Paints for your model, who do you trust?

[flypaper2222]

I've been building plastic model since 1952, yup 73 years, I dont recall the manufacturer but the first one was of the Republic "Sea Bee". I also remember that if you didnt have the proper cement you could use your mothers nail polish. Mine ended up with Cherry Red seems.
Now lets get down to who to trust when you're ready to paint your finished model. Simple no one! Passing of time, sloppy research, different companies repeating the same errors over and over again, Putting your faith on FS 595a mixes. Yes some get some right but its up to you to do your own research to find out, the information is out there, check before you spray. I just came off of a page on this site that mentioned some digital color charts highlighted on Hyper Scale I didn't bother to look at them I wanted to see what he based his information on...Well he listed about 8 or 10 plastic model magazines as his prime source and then he listed the color charts of several model paint companies.!!! that was the gist of his research. its difficult but not impossible to get it right. If you dont care and close is good enough do you really consider your self a scale modeler or just some one who sticks things together.
A gift from Ian Huntly who worked for the fairy aircraft co.

 

[Crimea_River]

Re: "If you dont care and close is good enough do you really consider your self a scale modeler or just some one who sticks things together."

Yes I do consider myself a scale modeler actually. I find the endless nitpicking over Munsell Values and RGBs and whatever techy jargon is used to decipher colours overly pedantic. My models generally reflect aircraft that have seen combat, that have been exposed to dust, sun, grime and other elements that played havoc with factory finishes. Do I care? Yes, but I'm satisfied with getting colours close to what is generally accepted as correct. Until someone comes along with new PROOF that the accepted norm is wrong, I'm perfectly happy to continue to enjoy painting my models in colours that I consider "close".

 

[flypaper2222]

each his own, I prefer to know what the true colors start out to be "close"

 

[Airframes]

I think it has already been mentioned, but "scale effect" should be considered.
If a model in, say 1/48th scale was painted in the actual paints used, it would perhaps not look authentically correct, as the paint colour would appear too "heavy", i.e., too dark.
In general, this effect increases as scales decrease. There is no definitive process to calculate for scale effect, and it's often a case of trial and error but, the old mantra "if it looks right it probably is right" can really be applied here.

 

[Crimea_River]

each his own, I prefer to know what the true colors start out to be "close"

For "true" colours, you'll need either original colour swatches from official period documents that have not been exposed to sunlight, dust, and other contaminants for the last 80 to 90 years or consult documentation that derives colour definition from the same sources. Visit Britmodeler for endless discussions on this subject.

 

[KLS&C 85]

Being an American, we have the endless debate. What is the correct Olive Drab?

 

[flypaper2222]

For "true" colours, you'll need either original colour swatches from official period documents that have not been exposed to sunlight, dust, and other contaminants for the last 80 to 90 years or consult documentation that derives colour definition from the same sources. Visit Britmodeler for endless discussions on this subject.

And there has been plenty of results unearthing all the information you mentioned. More and more is uncovered every day. You said you build to represent the aircraft in the field, used, and battered etc, fine but for me having faith in the first color I lay down is as close as possible is good way to start. The sample I posted shows comparisonsf

 

[Gnomey]

This thread has a font of information on the topic…

Color pics For a Model I'm Building

Gentlemen, I'm new to this site and looking for color pics as I'm researching for a model I'm building. Any suggestions? Thanks

ww2aircraft.net

 

[fubar57]

I'm a close enough kinda guy as long as the paint wasn't manufactured on a Monday or Friday

 

[flypaper2222]

And there has been plenty of results unearthing all the information you mentioned. More and more is uncovered every day. You said you build to represent the aircraft in the field, used, and battered etc, fine but for me having faith in the first color I lay down is as close as possible is good way to start. The sample I posted shows comparisonsf

I think it has already been mentioned, but "scale effect" should be considered.
If a model in, say 1/48th scale was painted in the actual paints used, it would perhaps not look authentically correct, as the paint colour would appear too "heavy", i.e., too dark.
In general, this effect increases as scales decrease. There is no definitive process to calculate for scale effect, and it's often a case of trial and error but, the old mantra "if it looks right it probably is right" can really be applied here.

Scale effects can be applied to the correct color. My point is take all bottled model paints with a grain of salt. Chart shows manufacturers take on on the same color.

 

[Crimea_River]

..... More and more is uncovered every day......

I must be well out of touch with these daily revelations.

 

[flypaper2222]

I must be well out of touch with these daily revelations.

always nice to share with a pleasant and open mined person as your self on a site open to sharing information

 

[modlrfleck]

each his own, I prefer to know what the true colors start out to be "close"

An exact color match is the goal of course but now ask yourself how long that exact match lasts in service. Modelers put all manner of panel line shading and panel highlighting, chipping etc. to emphasize various degrees of wear but still insist on "exact" color matches? Doesn't make much sense does it? If it's "close" then it probably matches the shade of at least one of a particular type in service.

 

[SaparotRob]

Scale effects can be applied to the correct color. My point is take all bottled model paints with a grain of salt. Chart shows manufacturers take on on the same color.View attachment 848090

All these reds look the same to me.

 

[fubar57]

 

[flypaper2222]

An exact color match is the goal of course but now ask yourself how long that exact match lasts in service. Modelers put all manner of panel line shading and panel highlighting, chipping etc. to emphasize various degrees of wear but still insist on "exact" color matches? Doesn't make much sense does it? If it's "close" then it probably matches the shade of at least one of a particular type in service.

if you start with the correct color all the added finishes will change the outcome but the resulting color will reflect the alterations of the correct color.

 

[N4521U]

Yadda yadda yadda.............. I prefer a paint that applies well, dries nicely and presents nooooo problems after!

Oh, and is sooo close enough.

 

[Viking1066]

Vallejo.

 

[flypaper2222]

Yadda yadda yadda.............. I prefer a paint that applies well, dries nicely and presents nooooo problems after!

Oh, and is sooo close enough.

so do you use an airbrush or a roller yadda yadda.....soooo close but no cigar

 

[rochie]

Wow !

Thread about paint, causing so much friction.

Lets all calm down a little please.