No worries Bracco!
Can't speak for all but I use:
Tamiya Paints -Acrylic - wide variety, easily accessible and a little healthier to use than enamels and clean up with water. You can mix your own as well using acrylics found in most paint stores. Here you would have to play around with what works for you. Airbrushing you need to cut the paint with thinners (solvents) . I have tried a number of mixes, alcohol (rubbing), Windex, water....the list goes on. most acrylic thinners and alcohol based
Some enamels - Master and testors (rarely) needs a lot of ventalation when spraying and/or painting, Thinner used with these would be paint thinner and/or mineral spirits. I would stick with the spirits, less smell.
Weathering sets from Tamiya - A, B, C, D, E - google, you tube as well. excellent effects
oils - any craft store carry these. small tubes run about $2 USD - Burnt Sienna, black, green, yellow and orange a must....build up the arsenal as you go. The amount you use in one model is incredibly small. Check through some of the build within the site, a lot of the guys post pics of what they are using and at what stage.
Brushes - The smallest I use aside from anything homemade is 18/0 up to fan brushes for some dry brushing. The real tiny brushes are mostly sold in craft stores. Most come in sets (cheap) at any craft store. I have even used pins or 28 gauge wire to paint small details.
some tricks to painting the metal parts are: Always lightly sand the part, helps with adhesion. Clean well, with acetone or denatured alcohol, point is to remove the grease and oils left behind from your fingers.
Unfortunately all paints and solvents have their individual uses at different times. However if you can work with the acrylics it will be easier all around. Most of Tamiya's are spray ready (I think we all cut them a little anyway)
Helpful sites to start!Great Paint conversion chart!http://mikeashey.com/Google search on painting techniquesGoogle words: dry brushing, weathering techniques, hair spray techniques, using filters and washes....
I am sure others will chime in with help with some of the other brands of paint and weathering products, there are a lot as well as filters, washes and such.
Good luck!
![Grin ;D](https://models.rokket.biz/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Cheers!