SP&S paint

[SD452XR]

I want to paint some units in SP&S. Anyone have suggestions for which paint to use? I want to paint these units in the scheme that was found on their C424, C425 and C636 Alcos.

Steve

[mmagliaro]

I want to paint some units in SP&S. Anyone have suggestions for which paint to use? I want to paint these units in the scheme that was found on their C424, C425 and C636 Alcos.

Steve

Maybe this will be some help.  I looked at some photos, and I'm no diesel guy, but it looks like you need the yellow and the gray?

The SP&S Historical society has 4 custom-mixed enamels for sale.  On their website, it says:

"Offical SP&S Paint
Four colors available: SP&S Yellow, Early Green, Broad Stripe Green, and Red Oxide. Price: $5 for each 1 ounce bottle. This is acrylic enamel (automotive paint, like Testor's) It does need to be thinned, try DuPont #8022 S"

I've used enamels mixed like this from a paint or auto store.  It's thick as glue in the can, of course.  But I had good results
thinning it 50/50 and then spraying in an airbrush.  The only caution is that you CANNOT use Dullcote over enamels
like this.  I tried that and it instantly crackled up the enamel.  Find a urethane-based dulling spray, not a lacquer-based one
like Dullcote.  I ended up just using a spray-can-bomb urethane matte spray you can buy in any paint store.  Since it was a
clear-coat, it did a good job and didn't obscure the details.

Other option:

Tru-Color sells a 1 oz bottle of "SP&S Yellow".  I saw these paints in a train shop here, and it looked like a pretty good subdued
yellow.   The shop owner tells me Tru-Color is what Modelflex paint became when it disappeared, but I do not know.    He also
said it sprays great in an airbrush, but it is thin and designed for airbrushing, so brush-painting doesn't work well with it.

----
On the gray, I'm afraid I don't have any tips.

[wazzou]

The shop owner tells me Tru-Color is what Modelflex paint became when it disappeared, ----

I think it replaced Accupaint Max.

[GN Fan]

I am pretty familiar with SP&S paint schemes, and do not recall a gray on any locomotive except perhaps one experimental paint scheme.

Tom Todd

[nkalanaga]

The Green seems to be somewhere between GN's Empire Builder Green and NP's Dark Passenger Green, but not the same as either one.  On the other hand, I seldom saw a clean SP&S diesel, as they were mostly Alcos, and smoked like steamers...

[mmagliaro]

Wazzou, you are correct.  It was Accupaint.  I didn't remember it right.

So, what is the dark color on this?
http://www.calclassic.com/alco/photos/sps4244.jpg

Is that black, just weathered so much it looks like a dark gray?  Or is it some shade of green, weathered?

[wazzou]

It's Green.  Green was the base color on the broad stripe scheme, thus it is referred to as Broad Stripe Green. 
It isn't to be confused with the early green as applied to Alco FA units, EMD F Units and the earliest GP schemes.  That color is nearly GN Empire Builder Green.
As far as the Broad Stripe Green goes, I have never applied it but I do know a few excellent SP&S modelers that I can ask. 

[SD452XR]

It's Green.  Green was the base color on the broad stripe scheme, thus it is referred to as Broad Stripe Green. 
It isn't to be confused with the early green as applied to Alco FA units, EMD F Units and the earliest GP schemes.  That color is nearly GN Empire Builder Green.
As far as the Broad Stripe Green goes, I have never applied it but I do know a few excellent SP&S modelers that I can ask.

Please do. I need something to match that green too.
Steve

[nkalanaga]

Wazzou:  I always thought the two schemes used the same green.  By the time I noticed them, in the late 60s and early 70s, they looked the same...dirty.  Although the yellow seemed to stay cleaner than the green.

[SD452XR]

I just found Tru-color makes both a SPS Yellow and SPS Green. I ordered both and am going to give them a try. Will let you guys now how they turn out.

Steve