Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Color match for Atlas Union Pacific SD24 armour yellow and harbor mist grey paint.

2746 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 19 posts
Posted by npsixtynine on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 4:09 PM

Thanks for the many suggestions. I do special mixing all the time and understand that prototype colors vary widely.

I was merely asking if anyone had found what stock paint or "special mix" would work to match the factory Atlas Master Series Union Pacific armour yellow and harbor mist grey colors. The Atlas model has a very nice paint job and I'd rather not have to hurt that just to add the B unit panels. If not I will mix my own. Just trying to save some work. 

Thanks again.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 12:31 PM

Even railroad paint shops had difficulty matching colors from one locomotive to another unless a large batch of paint was mixed.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 12:28 PM

rrebell

If you post the colors someone here might be able to assist you in mixing your own color match. Even with the different computer colors one would be able to give you hints an the direction of mixing. If were in front of me I could do it spot on but remotly, can only hint.

I agree...if you can tell that a particular colour doesn't match that which you're trying to duplicate, it should be fairly obvious what colours you need to add to make it match.
I do this by the "brushload" method - start with the colour that's not quite right, with four or five brushloads of it on an impervious surface.  Wipe the brush clean (no need to actually clean it), then dip it into a colour that will shift the base colour in the proper direction...try one brushload, mixing it in using the brush, to see if it's heading in the right direction. 
If so, you may need to ad another brushload, or perhaps go with a different colour.  Keep track of the number of brushloads of each colour you use.

Some results will be unacceptable, some may show promise, but need more work.  Using paint in this manner will teach you how to mix the colours you need, and you may eventually get very good results. 
More often than not, I can get it right within one or two attempts...part luck and part innate ability, developed over time by using this method.

When you have success, the brushloads can be translated into whatever measurements suit your needs, then be sure to write them down for future reference.

Wayne 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,668 posts
Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 10:37 AM

If you post the colors someone here might be able to assist you in mixing your own color match. Even with the different computer colors one would be able to give you hints an the direction of mixing. If were in front of me I could do it spot on but remotly, can only hint.

 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:41 AM

npsixtynine
Has anyone tried matching the Atlas paint colors?

No, I haven't, but your probably on your own here, and see what you can mix up to match whatever Atlas used.

If your looking to touch up after the conversion, you might be better off repainting the loco to a UP color that suits you.

It's pretty common that colors differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.  The Atlas version of UP yellow is probably different than the Kato, or an Athearn.

As the saying goes, "you'll have that".

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • 189 posts
Posted by Deane Johnson on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 6:59 PM

I haven't made any sort of direct comparison, but I remember Scalecoat looking pretty accurate for UP.  I don't know how that might compare to Atlas though.

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • 19 posts
Color match for Atlas Union Pacific SD24 armour yellow and harbor mist grey paint.
Posted by npsixtynine on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 3:31 PM

I'm in the process of converting a Union Pacific Atlas Master series SD24 to a B unit. I usually use Tru Color paints but the match is way off from the Atlas Armour Yellow colors.

Has anyone tried matching the Atlas paint colors?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!