I recently purchased an N-Scale Atlas SD-35, lettered for the PRR, in Brunswick Green. Can anyone tell me what manufacturer's paint is the closest match to Atlas's color? I am interested in repainting other locomotives, but want to match the SD-35. thanks in advance, Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois)
Paint matching to RTR models can be tough at times, since most model RR manufacturers do not use "brand name" model RR paints like Floquil, Accuflex, Scalecoat, etc., to decorate their models. When I worked for ConCor (1989-93 and again 1995-98) we had a box filled with about 30 samples of different model RR manufacturers' versions of UP Armour Yellow, and no two were alike. As you are aware PRR Brunswick Green is a very dark color and looks almost black under certain lighting conditions. I would get one bottle each of PRR Brunswick Green from Floquil, Accuflex and Scalecoat and paint a color swatch on a 2 x 3 inch piece of white styrene. Allow all 3 samples to dry thoroughly. Then lay them out alongside your Atlas model in different lighting conditions (sunlight, cloudy daylight, indoor-incandescent, indoor-fluorescent) and see which looks the closest. If one commercial sample matches the Atlas model pretty closely, then Voila, you have your match. If the best match is still not good enough, you may have to mix your own -- perhaps starting with a color like Northern Pacific dark green or C&NW dark green, and then slowly darken it up by adding black paint to the green, but only a couple of drops at a time -- as you go along, paint another styrene blank with that mixture -- keeping notes on what blend you are using. Guaranteed to keep you busy for a few evenings. And above all, remember...... Rule #1 It is MY railroad Rule #2 When in doubt, refer to Rule #1 Happy Holidays Don Brown Tucson AZ USA
Thanks, Don. I appreciate the suggestions. BTW, I like the rules! Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois)
an ancient thread, but I haven't seen a good answer to the original question. Maybe this will save somebody from the trial and error effort...Tamiya "NATO black" XF69 closely matches the color on Atlas PRR Brunswick green diesels. The XF69 is a flat finish, so you'll need to add a clear coat to match the finish. Model Master flat clear acryl is very close match.
