I have a bridge I want to paint as limestone. What is the formula for a correct limestone color?
Here’s a link to a site with limestone color tile. That will give you something to match.
Correct color for limestone?
Sort of a cream if pure - think chalk and you wouldn’t be far.
OTOH, if it has any kind of impurities, it may range from almost med or dark red, to pink to yellow, orange, tan or even dark grey ( almost black in some cases )
I would say the color depends on what part of the country you’re trying to recreate. Here in Texas, we have limestone that ranges in color from just about pure white to grey and even dark enough to look black…some of the lighter colored limestone has spots of orange/rust colors in it as well.
Don Z.
Like anything else it varies. Indiana limestone can be mistaken for marble it is so white. Other seams vary to light gray. It really depends on the area of the country you are modeling.
It lays out all over the ground here. Here’s a photo of a piece.
Here is some we have around here.
In the sun:
And the same three pieces in the shade:
Hmmm…Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall ever seeing a limestone bridge.[%-)]
How about one of sandstone?
I think most of the classic stone arch bridges such as those that the C&NW favored were made of limestone. The one in South Milwaukee WI even had stalactites, presumably from water running through the limestone.
This entry has a nice photo of the kind of bridge I am talking about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Central_Stone_Arch_Railroad_Bridges
Dave Nelson
OK, I’ll correct you… [}:)] Limestone is actually quite common as a building material and has been used as a material for bridges. Here is one example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Central_Stone_Arch_Railroad_Bridges
Doggone, ya beat too it!
OK! I give! I never paid that much attention to it. I thought limestone would be too soft.
Learn something new every day![:)]
Limestone is actually one of the most common stones used in bridge building, and is famous for its use in large municipal buildings. One reason is because it cuts easily.
Pure limestone is almost white. However, that is rare. It depends on the region and upon the weathering it has taken. Limestone weathers easily, and is very susceptible to water erosion…hence the sinkholes and caverns in the east. In regions with heavy iron content, it takes a reddish-brown hue. In the Virginia/WVa Alleghenies, it is commonly grey, with white splashes, or brownish in weathered spots or in areas where sandstone has washed upon it.
Here’s a photo from a Virginia limestone quarry:
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Well, here is a picture showing genuine Virginia limestone. I never knew there were so many varities of the stuff.
Bob
Well, when you get right down to it, concrete is not much more than man made limestone.
There is a underground Facility near Joplin or was that Springfield Missouri that relies on limestone and other mine columns to support the earth above. Used to deliver down under there backing between and around columns to and from the dock.
Limestone is fairly common building material in the Midwest.
Although the limestone here is typically a shade of gray or yellow, it can be almost any color, depending on where it comes from.
Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. All very helpful.
Greg Gates