Recommended Paint Colors

Ritter · Post by **Ritter** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:53 am

Hello All.

I have recently re-done the recommended paint color section of my website for WWII Micro-armor and Infantry here:

http://www3.telus.net/Ritterkrieg/colors.htm

There are still some areas I am working on, notably the US and Airborne Infantry for all nations. Have a look!

Troy

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:07 pm

Very useful Troy, especially as Humbrol have been deleting colours from their range in the last few years and trying to find a current colour to match can be hard.

My last tin of Humbrol 114 Russian Green dried up a few months back. H86 didn't seem to match too well but I had a stroke of luck when a local toy store had a clear out and re-organise of their Humbrol paints and discovered they had quite a few tins of now deleted colours still left. They had x1 tin of 114 left! A bit of a Eureka moment.

I have also tried contacting Humbrol/Airfix via their updated website to ask that some of the old colours be re-instated. Maybe others could do the same?

In the meantime your suggestions of how to mix the existing colurs is really useful.

Thanks,

Battler

isaacc · Post by **isaacc** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:11 am

Troy;

I prefer acrylics. Do you know of an equivalence table between your color chart (fine work) and colors of other brands, Polly S in particular. I checked Humbrol's website and noted that there is not a table of equivalences between their oil and water based colours. Regards.

Ritter · Post by **Ritter** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:55 am

I would really like to provide one - on the site - but currently, I do not have any info on any acrylic colors. I am thinking about a forray into GHQs and the Vallejo line. I will talk to Jim.

Troy

dougeagle · Post by **dougeagle** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:37 am

I prefer acrylics. Do you know of an equivalence table between your color chart (fine work) and colors of other brands, Polly S in particular. I checked Humbrol's website and noted that there is not a table of equivalences between their oil and water based colours. Regards.

I also use acrylics. I found that in the Model Color pamphlet that Vallejo has shows the equivalence of other paints, even Humbrol. But not all colors that Vallejo MC vs Humbrol is not shown on the MC pamphlet. One color is Humbrol #86, which is what Ritter suggests for Russian Armour doesn't match with anything in Vallejo Model color.

isaacc · Post by **isaacc** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:13 pm

I had a slew of WWII microarmour 25 years ago and at that time I used Polly S. That's why I mentioned it. After doing some research, I think I'll go with Vallejo now. I know there is a lot of research and experimentation involved in determining the right colours. I am very happy to see Troy's chart. It represents a great deal of savings for me in terms of time and effort. I'm just going to follow his chart as the proof is in the pudding when you see his work. If Troy publishes his own Vallejo equivalences I might just have to rename one of my children after him.

Yes, I found Vallejo's equivalence charts--good stuff. I'm wondering however what the definition of equivalent is. Does it mean really equal or "close enough". Without buying samples of each colour of Humbrol and Vallejo it's impossible to tell via monitors as each monitor is different as well as the posted digital swatches are not created in the same way. This becomes evident when you look at supposedly equivalent colours and they don't look the same. For example, I compared some Games Workshop colour swatches against the equivalent Vallejo swatches. The colours seemed to match, though Vallejo's were consistantly darker.

The military colours are in Vallejo's "Model Color" line. I get the impression that this line is designed for static miniatures and not gaming miniatures. I have heard that the Model Color line is not durable. Vallejo's "Game Color" line explicitly says that durability is an aspect of it but the colours are fantasy type brights. Does anyone have any experience with Vallejo Model Color and GHQ Microarmor with respect to durability? I'm wondering if one or two coats of a matte varnish would solve this supposed durability issue with Vallejo regarding gaming miniatures that are often manipulated.

Xveers · Post by **Xveers** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:43 pm

I use Valejjo Model Color exclusively for my microarmor. I find that they have decent wear after the models are painted, but I do a coat of gloss before using a matte atop it to kill the shine.

Once I've got them sealed, I find they're incredibly hard wearing, and I'm yet to have any problems at all. My only suggestion is to go with a lighter grey for the german early war camo. The "proper" color looks far too dark, almost black.

stevecolletti · Post by **stevecolletti** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:31 am

Hi guys,

I can't speak to how well it works,, but Humbrol does sell a color cross-reference chart. I've ordered one so that I can compare the colors that are discussed on this forum.
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/c ... m=HMB50000

If anyone gets one, please let me know how good a job it really does.

Thanks,
Steve

Pitfall · Post by **Pitfall** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:37 pm

I found Vallejo's charts to be useful to a point. I'm working on some Italian AFVs in 1/72 scale right now and I found the colors to be just a little bit off of the FS colors.

Once they get covered with dirt, mud, soot and blood, all paint colors usually end up looking just right!