I have asked this on some of my other resources with no luck, so here goes: I am in need of assistance from my forum friends again. What would be the right color of gray for modeling the NP 76543-76642 hopper series? (Example picture here.) My time frame is as shown in the picture (1970's). Additionally, any ideas for colors for weathering other than the rust would also be welcomed. The colors would either need to be in the Humbrol line or on the acrylic side of the Model Master line. (Working with non-acrylics is a great hassle for me. As I live in an apartment, working with thinner is a smelly hassle.) Since Testors quit producing the Polly S/Polly Scale lines, those are the two lines that I have had the best luck with. (I brush paint.) As usual, thank you for any assistance that anyone can provide.
Since I weather my 1980's hoppers, I usually just stick with Rustoleum gray primer. But to match the color closer, I'd recommend Flat Gull Gray. Model Master has this color in enamel and acrylic.
For the white streaks on my cars, I use artist oil paints (from AC Moore) and Turpenoid thinner. You can apply this in layers and build up the streaks.
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
Tamiya has a variety of gray shades in its rattle can line, some of which are military colors (and variations are quite subtle) but very close to standard railroad covered hopper grays. The colors of the plastic caps are quite close to the "real" color which is not always the case with rattle can paints. I keep a variety on hand. Once a car is weathered (powders and for cement cars I use anchor cement) the car takes on its own shade of gray anyway. Beyond that I have no specific help to offer on NP gray.
Dave Nelson
I tried using the Tamiya paints as the first thing after the PS line was discontinued. I found that I didn't like it at all. (At least in my experience, it didn't cover well.) That's why I switched over to the Humbrol line. Humbrol is thick enough to brush well but not so thick as to obscure detail.
Hello all,
In my quest to find a color for a EMD 567 Prime Mover kit:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/264165.aspx
I came across Premium Decor (True Value house brand) "Satin Gibraltar" #223470.
This color could be best described as light or submarine gray.
Unfortunately I don't own an airbrush so it's rattle cans for me.
After drying there is a slight sheen (satin) to the finish. This could be easily dulled down by weathering, or left as-is to represent freshly painted rolling stock.
On the prime mover I painted the satin finish gives it that "factory fresh" look.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"