scale colour

There is always debate on what was the exact colour of a prototype. This is of course important if one is going to build a large scale museum model but small scale trains will look like well painted models rather than real if exact colours are used. Firstly, there is the question of gloss. This is only visible very close up and models seen from normal viewing angles should always be painted in matt. In any case, gloss paint will remove much delicate detail.

The lighting under which the model is to be displayed is also critical. As an example, a colour will look quite different under say 'daylight' tubes rather than 'bright white'. Recently, I had to display County Gate at a location where part of the model was under a large roof light. The bright daylight flooding over our hotel destroyed the 'feel' of that part of the model.

Colours of a small model seem to be more dark than the colours of a bigger one. Scale lighting is a percentage of white colour that should be added to make the exterior of the model more realistic. (The start colour is the colour of prototype.)

One more nuance should be taken in account (especially for historical models): Use lower percentage if you wish to get the surface that seems like just-painted; Use higher percentage if you wish to get some old and fade surface. The figure below helps to evaluate the scale lighting you need.