Well I had a crack at my first AB spray on a model and I reckon my technique sucks.

I sprayed Humbrol Dark Earth (29) and it came out like sandpaper about 420 grit. I don't think it is supposed to be rough. Now I did thin it with enamel thinners (industrial commercial brand). The AB was about 4 - 6 inches from the model and the gauge pressure was 20 psi or a bit under (I wouldn't trust the gauge).

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Howdy..

some reasons for a grainy finish are....

not enough air...

and/or

Paint too thick.

and/or

paint drying before reaching the surface (causes are high temps while painting or spraying to far from surface.

Or the thinner evaporates too fast and paint drying before reaching the surface

If I were you I'd try with humbrol thinner

If the job gets better it could be a thinner issue

Yeah, I had a thought that the paint needed thinning. Did another 'spray' and results a bit mixed at the moment.

I guess it just requires me to keep practicing, luckily at the moment the model I bought is a 'roughie' so I'm using this as a test piece and to get my 'act' in order.

Thanks for the idea's to try.