Fujimi models paint questions (Brabham BT-46B model)

[JPS_Lotus]

I think I am going to start building the Fujimi 1/20 Brabham BT-46B F1 car model, so I am just going through the initial supply preparation. I found this chart that helps decipher what color Tamiya paints match up with the Fujimi color code...

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_gunze.htm

However there are some gaps for which I cannot come up with an answer to, and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with Fujimi kits?

For the body, the Fujimi instructions list the color as H8 which translate to a gloss red. Digging around online one person said they used Model Master Bright Red on a Tamiya Brabham BT-46 kit. I wish I had the Tamiya instructions to see what red they suggested for use on their kit. But in any event, I'm thinking of going with either the Tamiya spray of Italian Red or Bright Red. I'm thinking the Bright Red might make more sense because Italian Red from pictures I've seen looks a shade too dark...but I'm curious if anyone has opinions...I attached two pictures of the real life car at the end of the post.

The next question is, does anyone know what would qualify as a "steel" color on Tamiya's color scale? The best I can come up with is their XF56 Metallic Grey.

The same goes for Metallic Red. Tamiya has a metallic red in PS-15, but nothing in the acrylics.

I know Gunze paints are much easier to match up with the Fujimi paint codes, so perhaps the better choice would be just to try and track their paints down. Hobbylinc seems to sell them, but they are on the pricier side, double what I would pay for Tamiya acrylics. Has anyone used Gunze paints?

[Monty]

I can't answer all your questions, but I can help you out on a few issues.

Gunze-Sangyo offers both an aqueous (water-based) line of paints and a solvent-based line (Mr Color). You seem to be interested in the water-based paints, which I can say from experience are excellent for airbrushing. Your biggest problem will be finding them in the US since they pulled those paints out a number of years ago. When I wasn't able to find them here, including at hobbylinc, I ended up restocking all my favorites from some place in Australia, but I believe they are also available from the UK and Poland. Guys having the same issue on other forums are reporting fair prices on both paint and shipping.

While Gunze offers a decent range of paint colors

http://www.spruemaster.com/blog/file/GSI_aqueous_colors_LRG.jpg

they don't have much in the various "metal" shades, if that matters.

HTH

[JPS_Lotus]

Thanks for the information Monty!

It looks like I may have found a place over in NYC that sells the Mr Color paints, but I need to see if they are out of stock on some of them, or if they only carry the ones listed on their website.

[Monty]

Thanks for the information Monty!

It looks like I may have found a place over in NYC that sells the Mr Color paints, but I need to see if they are out of stock on some of them, or if they only carry the ones listed on their website.

Be aware that the Mr Color paints probably won't match up with the paint numbers on your instruction sheets. Other than that, you should be pleased with their quality. Gunze offers all kinds of primers, fillers & etc. to work with these. I'm told they're pricey but well worth it. If you're looking for a reliable source for these paints via mail order, try Red Frog. I discovered them when I was looking for Humbrol enamels.

[JPS_Lotus]

Be aware that the Mr Color paints probably won't match up with the paint numbers on your instruction sheets. Other than that, you should be pleased with their quality. Gunze offers all kinds of primers, fillers & etc. to work with these. I'm told they're pricey but well worth it. If you're looking for a reliable source for these paints via mail order, try Red Frog. I discovered them when I was looking for Humbrol enamels.

How come they won't match up with the paint numbers? Based on what I read, they give two different numbers on the instructions for the paint colors. Mr Color supposedly matches up with the black box white number. Unless the information is inaccurate?

Thanks for the suggestion about Red Frog, I will have to look into that.

[Monty]

How come they won't match up with the paint numbers? Based on what I read, they give two different numbers on the instructions for the paint colors. Mr Color supposedly matches up with the black box white number. Unless the information is inaccurate?

Thanks for the suggestion about Red Frog, I will have to look into that.

Whoops! My error. I got to babbling on about the acrylics and forgot that you had mentioned that.

If you end up using some of their other items (self-leveling primers, spray-on fillers etc) let us know what you think of them.

[JPS_Lotus]

Whoops! My error. I got to babbling on about the acrylics and forgot that you had mentioned that.

If you end up using some of their other items (self-leveling primers, spray-on fillers etc) let us know what you think of them.

Will do Monty!

Funny thing, I realized the local hobby shop actually does have the paints. I never even noticed the Mr Color rack when I've gone in, then I noticed it today. Didn't have enough time to grab what I was looking for, but did notice they were out of a few colors I wanted, so I will see what the story is next time I go in there.