I have a industrial complex that uses vehicles that are dark blue and orange (Polly Scale GN Orange to be specific). (Yes, they are intended to replicate Denver Bronco colors.) I have decided that I want the complex to have its own switcher. Consequently, I want the switcher to be that same scheme. However, I am need of a good dark blue paint. (The vehicles are prepainted the dark blue.) Does anyone know of a good premix blue in the Polly Scale that would be a good color match for Denver Bronco blue. If worse comes to worse, I can mix it but I would like to have it premixed for ease of use. Any ideas anyone can provide would be welcomed.
Hi,
To assure you have something compatible with the plastics of the loco, I suggest you mix the color yourself using the proper type paints. I would first experiment on a small scale, using an eyedropper to could out drops so as you can record the formula you are testing. Once you hit it right, you can measure a large scale volume in grams or ounces using a postal scale.
You’re not going to find exactly the right blue because, well, that’s how colors work. The Broncos use a specific blue that’s really unlikely to be the same blue a railroad happened to use. CSX’s blue is pretty close though.
Maybe CSX blue with a drop of black.
I figured that I wouldn’t get the color exact. (I don’t even think that GN Orange is the right orange either, but it gets the idea across.) I am just looking for something close. I have used CSX Blue before and I think that it will work for what I had in mind. Thank you for your assistance.
Keep in mind blue fades pretty quickly. The railroad I grew up watching painted their diesels a dark navy blue, but over time it faded to a much lighter blue - a lot like the color changes you see in a pair of blue jeans over time.
So, if your engine’s blue is say a touch lighter than the vehicles, it’s probably more realistic than if they were exactly the same. Plus, if you end up with a blue that’s a little too light, you can darken it with powdered charcoal weathering. You can seal powdered charcoal in with flat finish by the way, unlike chalk weathering. Most likely the vehicles would be kept cleaner than the engine.
If you weather the cars and loco an exact color match will be unnecessary.