how do i paint the tanks?

[Eagle262]

Ok this seems like a weird question but how do i actually paint the tanks? I go into the paint room, but no matter what buttons I press the only thing I can seem to change are the tow hooks. The rest of the tank remains stubbonly primer red and decals dont work at all. Is there a fix for this, or am I just missing something?

[THEButterKING]

press X to switch between paint and primer mode on the spay gun

[Kilo Tango]

Yepp, you can paint (basic paint) with pressing X on spray gun, and only after you can add uniqe paint/camo/decal by clicking on the desk in paint room

[Limmin]

To elaborate on KT's correct answer:

Your steps in restoring any tank part are
1. Remove rust
2. Sand
3. Primer
4. Paint

Use the paint gun to do steps 3 and 4. As KT says, switch from primer to paint mode by using the X key.

When all parts are painted, THEN and only then proceed to moving the tank to the paint room where you apply different camo schemes / decals etc.

[Eagle262]

Ok thank you all. That was... not clearly communicated by the game at all.