Raw Fiberglass Color

[Jim B]

Anyone have a decent out of the bottle color for raw fiberglass? You know, that yellowish color.

Thanks.

[jaymcminn]

Tamiya XF60 dark yellow would be in the ballpark. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

It really depends on exactly what kind of "fiberglass" you want to represent, as there are many colors depending on what resin is used, and part thickness.

Old-school polyester is often "that yellowish color", but depending on a variety of factors, can be dark yellow/brown, dark brown, and greenish yellow or dark green.

SMC (sheet molding compound) that raw Corvette OEM body panels are made from may be light to dark gray, uncoated floor panels are frequently (but not always) "that yellowish color" again, with aftermarket stuff coming in a wide variety of colored gelcoats or tinted resins too.

When epoxy is the resin system (as opposed to polyester), very light green to dark green is most prevalent, sometimes light blue or even colorless, while vinyl-ester resins tend toward the brown scale.

If you want to model a composite part accurately, it's good to research your particular application.

[Jim B]

Thanks, Bill. It's the old-school polyester stuff that was used on the 1970 Porsche 917KH. I have some Afrika Mustard around here somewhere. That might work.

[ctruss53]

To piggy back on what Bill said.  I don't think you should shoot for an out of the bottle color. Look up some photos of what you are actually trying to duplicate and then mix something close.

Depending on the application you could start with a tan color, or a warm grey, or even an olive drab, and then modify from there.

Then the fun part is also determining the sheen. Is it glossy from the resin, or is it semi-gloss?

If you play with this I'd love to see what you come up with.

[Straightliner59]

In photos of the Summers Bros. Goldenrod, it's apparent that the section of the tail that housed the 'chute tubes was thin fiberglass, somewhat resembling that of corrugated panels. It appears somewhat translucent, as well. I don't recall the colors I used (one was likely Humbrol Unbleached Linen), but the stuff applied over the base was more or less dabbed on, with a brush, to create a mottled look. It's not perfect, but it's at least an attempt!?

 

[Jim B]

Thanks for the ideas, guys.  I appreciate it.

[Force]

I have wondered about this too.
Because to replicate the look on the kind of semi translucent fiberglass parts on a Posche 917K engine is not easy.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Force

[peteski]

2 hours ago, Force said:

I have wondered about this too.
Because to replicate the look on the kind of semi translucent fiberglass parts on a Posche 917K engine is not easy.

Exactly because the real thing is translucent, and that is very difficult to duplicate on a non-translucent model version.

I seem to recall that someone here ( @Scale-Master ?) built a model of a Porsche and did a really good job simulating the fiberglass color.  Was is on a tank or maybe a blower housing? Actually I wouldn't put past him if he actually molded the miniature part out of very thing fiberglass for the ultimate realism.

[Jim B]

2 hours ago, Force said:

I have wondered about this too.
Because to replicate the look on the kind of semi translucent fiberglass parts on a Posche 917K engine is not easy.

Especially since Revell/Fujimi molded those parts in black plastic.

[Ace-Garageguy]

56 minutes ago, peteski said:

Exactly because the real thing is translucent, and that is very difficult to duplicate on a non-translucent model version.

I seem to recall that someone here ( @Scale-Master ?) built a model of a Porsche and did a really good job simulating the fiberglass color.  Was is on a tank or maybe a blower housing? Actually I wouldn't put past him if he actually molded the miniature part out of very thing fiberglass for the ultimate realism.

Pete Johnson may be who you're thinking of...

[Scale-Master]

On 4/10/2023 at 2:34 PM, peteski said:

Exactly because the real thing is translucent, and that is very difficult to duplicate on a non-translucent model version.

I seem to recall that someone here ( @Scale-Master ?) built a model of a Porsche and did a really good job simulating the fiberglass color.  Was is on a tank or maybe a blower housing? Actually I wouldn't put past him if he actually molded the miniature part out of very thing fiberglass for the ultimate realism.

Yes, I built a Jägermeister 934 and mixed a translucent paint to hide the seams on the tank and also used it on all the fiberglass parts for continuity.  Sorry, I don't have photos of it handy.

[CabDriver]

On 4/10/2023 at 5:32 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Pete Johnson may be who you're thinking of...

I’m sure I remember a thread with that build, but I’m not having much luck finding it…spectacular build, and masterful skills with replicating materials and textures!