www.MG42.us

is this Dunkelgrau ? I am trying to get some paint lined up for my 34 Lafette restoration. I am not sure I can get a good sample from the Lafette itself because of faded, nicked, and unflat surfaces.

Go to sherwin-williams say you want an oil based satin enamel. Mixed as RAL 7021. It is still in the computer along with all of the other colors. My Buddy who is the manager tiped me off. It is dead on perfect. The base I think is SW All Perpose enamel.

That's strange. I have heard and read that Europen 1930's - 1940's RAL colors are NOTHING like the RAL color set today. We have had this issue with DunkelGelb for years. Look in the back of a book that (I think) is called "Whermacht camo colors 1939 - 1945." It has swatches made from original paint (which I would assume have changed color over time) and they aren't exactly what I would expect or what most people think is correct.

I just might try it with the DunkelGelb and see what comes out. Ha!

auburnmg34 wrote:Go to sherwin-williams say you want an oil based satin enamel. Mixed as RAL 7021. It is still in the computer along with all of the other colors. My Buddy who is the manager tiped me off. It is dead on perfect. The base I think is SW All Perpose enamel.

You are correct. I went to SW, and the numbers did come up in their computer. But they were not, or unwilling to guarantee that they would come out correct. I guess I could get a quart mixed up and try it. The book mentioned above is good...however, the swatches are small and would be difficult to get a good scan off them. It is said that the swatches in the book are a tad dark, but I guess they were made that way (according to the author) because if you would take that color and spray it out on a larger surface, it tends to lighten up due to more surface area and light reflextion.

TC

Yup. Darker also because the older paints tend to fade, even when covered and not exposed to light. I think that's why he darkened them, to compensate for time.

Also remember that the paint was thinned/reduced with whatever they could get their hands on. Sometimes even diesel or gas. That would effect the color I would think.

I guess I need to decide if I want the "fresh out of the factory" color shade or the "experienced" faded look.

The inside of the ammo can and bolt box are the closest to the swatch in the book.

TC

Color matching 60 year paint Is not the way to go. Of course the new RAL 7021 may be a little different than a 60 year old chip of lead paint that my have been thined, but if you use the proper base i.e. oil based all purpose satin enamel you would fall well into the acceptable spectrum of say 20 war time lots of 7021 if they were new. Thin it 80/20 put a little japan dryer in to dull and speed dry time, and shoot it though a cheap gun. I just don't think you can get any closer to the original process. I have two cans of 7021 at my house I'll take pics of samples along with a few other popular RAL's

auburnmg34 wrote:I have two cans of 7021 at my house I'll take pics of samples along with a few other popular RAL's

Auburn:

Please do, I have several things that need painting

MikeD

auburnmg34 Thank you!
Looking forward to the pic's!
TC

auburnmg34 wrote:Color matching 60 year paint Is not the way to go. Of course the new RAL 7021 may be a little different than a 60 year old chip of lead paint that my have been thined, but if you use the proper base i.e. oil based all purpose satin enamel you would fall well into the acceptable spectrum of say 20 war time lots of 7021 if they were new. Thin it 80/20 put a little japan dryer in to dull and speed dry time, and shoot it though a cheap gun. I just don't think you can get any closer to the original process. I have two cans of 7021 at my house I'll take pics of samples along with a few other popular RAL's

Still waiting for pics !

well I went to SW and had them mix up a quart. Once the kid called another store to find the color. (huh, RAL, never herd of it.) Mixed it up and brought it home. I think you are right, it's dead on! Took some pic's with and without flash. It's a bit too shiny (Satin), but maybe an additive like Japan dryer or something can help with that.

I can't wait to check out some of the other colors.

TC

Hi Tomcatshaas,

Looks like you're all over it from Sherman Williams but this link could help you out>>
http://www.1944militaria.com/equipment_spray_paint.htm

These guys sell spray and brush on matched from unissued original german hardware. Good luck cause I'm wanting to paint some of my basket drums. Nivek Doom

nivek doom wrote:Hi Tomcatshaas,

Looks like you're all over it from Sherman Williams but this link could help you out>>
http://www.1944militaria.com/equipment_spray_paint.htm

These guys sell spray and brush on matched from unissued original german hardware. Good luck cause I'm wanting to paint some of my basket drums. Nivek Doom

Thanks Nivek,

I was going to go with them at first, but I have been told their paint is a bit thin, and scratches easy. I am assuming it is not oil based. I wanted an oil based paint, so I went with SW. It is a dead on match. Also, I went with an oil based red oxide primer from Valspar. It's right on the money too.

TC

Hi folks:

About a month ago, I got a copy of Chory's book from an out of print book search outfit. Paid all of $15.00 and post I'll bet it cost more than that new

Anyway, I sprayed a piece of metal with 1944's "Gelbbraun", and it was a match for Chory's first variant of "Dunklegelb" RAL 7028. I've got a can of their "Feldgrau", which matches his RAL 6006. Before I went on vacation, and before the book showed up, I'd gone to the Sherwin Williams store up in Gillette, and they found the RAL colors amd mixed me a quart of 7021 "Dunklegrau"...it's a good match to the book too.

So...I've established that one of my gurttrommels (hqu 42) was originally 7021 over 8012 primer, and later oversprayed with (1st.) 7028. Post war, it was re-sprayed OD by the Yugos or whoever. S-W doesn't have a formula for any of the three 7028 shades, but I think the samples would scan....at least I'm gonna try.

MikeD

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAL-Farbsystem

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