Looking for an alternative to Boyd Red - what’s your go-to BRIGHT red?

[OldNYJim]

I’ve always liked that really bright red color that Boyd Coddington used to use on all his red cars - ‘Boyd Red’ he called it, imaginatively enough...

I know Testors used to do the Boyd color range but I haven’t had any luck just yet finding an old-stock bottle of the red (although I’ve found some places listing jars of a darker Boyd red that looks closer to a burgundy than a ‘pure’ red).

So, assuming I might not be able to find exactly the color I’d like, does anyone have a particular bright red that they like?

My usual go-to is Createx airbrush colors but their red isn’t nearly as clean and bright as the examples above...and I guess I could probably find someone who can mix up a custom batch with the DuPont paint code for the Boyd color but I’m not THAT concerned about getting it exactly the same...just a really red! ?

Suggestions please, gentlemen! 

[Dave Van]

Tamiya Bright Red gloss

[berr13]

or Tamiya Italian Red TS-8

[stitchdup]

if your red isn't bright enough a coat of tamiya clear red might help.or if you want it really bright use it over flouro pink and it will almost glow

[Deuces ll]

Also gotta use a white primer underneath....

[Plowboy]

I use Dupli Color Bright Red. 

[Snake45]

Good old Testor "little botttle" #3 Red over a white or yellow primer. 

[Brutalform]

Here is DupliColor Candy Apple Red. This is with gray primer underneath. You can get different results with white primer, or a gold or a silver base, as well.  

[Can-Con]

The ultimate red , , , 

HOK "blueblood red".

[64Comet404]

Tamiya TS-49 Bright Red or TS-86 Pure Red over Tamiya pink primer. TS-49 is a touch more fluorescent to my eyes, but it's a matter of opinion.

[gman]

Tamiya has a new pink primer that can be used to intensify red color coats as well.

[Deuces ll]

2 hours ago, Brutalform said:

Here is DupliColor Candy Apple Red. This is with gray primer underneath. You can get different results with white primer, or a gold or a silver base, as well.  

That looks pretty good..... ??

[ZTony8]

Tamiya's Pure Red is the same shade as Testor 1203 red. And don't waste time or money on Tamiya pink primer. Unless you're using a transparent red ( which renders the same red as TS-49) it won't make any difference under a solid red. I know because I tried the pink under some TS-49 and white under the TS-49 and it made no difference.

 

Edited June 25, 2020 by ZTony8

[gman]

5 hours ago, ZTony8 said:

Tamiya's Pure Red is the same shade as Testor 1203 red. And don't waste time or money on Tamiya pink primer. Unless you're using a transparent red ( which renders the same red as TS-49) it won't make any difference under a solid red. I know because I tried the pink under some TS-49 and white under the TS-49 and it made no difference.

 

Good to know. I have used the Tamiya Fine White, Fine and regular Grey, and now the new Red Oxide. Love Tamiya primers, though have picked up some of the Stynylrez primer to try. Got a few panels sprayed out and was impressed, at least until my airbrush malfunctioned. I think the issue is ironed out now, and will have Stynylrez round II in the near future.

[gman]

I have a can of that Boyd Red enamel stashed somewhere. I have seen a few of Testors bottle paints with hues that are very close if not exact matches to some of those Colors By Boyd line of paints. I haven't sprayed or airbrushed any enamel for years, but may be tempted to try the Donn Yost method with remnants in my stash.

[randyc]

Boyd Red from Testors is a dark red.  That may be the gray primer though.   Boyds paints always  recommended using white primer.   My Bright red on this is Rustoleum I think.  

[Deuces ll]

Looks like Italian red.... ??

[Deuces ll]

Here's mine in Ford's race red.....

[OldNYJim]

Wow, that’s a lot of options, thanks for all the replies everyone!

18 hours ago, gman said:

I have a can of that Boyd Red enamel stashed somewhere. I have seen a few of Testors bottle paints with hues that are very close if not exact matches to some of those Colors By Boyd line of paints. I haven't sprayed or airbrushed any enamel for years, but may be tempted to try the Donn Yost method with remnants in my stash.

I can vouch for the Donn Yost technique - I really like it!

Regarding the Boyd Red - a helpful model store owner sent me a photo of the red Boyd paint that he had (thanks to the person who messaged with a lead on where to maybe find some)...he had four colors of red and the one that looks like it’s labelled Boyd Red is darker than the pics in my first post, from what I can tell;

The plot thickens!  I suspect the one fourth from left is the one I want, but it looks awful dark unless it’s REALLY thin when it goes on.

Worst case I’m out a few bucks and I end up trying one of the options above - thanks again to everyone for their suggestions!  Got a lot to choose from now!

[BlackSheep214]

Hmmm... look into Zero Paint brand...

HobbyWorld USA carries them.

http://www.hobbyworld-usa.com/Store/index.php?id_category=1123&controller=category

 

[Snake45]

Here's Testor little bottle #3 Red, airbrushed over white primer (nearly the whole bottle of it, too!), on the '72 Chevelle in the background. It's actually a little brighter than it looks in the pic. It's a really RED red. 

[Mike 1017]

In one episode he used  red over yellow . It really popped in the sun

[OldNYJim]

On 6/25/2020 at 10:09 PM, BlackSheep214 said:

Hmmm... look into Zero Paint brand...

HobbyWorld USA carries them.

http://www.hobbyworld-usa.com/Store/index.php?id_category=1123&controller=category

 

I have used their stuff before, but MAN it’s hot.  I never found the best primer to use for that, including their own - and kit plastic doesn’t seem to be getting any HARDER.

That said, they have nice a nice range - I should maybe try them again! 
 

6 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Here's Testor little bottle #3 Red, airbrushed over white primer (nearly the whole bottle of it, too!), on the '72 Chevelle in the background. It's actually a little brighter than it looks in the pic. It's a really RED red. 

That red is nice!  I did wonder if I should just try their regular red and see how I like it!  Looks good!

2 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

In one episode he used  red over yellow . It really popped in the sun

I remember that - I forget what they were painting but it makes sense that it would work well!

[Mike 1017]

It was  Corvette. Can't remember who decided to change the color