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[tonyH]

Evenin' All,

There seem to be a few members building USCG vessels. Has anyone got a Halfords match for the light grey that they use? It seems to be like the old Vauxhall Cresta colour, sometimes two-toned with pink, but if anyone has more accurate info, I'd be grateful.

Thanks

Tony

[Admhawk]

What grey are you referring to? USCGC's are white. Here is the official color manual. http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/10000-10999/CIM_10360_3C.pdf

Here is a link to various Coast Guard colours and official numbers. http://www.44mlb.com/paint-codes-schemes.htm

Some small boats are left unpainted aluminum, they may look grey, but aren't.

The only grey ones I can think of are from the 50's.

[tonyH]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the quick response.

You've hit the nail of my problem straight on the head!

The boat I'm building is the new RB-M which, according to the manual, should not be painted above the waterline BUT most of the photos on the USCG website seem to show a pale grey finish rather than the 'all aluminium' finish of, for example, the FRB.
I've got to the point in the build of either (1) covering the whole hull with thin aluminium sheet (litho plate) or sanding/sealing and painting so I'm stuck!

Of course, it may just be a combination of age/eyesight!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Help!

Regards

Tony

[Admhawk]

Personally, I would use a Humbrol Metal coat paint. Not necessarily the polished aluminum, but one that looks close to the colours depicted, maybe a steel colour?

You'll have to experiment until you find one you like.

The aluminum gets a layer of oxidization that dulls it down and it can look pretty beat up when you are close.

[tonyH]

Thanks again Darren!

I think that part of the problem is that the prototype is definitely different from the production boats, also the fact that, according to the rules, the underwater body should be black but is, in fact, white. Have the regulations been superceded?
 
Most of the later photos show the aluminium 'sheen' while the early ones have a semi-matt finish, totally different from the production photos on the RB-M aquisition site.

The trouble is that I'm building at 1:12 and at that scale the difference is very marked.

Tony

[tonyH]

Final post Darren,

Now finally discovered that it's all in the primer protection coating!

I can now sleep!

Many thanks again,

Tony