What paint is the best color match for Lionel's Polar Express blue?

Nobody modifying items for the Polar Express? In the past quite a few people did it.

I read on another forum that Model Master Intermediate Blue is a good match.

If you take your unit to lowes they will match a the paint perfect. Didn't think they could do it till somebody told me to tried worked out great.

Moon posted:

I read on another forum that Model Master Intermediate Blue is a good match.

Moon's suggestion looks like a good one, or at least a start. If trying to match Lionel's color, it is definitely a greyish blue paint.  

If using the airbrush paints...You could always start with the Intermiate Blue and add a few drops of dark blue until you get the hue you desire.  If your not trying to match Lionel's color exactly (if you don't already have cars to match to) then have at it...go as blue as you like.

Just a few drops of a dark blue will really change the color fast so do one drop at a time and test.

I used the Krylon Satin Burgundy on some add-on Polar Railroad freight.  It's close enough to the PE paint that it looks good to me.  Putting a flat clear over it would make it look much closer as the passenger are flat paint.  Here is a side-by-side of my repainted MTH log dump car in Satin Burgundy and a Lionel Polar Ex heavyweight...

douger posted:

If you take your unit to lowes they will match a the paint perfect. Didn't think they could do it till somebody told me to tried worked out great.

Thanks for the suggestion, Douger. Lowes, Home Depot as well as other stores who carry paint for your home do match paint samples but they're thick oil based or latex paints which are unsuitable for hobby airbrushing. Also, they only match it for cans of brush paint but can't load it in spray cans so again not a viable solution for model railroading hobbyists.

ogaugeguy posted:

douger posted:

If you take your unit to lowes they will match a the paint perfect. Didn't think they could do it till somebody told me to tried worked out great.

Thanks for the suggestion, Douger. Lowes, Home Depot as well as other stores who carry paint for your home do match paint samples but unfortunately they only match oil based or latex paints whose viscosity make them unsuitable for hobby airbrushing. Also, they only match it for cans of brush paint but can't load it in spray cans so again not a viable solution for model railroading hobbyists.

Sure wish a retailer such as Michaels, AC Moore, etc. would have similar equipment to color match acrylic or enamel paints.

I made a Ryder Express ( my version of The Polar Express for my grandson ) from Lionel 610 & 612 Tin Plate cars. I used Dupli-color engine enamel, DE1608 G.M. Blue and Krylon 8804 Gloss Burgundy, It was the best match I could find. Dupli-color is sold at Napa Auto Parts.

I forgot to mention , I'm pretty sure NAPA will custom blend any color you want. I think it's about $35.00 per spray can

Thanks for the color info Gene Maag. Btw, love your Ryder Express such a fabulously clever and endearing personalized touch for your family. You got me thinking. I might borrow on your idea and modify it for my 2016 Christmas display  possibly making a family photo montage and transferring it to boxcar side sized decals for a personalized family Holiday boxcar.

Gene, great idea and a wonderful train!

I found using Tamyia AS-19 over a very light grey primer is the closest match in a rattle can. I did 3 dome cars and a F/T B unit for my 10th anniversary streamlined set. Got to get around and get some pics and post them up. Only took me 6 years or so to finish them lol. My only gripe is microscale makes a polar decal sheet that closely matches the type set lionel uses but they don't produce it in O scale. I had to use the H.O. scale sheet and the logo is a little small.