My first armor project is a Tamiya Tiger I (late), and I’m using the recommended (of course) Tamiya acrylic colors as stated in the instructions. Namely, XF-60 (dark yellow), XF-61 (dark green), and XF-64 (red brown). Now that I’ve done some of the painting it’s become obvious that the colors on my model don’t come close to matching the colors as shown on the kit box illustration. The box shows dark yellow as a “golden” color, while the actual paint has a distinct greenish cast to it. The box shows dark green as a “medium” green, while the actual paint appears so dark as to be almost black. The red brown is similarly off. Does anyone out there know if either of these two sets of colors are correct, and if so, which one? Thanks,
Here’s something you might consider, download a color chart from one of many hobby suppy websites, the colors are accurate. I use colors for HO scale model RRs, WWII armor and WWII aircraft so as you might guess I have learned to cross reference many colors.
Having multiple areas in the model hobby I have to think about cost of paint as well. I use acrylic craft paints for all the models, scenery and weathering, they adhere to plastic, wood and metal. I mix them with blue windshield wiper fluid for airbrushing ( about 50/50 ) and plain water for hand brushing. As someone who grew up in the '50s I know what is like to go from spray paint to acrylics. Also having lots of experience with painting in the Navy taught me about painting models. Start with thin layers and build them up as you go, that’s true with acrylics.
There are most colors represented with craft paints and they come in 2oz. squeeze bottles from HobbyLobby, WalMart or other craft stores. And yes the names of the colors are craft-oriented like: Pineapple Yellow, Leaf Green, Morning Blue and many, many more but if used straight from the bottle many will match the colors for what I mentioned. All of these paints will dry very well when a hair dryer on low heat is used, they set up fast and will take a gloss coat nicely, also they are available in gloss as well, several of my 1:48 scale Navy planes are done in High Gloss Blue.
Apple Barrel and Anita’s are two of the name brands.
There is a ton of info on weathering with colors as well that I can pass on, but start with the basics then go form there.
I have used craft acrylics as well. I like the infinite/cheap possibilities with using them. A lot of time you dont need to primer if you have a cream resin piece with olive plastic. The color stays even toned. Bill’s right, forget box art. Follow the instructions or quality reference pictures.
I almost half wonder if Tamiya has tweaked their colors a bit. I recently did a Pather with the usual Tamiya colors and while the Yellow and the Red seemed about normal, my XF-61 Green was was the near black that you describe. Although the colors in the box photo may have been shifted a bit, I know that I’ve seen probably hundreds of photos of German armor painted with those colors and not once have I ever seen the green apperaing so dark.
well that could be because the Germans actually were using an olive gren, much lighter in tone. not sure why tamiya tweeked it, but you can never really argue over correct colors from WWII.