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The great Vallejo paint challenge


Foghorn Leghorn

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Some of us have found that Vallejo paints don't ... erm... exactly match with what they're supposed to be. There's been discussions on BM about Vallejo colours so I thought it was time to do something about it.

I've set up a spreadsheet (see link at bottom) showing the best matches for the Vallejo paints I've got, using FS595b as a reference, plus comments about colour matches. If it's successful then there's other plans, eg Vallejo DIY colour mixes etc.

I can only do so much with my limited range of Vallejo paints so I need your help fellow BMers. There's a number of ways to help:

1: Send me a sample of colour on white card or white plasticard and I'll do the rest
2: Email me a list of your Vallejo colours matched to FS595b
3: Email me a spreadsheet of your Vallejo colour matches (spreadsheet template supplied, see below)
4: Send unwanted bottles of Vallejo so I can colour match them, p&p is at your cost though.

If you're interested in helping, either post a message here or PM me. BTW, I'm only using FS595b as a reference point as BS, RAL or Pantone would complicate matters.

A first working draft of the spreadsheet is available (bear in mind it's a WIP), send me your email address and I'll email it or you can download it (see below). The spreadsheet is free (always will be) and updates will be posted on this thread.

Neil

The spreadsheets: Send me your email address and I'll send you the spreadsheet/s direct

OR

See my latest post.

Edited by Foghorn Leghorn
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Sounds like a great idea.

Would a common base for the paint help? Say something like Vallejos own primer..or Tamiya white primer? Hopefully that would reduce variations due to differences in the stock being painted on.

Just a thought.

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Would a common base for the paint help? Say something like Vallejos own primer..or Tamiya white primer?

I've done my samples on matt white card so if anything a white primer base will do. We'll never get a truly accurate samples as some might not stir the paint enough and vallejo batches can vary anyway.

I did think about 2 sets of samples (grey and white) but I reckon that would only complicate matters :rolleyes:

Neil

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Neil I know you contributed to my thread about the paint sets but I'm wondering if it would be worth an email to Alex Vallejo? According to his email reply he has a 'specialist' working on this and I'm sure he'd be open to helping with this.

Just a thought.

Ced

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but I'm wondering if it would be worth an email to Alex Vallejo? According to his email reply he has a 'specialist' working on this and I'm sure he'd be open to helping with this.

Hi Ced

Hmm, good question, tricky one to answer. On the face of it, it's a logical idea but what I'm doing here is amateur sleuthing :) He's a professional and it's his career, there are many people out there more knowledgeable than me on the subject so I don't feel comfortable saying "Your colours are wrong, here's what I think" which is essentailly what I'd be doing.

It would be great if he took an interest in this thread but he's probaby got bigger fish to fry. Feel free to drop him an email about this thread but it's worth waiting to see whether this idea is a runner on BM first.

Edited by Foghorn Leghorn
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As I am one of those who likes the idea of Vallejo Model Air paints but has so far been unable to get along with them due to mismatched colours etc. I think this is a great idea and I hope it is successful.

Duncan B

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Not to put too fine a point on it, Foghorn, but these colour measurements are to be made indoors? In what sort of light?

A lot of the FS chips won't match, in the strictest sense of the word. How wordy do you want us to be in describing where a Vallejo lies between two or three FS chips?

Besides the gray in your sample spreadsheet, are there any others that you have measured that we need not measure?

Do you want any Game or Game Air series?

(My computer security did not like the second sample spreadsheet and would not open it.)

Edited by Tom Hall
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Hi Tom,

colour measurements are to be made indoors? In what sort of light?

I'm comparing them in daylight window light and indoor light cool white fluorescent. But as long as the person compares their sample with FS in the same lighting (whatever that is) then I'm happy because ...

I'm not trying to be 100% accurate, just trying to give some general guidance of what kind of colour it is, eg Vallejo light gull grey is obviously not LGG, in fact it's nearer to RLM2.

Lighting will make a diffierence (as will an individual's perception and their eyesight) so I'm working on the theory that any kind of guidance is better than none.

A lot of the FS chips won't match,

True, I went with FS as the best known colour guide for modellers. Unless we use pantone there will always be problems matching some colours, I'm aiming for the best match possible hence some of my matches say, for instance, FS ******* + blue (or whatever).

Besides the gray in your sample spreadsheet, are there any others that you have measured that we need not measure?

All my Vallejo camo colours are in my full colour vallejo chart01 (http://ul.to/buaiu4ms) I do have some primary colours to go through but I thought I'd concentrate on camo colours first.

Do you want any Game or Game Air series?

I went with model color, model air and panzer aces as they're generally available but I'm happy to include other Vallejo ranges. For instance if there was a perfect match for LGG in Game Air I'd jump for joy :)

(My computer security did not like the second sample spreadsheet and would not open it.)

Hmm, interesting. There are 3 files:

vallejotemplate1

vallejo chart01

Vallejo01 (zipped folder with template and chart)

All were scanned and passed by AVG. Which one was a problem? What security software do you run?

Neil

Edited by Foghorn Leghorn
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Okay, thank you. On third try was able to open "Vallejo spreadsheet paint chart (Version 01)", which has your list.

Edited by Tom Hall
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  • 2 weeks later...

Update:

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted. Tom Hall has sent some paint info and I have added my collection of primary colours to the list. Vallejo chart V02 is now available (see links listed below), I've removed the previous links in this thread.

Other than that, no other info has arrived. The chart's been downloaded 16 times and the template 6 times, so this project is either a slow burner or stillborn. Nonetheless, I'll keep the list updated as more paints are added.

Neil

File links

Vallejo paint chart V02 and blank template: http://ul.to/clnye0og

Vallejo paint chart V02: http://ul.to/buaiu4ms

Vallejo blank template: http://ul.to/o9h7xje8

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  • 1 month later...

FWIW, here are my thoughts about Vallejo paints for WW2 French planes:

  • Dark Brown - Model Air 71.029
  • Khaki Green - Model Air 71.016
  • Dark Blue Grey - Model Air 71.047
  • Light Blue Grey - Model Air 71.046
  • M.S.406 Interior Apple Green - Model Color 70.970
  • D.520 Interior - Model Air Dark Blue 71.005
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Many thanks Dimmy I'll add them to the list

neil

Hello Neil,

I'm sorry but I can't open any of your .xls files even with Google converter :( Did you find good Vallejo equivalent for LGG already?

I'm not trying to be 100% accurate, just trying to give some general guidance of what kind of colour it is, eg Vallejo light gull grey is obviously not LGG, in fact it's nearer to RLM2.

Due to my mistake English I couldn't say better :) That was exactly my thoughts when I first saw Vallejo official recommendation to mix Soviet WW2 Light Green from 3 parts of Light Grey 051 with 1 part of White 001. I think you could feel my opinions on it :) By the way, if I'm not wrong they still print this recommendation with their chips and catalogs even 10 years after I've tried to contact them. That's why I've decided what it'll be great to find best possible Vallejo paints by myself.

So if you wish I'll post more info about suitable Vallejo paints for modeling WW2 planes.

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Hello Neil,

I'm sorry but I can't open any of your .xls files even with Google converter :(

Did you find good Vallejo equivalent for LGG already?

So if you wish I'll post more info about suitable Vallejo paints for modeling WW2 planes.

Hmm, strange that you couldn't open the file. Are you using MS windows, Apple OS or Android? I've uploaded a csv file, see link below.

No :( I have not found a vallejo for LGG. Some people have said silver grey is the best match but I've not got that bottle

Yes, please send me more suitable Vallejo paints, I'll add them to the list

regards

Neil

Vallejo paint list as a csv file:

http://ul.to/gayvy3ta

csv is a common file format that should open up on virtually any computer, although the screen format may not be right and you'll have to alter it

I've also uploaded it to googledocs, here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146294KpKNG7OgiAcFNAZR2VXbUQLwAcO5WkMpKflqMo/edit?usp=sharing

Edited by Foghorn Leghorn
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Hmm, strange that you couldn't open the file. Are you using MS windows, Apple OS or Android?

I've also uploaded it to googledocs, here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146294KpKNG7OgiAcFNAZR2VXbUQLwAcO5WkMpKflqMo/edit?usp=sharing

Hello Neil,

Great, GoogleDocs works OK for my Mac OS, thank you! :)

No :( I have not found a vallejo for LGG. Some people have said silver grey is the best match but I've not got that bottle

Just a week ago my friend started PBY in ASW1 scheme and he visited me to select Vallejo paints for his kit. So I hope this my photo will help you a little too :)

c2fd99b29cd113234ce21b1ac12d6510.jpeg

ANA 620 Light Gull Grey - Model Color 989

ANA 621 Dark Gull Grey - Model Air 49

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Paint chart updated with Dimmy's information.

I've decided to concentrate on google docs from now on rather than file downloads, it ensures everyone can view the file. If you want a copy of the spreadsheet then PM me with your email address.

Vallejo list at :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146294KpKNG7OgiAcFNAZR2VXbUQLwAcO5WkMpKflqMo/edit?usp=sharing

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  • 1 month later...

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