I'm thinking of adding a couple of gi-raffe cars to the museum's Polar Express consist. Does anyone know roughly what the paint colors are so that I can spray the shells to match?
And, yes, I'm fuily aware of these:
But a) I am desperately poor and b) they don't really match the paint scheme anyway.
Besides, you all know you WANT to see a gi-raffe in an elf hat, right? RIGHT? 
Thanks!
Mitch
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Mitch, contact me via email.
I airbrushed Testors/Model Masters "Intermediate Blue" with a few drops of “Dark Blue” mixed in for PE blue. I used Krylon Satin "Burgundy" for PE red. If I was doing my project over, I would experiment and find an airbrush option for PE red.
Nuffin better than a geeraff in an elf hat! Can't wait to see it.
Volphin posted:Mitch, contact me via email.
Done and done! 
Rider Sandman posted:I airbrushed Testors/Model Masters "Intermediate Blue" with a few drops of “Dark Blue” mixed in for PE blue. I used Krylon Satin "Burgundy" for PE red. If I was doing my project over, I would experiment and find an airbrush option for PE red.
Is there a reasonably close blue in Krylon? I'd as soon not airbrush anything, as I'm not really set up for it...
Mitch
The Intermediate Blue by itself is pretty close as well. You can find it in small aerosol cans at hobby shops. I've customized a couple cars using the intermediate blue and the satin burgandy. I agree the burgandy is a little strong so I would make the blue the primary color of the car with burgandy as the accent color. Just my opinion Ive done a couple custom PE cars and I think they turned out well, but not an exact match. Please post pics of your progress!
-Nick
Hello Mitch. I did not look for a spray blue - half the motivation for my project was to learn the basics of an airbrush. The PE blue is very gray, so a Krylon match may not be easy to find. With a little bit of added dark blue, I was able to get intermediate blue very close which was necessary in my case since I was painting an express reefer to set at the front of the passenger consist. Good luck.
So what colors did he use?
MartyE posted:So what colors did he use?
If you drop him an email, I'm sure he'll be pleased to give you the recipe!
Mitch
Mitch, Any progress pics?
coach joe posted:Mitch, Any progress pics?
Actually, yes!
The shells and chasses:
'
A bit of rhinoplasty:
And the gi-raffes are fitted with Rudolph noses! Still thinking about how to put elf hats on 'em. ;-)
The assembled product! The noses clear the roof openings with no problems.
Next up, figuring out Polar Express logos for the reporting boards...
Mitch
Inspiring
Hats may be tricky. If they prove to be PITA, how about a red neck dickie or scarves with white fleece trim?
Heh! Maybe some twist tie scarves. Not a bad idea!
Mitch
Another winner Mitch. very nice!
Bob
Hey Mitch, did you ever post up the finished pictures of these guys? I'd love to see em!
Volphin posted:Hey Mitch, did you ever post up the finished pictures of these guys? I'd love to see em!
What you have above is as far as I got so far. They are a hit at the Museum, though!
Mitch
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Done and done!
Is there a reasonably close blue in Krylon? I'd as soon not airbrush anything, as I'm not really set up for it...
Mitch
I have used Tamiya AS-19 Intermediate Blue for my P.E. cars. It's in a rattle can and is darn near a exact match. The Testors Intermediate Blue is more matched to Lionel's Polar Railroad line. Found this guide hunting around for something else.
Here is the red in Home Depot latex. I will have to look at the other can at the museum to get you the blue.
@RickA posted:Found this guide hunting around for something else.
Do you remember where did you found this? Were there any others, for instance non-Polar Express?
I ask because Lionel seems to have it's own color matching problem at times. It would be helpful to know if these exist for other products and to review them for accuracy.
Mike
@scott.smith posted:
Here is the red in Home Depot latex. I will have to look at the other can at the museum to get you the blue.
No way I would use latex paint!!!!!
@Big Jim posted:No way I would use latex paint!!!!!
Why? Do you know something about latex paint that the rest of us don't?
Mike
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Do you remember where did you found this? Were there any others, for instance non-Polar Express?
I ask because Lionel seems to have it's own color matching problem at times. It would be helpful to know if these exist for other products and to review them for accuracy.
Mike
I couldn't find any others
Ok. Thanks.
The one you found seems to indicate that they're relaying the correct info on color to their supplier.
The question remains, not specifically here in this thread but in too many others on this site, why aren't cars or engines being received in these correctly-specified colors?
Mike
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Why? Do you know something about latex paint that the rest of us don't?
Mike
It is not model paint!
Thank you Rick.
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Why? Do you know something about latex paint that the rest of us don't?
Mike
Yeah, ……it’s designed for walls…..
Pat
@Big Jim posted:It is not model paint!
Jim and Pat, I see your points and I get them, but ...
There appears to be a contraction in the general paint business, leaving fewer general colors and finishes in standard spray cans. And then an even bigger contraction in model paint, leaving fewer of the typical very specific colors we've come to depend on and very little sold in spray cans.
It seems we all have only two choices:
1.) Go for a nice finish that looks good and wears well but doesn't quite match in color
or,
2.) Match the color nicely but lose the finish.
These folks apparently prefer number 2, and that makes sense especially if they consider their models to be toys.
Personally I gave up when I recently found out that the Testor's color called German Silver matches Lionel's postwar silver nicely, at least on some F3's, only to find out that they reduced their color offerings substantially, eliminating many of them, including this one.
Soon we'll all have to be Masters of the Craft, mixing our own paint like back in the early days of scale modeling, just to be able to do a decent job.
No more average hobbyists.
Mike
@Big Jim posted:It is not model paint!
HAHAHAHA! So that's why RC airplane guys use it? LOL. I've airbrushed thinned latex for decades. It cleans up easily, creates a tough finish and takes decals nicely. Any pigment with a carrier is fine as long as you apply it properly. https://www.rcgroups.com/forum...x-Paint-for-Aircraft
Scott did you spray the Behr's?
Mitch did those gee raffs ever get hats or are their ossicones, forgive the mis-spellng, still cold?
@coach joe posted:Scott did you spray the Behr's?
Yes, that is the only way this works. BTW here is the Polar Express Blue.
I recommend using primer first and after spraying your paint and the paint cures I suggest using a clear enamel coating.
Scott Smith
We do have a local paint company, James T. Davis paints and you can get them match and produce any color in automobile paint. That's the good news; the bad news is that for 3 small cans, it cost me $120.00. So I can get matching, incrediably durable paint that could endure outside in a Pennsylvania winter that costs too much or I can get a less durable paint that matches for under $8.00.
Scott Smith
Y'all can knock yourselves out using that stuff, it ain't going on my models!!!
@coach joe posted:Mitch did those gee raffs ever get hats or are their ossicones, forgive the mis-spellng, still cold?
(insert "diamond cutters" joke here)
Mitch
No hats.
I used Krylon Burgandy and Dupli-Color Engin Enamel DE 1608 G.M. Blue, from the Auto Parts store, for my custom Tin Plate Polar Express, renamed Ryder Express for my Grandson. The enclosed photos don't show the true colors because of the lighting, but they look great in real life.
@gene maag posted:I used Krylon Burgandy and Dupli-Color Engin Enamel DE 1608 G.M. Blue, from the Auto Parts store, for my custom Tin Plate Polar Express, renamed Ryder Express for my Grandson. The enclosed photos don't show the true colors because of the lighting, but they look great in real life.
How cool is this with the kids pictures Why didnt I ever think of this Goint to do it with a subway My grandkids will love it
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