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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Does anyone make their own colour swatches?
Wingtsun
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: July 16, 2006
KitMaker: 295 posts
Armorama: 259 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2018 - 10:01 AM UTC
I am just curious as to how many make their own colour swatches? I dab paint on pieces of pre cut cardboard and write the brand and paint names on it. I have heard of some fellows would paint the top of the bottle cap but wouldn't repetitive handling of the paint bottle cap dirty the paint sample?
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Monday, January 08, 2018 - 02:39 PM UTC
I use dropper bottles. When I mix a new color, I touch the cap to the paint. Normally, this area is never touched. However, you can dip it, in the mix again for a undisturbed color swatch.
nzgunnie
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: October 15, 2004
KitMaker: 371 posts
Armorama: 174 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 01:09 AM UTC
This is my goal for the year. I have just ordered 500 custom business cards online, with a 2" square, and lines to enter brand, code, description.

I'm going to make a template mask from 20 thou styrene to slot the card into so it lines up with the square area to let let me spray the colour in question.

I'll then file them in a folder, by paint manufacturer.
11Bravo_C2
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Texas, United States
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 01:33 AM UTC
I would, if I was mixing custom colors, and I would use Matthew's method.
mudcake
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South Australia, Australia
Joined: July 06, 2016
KitMaker: 50 posts
Armorama: 47 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 01:40 AM UTC
I use index card which I spray paint with auto grey primer to seal the surface as some model paints soak into the card and leave a different finish.
erichvon
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 17, 2006
KitMaker: 1,694 posts
Armorama: 1,584 posts
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 12:46 AM UTC
I've got a small notebook that I write down the mix and then paint a one inch square of it for visual reference. I've also got a couple of pages where I've painted in all of my greys/greens so I can compare which is best for the job I'm working on. I find it really helpful.
astursimmer
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Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Joined: July 22, 2015
KitMaker: 36 posts
Armorama: 24 posts
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 06:32 PM UTC
I airbrush both purchased paints and mixes on photo paper cut to visit card size (you get three swatches out of one 10x15 photo paper) but lately I am startin to use plastic card 0,5 mm (the thinner the cheaper) cut to same size primed with grey, as the new AK real colors somehow did not like the photo paper as Tamiya (similar) does, refusing to reach a regular coverage.
This size is great for any box storage for such visit or register cards.
I prefer to airbrush since I think it is quite difficult to reach a good level coverage with brushed acrylics.
flugwuzzi
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Lower Austria, Austria
Joined: November 02, 2007
KitMaker: 633 posts
Armorama: 599 posts
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 07:15 PM UTC
I do color swatches on plasticard.
First I paint three stripes with primer (gray, white, black) and than I spray the colors and make a notice of the color number.



cheers
Walter
Lakota
#123
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New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
Armorama: 635 posts
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 07:36 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I use dropper bottles. When I mix a new color, I touch the cap to the paint. Normally, this area is never touched. However, you can dip it, in the mix again for a undisturbed color swatch.


I try to do the same but I'm not always consistent. If I finished more models and built only one country's machines I would try more record keeping. I even bought a water color notebook to do this.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"
Nagmakava
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 18, 2012
KitMaker: 116 posts
Armorama: 110 posts
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2018 - 08:02 PM UTC
I only make IDF vehicles and in a bid to try and find the perfect and ever elusive IDF sinai grey colour(!) I've sprayed various manufacturers versions onto primed plasticard strips, labelled them up and then put a small bolt through them to keep them all together.

When i have a reference photo of a specific vehicle i can then try and match the paint..


totenkopf23
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: November 02, 2016
KitMaker: 2 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 01, 2018 - 07:27 PM UTC
I instantly thought of these ..how beuticians keep track of every nail polish
about £1.00 - £1.99
and never pay for plastic business cards...every company website sends free samples. I collect them for spare plasticard shims and small sheet.


gaz_ewart
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United Kingdom
Joined: November 26, 2016
KitMaker: 78 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 01, 2018 - 10:41 PM UTC
I'll be honest, I don't see the point. Only because there is so many variables in regards to how these woukd look on a finished model.

From the type of plastic, to the colour of the undercoat. Plus once its been highlighted / shaded, faded and weathered surley the colour will take on different hues and tonal variations.
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