white paint question

[Kit Basher]

I am about ready to paint a model of my 1:1 truck, like this:

Testors Wimbeldon White is a perfect match. I sprayed some on the 1:1 and you can't tell it's there. Problem is, when I spray it on a model and bring it inside, it looks really dark and yellow/brown.

I'm thinking of painting the model a whiter white, just to make it look better, even tho it's not technically the "right" color.

What would you guys do?

[roadhawg]

Personally, I would go with what looks right to the eye.

[Guest]

I agree with you. The Wimbledon White has more of an off white look to it to me. I would go with what looks right to you. Just out of curiosity,how does the model look placed on the real truck in the same light? That would be the determining factor for me.

[SuperStockAndy]

Are you using white primer?

If it's gray, that could be the problem

[mcandela]

If You need a paint that is more "whiter" than wimbeldon white, try "super white" from duplicolor. This thing is really WHITE!

[Kit Basher]

Are you using white primer?

If it's gray, that could be the problem

I am using white primer.

[Kit Basher]

I agree with you. The Wimbledon White has more of an off white look to it to me. I would go with what looks right to you. Just out of curiosity,how does the model look placed on the real truck in the same light? That would be the determining factor for me.

Strangely enough, the model still looks dark when held up against the 1:1 truck, even at the spot where I sprayed the Testors on the 1:1.

I'm going to try painting a spoon with Duplicolor and putting the Testors over that, see if it makes a difference.

Edited May 26, 2011 by basher

[Scale-Master]

Since there is less surface area on the model, even when you paint the model with the exact same paint as the 1:1 subject, the model will always look darker, no matter what color you are dealing with.

It is a light issue.

I'd suggest using Testors Classic White. It is not pure white like the Testors High Gloss White, (or tamiya Pure White), but is not as yellow as Wimbledon White (or Tamiya Racing White). It should be a good visual match.

[Kit Basher]

Thanks, Mark, it's nice to have an explanation. I've got some Duplicolor white that looks really white compared to the 1:1, but I think I'll try it on the model. If I'm not happy with that I'll try the "Classic". Thanks to all.

P.S. Testors over Duplicolor white made no difference.

[MikeMc]

duplacolor makes a linen white....

[charlie8575]

Your truck is Oxford White. Dupli-Color and Ford both offer it as touch-up paints. I'd also suggest trying white primer and gray primer on scrap and seeing what you like better.

Charlie Larkin

[Mooneyzs]

My suggestion would be if you have a local auto body paint store and if that is the original color on the truck you should be able to get the color code from your car or even they could look it up in their paint books. But you can have single stage paint mixed and pumped into an aersol can. You will pay about 8 to 12 bucks for it. I used to work at an auto body supply store back home while going to my junior college and I used to do this all the time or customers.....just a suggestion.

[Erik Smith]

Even if you painted it with the exact same paint as the full size truck the model would appear darker. As stated above, it is a scale thing. Aircraft modelers are well aware of this and I even saw a chart somewhere showing what color grays you should use for scale correctness. So, you really have to adjust the white to look brighter than the actual truck.

[Kit Basher]

Your truck is Oxford White. Dupli-Color and Ford both offer it as touch-up paints. I'd also suggest trying white primer and gray primer on scrap and seeing what you like better.

Charlie Larkin

My suggestion would be if you have a local auto body paint store and if that is the original color on the truck you should be able to get the color code from your car or even they could look it up in their paint books. But you can have single stage paint mixed and pumped into an aersol can. You will pay about 8 to 12 bucks for it. I used to work at an auto body supply store back home while going to my junior college and I used to do this all the time or customers.....just a suggestion.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but I think I'm gonna have to go with Erik on this one. The 1:1 is "Colonial White", Duplicolor and Ford no longer make that color. I could have custom paint made, but like I said, the Wimbeldon white is exactly the same as the 1:1, but doesn't look right on the model.

[Jon Cole]

I bet if you don't mention the 'color issue' to anyone looking at your model, they will never notice. You notice it (I suspect) because you have the means to do an actual visual comparison.

I also like to mention that I have never seen anyone at a model car show with a book of color paint chips.

[Kit Basher]

Thanks Jon, that is an excellent point. I'm trying to be as true to the original as possible on this build, but I'm not being nuts about it. I am persuaded to paint it what looks good, regardless. If somebody shows up with paint chips, I will tell them to go paint their own truck!