Faithfully Recreating "white Diamond"

[wdcav]

Greetings,

I'm working on AMT's 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT right now (gf got it for me for Christmas because she knows I love Chevy Avalanches and this is the closest thing she could find). I absolutely love the White Diamond tricoat. And that's what I have in mind for this kit.

My question is what color would faithfully recreate the base coat? I'm planning on doing my basecoat, then topping that with Model Master Gloss Clear Pearl, and finally capping that with some clear coat for more shine.

White Diamond isn't a straight white, and I can't really describe what it really is. Maybe a brilliant white with an Ivory tint? Not sure, so if anyone has advice for what my base coat could be, I'd appreciate it. I actually thought about buying White Diamond from Duplicolor and getting the real GM color that way, but it's a pricey option.

If you're not familiar with the color, here's a representative photo. The real color is more spectacular in person, as the pearl really comes through.

Matt

[wdcav]

Matt have you looked at or tried Tamiyas Pearl White or the new Lacquer paint from Testors called White Lightning they both look pretty close to me to the color your looking for.

George,

I dislike Tamiya paints, but I'll sure try to find the White Lightning. It may be hard though, the only place I can usually source supplies from is Hobby Lobby, and that's not all that great most the times. I had looked at some whites there. Insignia White was one, and regular old flat white was the only other they had. Wasn't sure about either's look.

Matt

[Kribblig]

If you don't like the Tamiya paints you probably won't like the Testors lacquer either as they are very similar. What about the Tamiya paint is a problem for you?

"I dislike Tamiya paints, but I'll sure try to find the White Lightning."

Trevor

[wdcav]

I typically favor Testors/Model Masters for my projects, and never have had a problem with them. I can't say that I've always been thrilled with the results from Tamiya though. I usually do ships, even built the Tamiya 1/350 styrene offerings, but never had luck with their brand paints. I no longer consider them.

But the Model Master Lacquers work great for me. Used the Silver to do my Concept Camaro last year, and it turned out to have almost a mirror finish after spraying it.. Excellent stuff, looks just like the GM concept. Still though, I typically favor MM Acrylics just for ease of thinning and cleanup.

In fact, here's a pic of my C6 Z06 I completed last year, and got brilliant results with MM. Trusted brand with me.

[Mike Chernecki]

You can try going to an autobody supply store and ask them to mixup a touchup bottle of the real thing. Or have your tried your GM dealer parts counter, they may have the touch paint for it.

[Joe Handley]

You can try going to an autobody supply store and ask them to mixup a touchup bottle of the real thing. Or have your tried your GM dealer parts counter, they may have the touch paint for it.

If it's anything like the stuff Mopar sells, you WILL want to test it out on scrap plastic. The Mopar Parts Moss Green Pearl spray touch up for my Jeep has some pretty nasty stuff in it and will hold onto the lexan used for RC bodies as well if not better than Pactra R/C and Model Master Lacquers do. I'm getting ready to shoot a HPI Wrangler Rubicon for my crawler and will even use a resperator this time around (didn't bother to read the can until after shooting the body the last time I used the stuff ) I'd bet the White Lightening wouls look really nice on that truck BTW, and you could always put the Model Master Pearl Lacquer over the top of that if you so desire.

Edited January 5, 2008 by Joe Handley

[Ayatollah]

The 1st Stage for GM's white Diamond is GM Code 40 white. You should most definitely be able to get that in Duplicolor or something like that.

[wdcav]

Thanks guys. I'll explore your suggestions. I'll post pics of it when done as well.

Matt

[Green Duster]

Try going to your local GM dealer. He should be able to order you up

a small spray can of it. Use a clear over it. If you use a good primer

you shouldn't have any problems. with the paint. I used it on a 41

Plymouth I built.