Spray Tech, Let me say first that I agree beginning painters are better off if they stick to one brand. You have to become an amatuer chemist as you advance in this game, but I have done this using some good advise from my paint store, and sometimes I make a change if something forces me to find another way. The ultimate goal is to find something that works for you every time. You can't make a living if you have to keep repainting. You will get enough of that anyway.

Years ago I read an article by an experienced painter who said "use anyone's quality two-part primer, sand, use anyone's quality acrylic urethane basecoat, and finish with the quality acrylic urethane clear of your choice. It's worked for me.

I don't worry too much about blaming any paint company for my problems. If it's their fault, all they will do is give me another can of paint. I'm the one who has to contribute hundreds of dollars of my time to fix it. I guess that means that I am going to have to stand behind my own work. Besides that, why would I want another can of something that didn't work the first time? Knowing this, I am going to use products that work for me every time, even if the paint cans don't match.