How do you get you kits to look so good?

Ive done quite a few kits, and I am proud of them, but they never turn out all that great. I look around this forum, and see that my finished kits arent even in the same league as most of the ones posted. I guess it has something to do with the painting or something. I mean, I dont consider myself a beginner at modelling but my kits just dont have that same paint clarity and luster that others seem to.

What am I missing here? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I decided to post this after seeing the pics of pkw1's Civic sir. sure theres some parts broken off, but otherwise, that is probably a better looking model then any of mine. (which I will get around to posting).

Thanks

It's all about polishing, which takes plenty of time and practice.

I'm still practicing. :(

Yep! Undoutably how you add the paint is important, but not as important as how you cut back the paint afterwwards, and then add the polish!
You need the right compound, the right cloth and the right technique! That only comes with practice.
Waiting long enough for the paint to harden is also recommended!

When spraying you should spray about 30cm from the model. Start sprayiny well before the model and spray in a nice steady strokes all the way past the model.

Start at the bottom of the sides and then do each end of the model.
You should have the nose/bum all painted then start from the bottom of the sides and spray the length of the model till you have done about 3 sweeps. The last sweep should being doing the tops of the door frames.
The last to do is the roof/boot/bonnet.
I start from the boot and spray across the body, moving up over the roof then finishing off on the bonnet.

Once left for a week....you start all the polishing and waxing.