I shoot only acrylic paints. I prefer Modelflex, but also like Polly Scale paints. That said, what paint colors do I need to paint some SD45's, 4000-series, non-billboard style? Is engine black too dark? Is any other gray more correct? Is MILW orange correct? Anyone have specific data on this? TIA..
Hemi, when I painted my twinstacks I used pollyscale Milw orange. However, I am not sure about what black to use. here is a comparison of the paint i used and you can see it matched the stock Kato SD40-2's paint pretty well.
Use a gloss engine black. Even when flattened out by weather, it was still obviously black. The oranges can vary some. Seemed to depend upon who painted the engine. GE, EMD, shops, etc. Some washed out quickly. Some had an almost red hue. Sort of similar to a reefer orange. I have used Floquil Milw Orange #110162 (Old #R162), and also on some units, tried Floquil Reefer Orange #110030 (Old #R30.) Did you see that SD45 picture I'd noted last week? Boxcab E50
Yeah, that's why I asked, the top black looked almost gray.... Thanks for the help! http://www.sd45.com/milwaukeeroad/images/milw4002.jpg
Hemi, Polly Scale #F414152 Milwaukee Rd. Orange is based on the OEM as painted new color. This will replicate a new fresh out of the shop look and if that is what you want, then F414290 Engine Black would work well as a new black. If you want a true veteran of the rails, add a drop or two of F414113 Reefer White and use F414137 Grimey Black. I remember when I&M Raillink had a few of these ex Milwaukee Rd. units. The black changed to a nice charcoal color. Boxcab is right concerning the old RR's. Colors drifted from manufactuer and shop. Just watch your black colors as they tend to wash out detail in the smaller scales.
Jim, I used your methods for painting, they came out FANTASTIC! The paint lines are tack sharp, only a couple places the orange pulled up, and they are minor. I gave them a lite coat of gloss to aid decaling, and tonite it's decal time!
Update: Decals on the cab, long hood and side sills are done. Lastly are the numberboards. Might be a PITB to cobble them up for the Microscale sheet, as my stock of any kind of numberboards is incorrect for the MILW units. I'm dreading these numberboards for that reason.... After the dullcoat dries, I can assemble them for a quick pic...
