Matching Paint for HO GP7

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am re-detailing a Wabash Atlas GP7. For touch-up and the addition of a Mars Light and the regular headlight below it, ideally I need a gray that matches the gray Atlas used. I’ve been trying to match it with no success so far. True, I haven’t mixed any paint yet but have been comparing samples out of the bottle of many grays that I have. The old saying about many shades of gray is very, very true!

Anyway, the gray Atlas used has a bit of a blue tint to it. But I am also thinking that since the gray is on the upper car body, and because I might not have success matching the gray, I might as well mask off the blue and white after I add the new detail parts less the windows and lenses and repaint another gray on top of the eixisting gray. A friend that has researched real railroad colors says that Model Flex CB&Q Gray is a good match for Wabash Gray and not the Wabash Gray from the same source. (However, he does say the dark blue Atlas used on the tri color scheme is very good compared to other model manufacturers.)

And before anyone replies, weathering the details to blend in is not an option.

Does anyone have any good suggestions based on experience on either approach.

Thanks in Advance

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

2

I never could find an out-of-the-bottle match for any of the grays used on Atlas or Proto 2000 Wabash Geeps.

I’ve had good results hand-painting the warning light housing and new lower headlight housing on the Atlas Geeps with a mixed-by-eye blend of Delta Ceramcoat acrylic Dolphin Gray, White, and Wedgewood Blue. These three colors are the basis for matching the grey on the Proto 2000 Geeps, too. Having a little black on hand to correct for the mix getting too light can be helpful.