins but when you search for the paint state 50 ml tinlets. Good luck!

A good flat matte primer that is compatible with most plastics will accept just about anything you cover it with. Kilz makes a primer that will adhere to styrene and pvc etc. Kilz used to be shellac based, but they now make a styrene resin based product called Klear…I think. Both should be good for the hull. But, do test sections first! My friends here already know about my test obsession!
😉

How about a mixing station in a decorator/builders merchant?
They can match any colour and you can then apply acrylic lacquer on top.

I live in an urban flat (apartment) and don’t have access to a location where I can spray and the wife forbids it indoors. I also can’t get a good colour match in spray.

I don't know why you want to brush when you can get a very good spray can from an automotive shop. I'm sure there are those options in Canada.
Acrylics work very well on plastics I must add. As you might already know they also brush very well. At least those from tamiya I use.

I am building an RC scale model of the pocket battleship Graf Spee (you can see my build blog on this site). I am now getting closer to finishing and have to consider how to paint the plastic hull. Not having built a boat in decades and not having worked on a plastic hull before, I need some help finding the right paint. I need to match the superstructure which is brush painted in acrylics with a matte clear finish on top. I tested this method on the hull and it doesn't adhere well and is not durable. I cannot use spray for various reasons and am considering using commercial paint from a building store, probably enamel. My old favorite 2 part epoxy paint is no longer made. Can anyone suggest a good brush paint method and materials for a plastic hull that will match the superstructure?