Paint Library (what paint colors you have)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What colors, brushes & dyes do most MRR’s have on hand? I am trying to get my list right before going down to the local store and purchasing them. If you could give me a list of what you always have, hard to find stuff etc. I am the type of person that always has to go back to the store in the middle of a project because I either forgot something, or had to change the plan :)).

Thanks in advance…

2

I cannot imagine a generic answer to such a question. I’ve done modeling of CN and CP equipment and quite a few others. So I’ve needed paint to match their colors. You probably would not have any use for CN Red, CN Green, CP Action Yellow, etc.

A lot also depends upon what you are modeling - which railroad, era,etc. Do you intend to have your models all shiny and new, or weathered - lightly or heavily? Do you want bright or subdued colors? Do you plan to spray or brush paint? Lacquer based or water based paint? Do you have an airbrush, paint booth, etc.?

I’d suggest picking up some basic colors and getting what you need later when you need it. It can be farily expensive to try an accumulate a paint collection all at once too.

Bob Boudreau

3

[#ditto] All the appropriate colors for SP for me, plus the basics of course , white black red yellow green blue etc etc . Like the above you need to know what you intend to do.

4

get all the basic colours that you would expect to use often and then buy paints that match your prototype/s so if paint is damaged you can do touch up etc… also have a pallet of weathering chalks handy to do weathering and as for brushes anything from a fine tip to a large brush, also get masking tape of various thicknesses and possibly an airbrush… just covering all of it.

OZJIM

5

http://www.testors.com/brand_category.asp?brandNbr=2
You can download the color charts for Floquil and Polly S here.
There’s no real standard colors. Rust, grimey black, roof brown railroad tie brown, steam black,rail brown, cement, aged concrete,reefer white, go with some earth tones and some greens for scenery. That would give you a good start. Floquil (oil base) is good for painting cars and track. Polly S (water base) is better for structures and scenery.