Floquil Reefer White = what in Model Masters?

Pretty much any of their whites will do, but the quality of the paint will not be the same. The Floquil pigments and carriers are better than Model Masters. Especially for airbrushing.

I was under the impression that Floquil is "history", making it necessary to go to Model Masters (or something else)  There are several different whites on the Model Masters shelf.  I thought perhaps, one would be closer to the recommended Reefer White than another?  Sorry, but to say, "all would work", seems like an insufficient answer.....    

Okay, I did some digging and this is what I found....

"Like black, white is about as basic as you can get.  However, a better visual effect can be achieved by using a white that's not a pure white.  A brilliant white looks artificial and scale effect is definitely important here.  Fortunately, the Floquil brand is ready-to-use for those modelers who don't want to bother tinting.  For those who want to achieve an even more superior scale effect, it can be tinted by adding 2 full eyedroppers of Floquil grey primer to a full bottle of paint."

Since Floquil isn't an option, I'l go with the two eyedropper method.....  I'm stil interested in knowing what Reefer White looks like, (I'm assuming a slightly greyed white)  but as I say.... on to plan B.  

Well the Model Master whites that I am aware of and familiar with are: gloss, semi gloss, & flat. There may be some other whites in their auto paints line but I am not familiar with those. But the ones that I mentioned in the main line are pretty much different in finish only, not in pigmentation. As for me personally when I want a brighter or more brilliant finish, I will put down a base coat of flat white and the use a satin, semi gloss, or gloss white for the final coat. If I want gloss flat or whatever for my finish, I use clear coats for that. I am personally not a big fan of scale effect, especially for ships, because it does not take into account things like haze that naturally occur over the ocean at the distances in scale. Viewing a 1/350 model at 3 feet is 1050 scale feet- nearly 1/4 mile. But getting back to Model Master white, I stand by my initial answer that any of their whites will do. Now you may want to experiment with different brands of paint. Some brands have "warmer" or "cooler" shades of basic white and the difference is quite noticeable when seen on the same model side by side.

www.amazon.com/.../B0069FR4HW

Polly Scale is the acrylic line by Floquil.

This is a very thin paint. You will get good results only if you spray it and over a white base.

Floquil reefer white is a pure, intense white. It's not grayed out for scale effect or distance at all. I think Model Master insignia white would be a very close equivalent . It doesn't take much light gray to adjust for scale effect.  I'd add a few drops to a full bottle, test, and continue as necessary until the result suits you.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Hey, thanks StickPusher!  You brought up the very good question of "scale effect."  That is a big consideration for me.....  I'm very new to this, so I sat back when I read that line.  I guess, I assumed that scale effect was a higher level of a finish.  In other words, the way the ship would look if it were real, rather than a static model. (a James Cameron effect, if you will)  Thus, the toning down of the whites, blacks and all of the shockingly brilliant colors.  But, I can see your point; because there is something to be said about a clean, strongly bold colorful model too.  

I think I may want to go for scale effect, to make the model look a little more realistic.  

Tom, thanks for really setting me straight on that Reefer White color.  Most builders stated that they used Reefer White for the superstructure of Titanic, but I don't recall if any of them "grayed" it down for scale effect??  I guess whether to go for scale effect or not would be another Topic........  I'll be weighing the pros and cons of scale effect.  

Thanks fellows....... that was very helpful!  

No worries TJ. In a nutshell scale effect is the toning down of all colors, according to the school of thought, to give the toned down effect that distance at atmosphere has on the subject. Where it gets tricky is the smaller the scale of the subject, the more the color is toned down. In 1/32 scale we will say that is by 10%, in 1/48 by 20%, in 1/72 even more so, and by those ratios, smaller scales "scale effect" can get downright silly if one sticks to the formula ratios. Now Reefer White, if it is a brilliant intense white, makes sense to duplicating one particular effect. I live near Long Beach CA, where the Queen Mary is berthed as a floating hotel & museum. She is painted in the same colors as Titanic was, and under certain weather conditions- very clean air and cloudless skies, the white superstructure can be incredibly white and visible from many many miles away. Just as on other days, with the more typical haze of the area, she is quite muted in her colors. The paint on her is well maintained, just as if she is still the pride of the steamship line that used to own her in her heyday. Just some food for thought on your project.

Thank you for all of that SP.  It's all is very interesting!  Sounds like what you are saying is, scale effect is okay to a point, but don't get carried away!  Like in the case of the hull black.... the recommendation is a gun metal black.  It's still black, but it's not what I would call "model black."  Does that make sense?

I'm 2 hours away from the Queen Mary..... if her colors are the same as Titanic, sounds like I need to make a trip to Long Beach.......  One of these day, when I'm closer to the area, I will, for sure... Thanks for the tip.  

For black I have a recommendation.

Again Floquil- engine black or steam power black.

You must have missed my previous post abt reefer white, these colors are still available in acrylic under the Polly Scale label.

Check Amazon.

HobbyLinC also still carries Floquil.  They have the reefer white in a spay can.

I would second GMs recommendation on the Black. Floquil really had some great colors in both their enamel and acrylic railroad lines. That is one thing that really peeves me about Testors discontinuation of those paint lines. In black the had weathered black, engine black, oily black, grimy black, none of which were truly black, but more of "off blacks" for lack of a better description. You could eyeball your own mix like I do for rubber tires and road wheels on AFVs by adding dark gray to flat black. If you can't get ahold of any of the Floquil or Polly Scale colors. Try online shopping and railroad hobby stores before calling off your search. Just curious, but if you're 2 hours from Long Beach, what area are you in?

Hi GM,

No I didn't miss your post.  Unfortunately, the web address is not up and running(from the address you gave me)??  But, I'm afraid I've bought most of the paints recommended from the TRMA site.  This was the recommendation for the hull black.

20 drops ModelMaster #1795 Gunmetal

4 drops Floquil #F110017 Weathered Blk

2 drops ModelMaster #1710 Dark Green (this is airbrush paint)

I figure the dark green is for the algae??  

I'm in the Temecula area.  

Oh ok. Are you involved with the Temecula Valley model club? They have some good guys who come visit us in The OC at AMPS now and then. We go out there once a year as well. But yes, since its only a 2 hour drive depending upon the day and time of day, I highly recommend a visit to the Queen for some great reference. She is not brand spanking new like Titanic was on her sole voyage. But she is externally a long way from being a rust bucket garbage scow. Not to mention, there is fun to be had there. Some great restaurants, bars, and shops onboard.

Thanks.  That sounds like an amazing experience!  She started sailing about the same time that they turned Titanic's sister ship, Olympic, into scap metal..... Now, you've got me really looking forward to having lunch on the QM.  :-)  

I was married on board her in the ships chapel back in October of 88. She has a special place in my heart. Had the reception there as well in one of the salons. Lets just say that they still know how to put on a classy affair onboard. Sunday Brunch in the main salon is really a neat experience. On weekends and some evenings they have doubles of famous people who sailed aboard her in period attire walking the decks such as Charlie Chaplin or Laurel and Hardy, mingling with the tourists.

I don't know if you know about this ultimate paint conversion http://www.paint4models.com/.  I use this often.  I wouldnt download it though, that way its updated.  But it just gave me all the Model Masters White for Reefer White.  Actually just insgnia white (4696 acrylic) (1745 enam)  and flat white (4767 acry)(1768 enam), also calssic white (4696 acryl) (2720 enam). 

Wow, that's cool!  I used to play in a band aboard a curise ship in 1983 (Constitution) and they had a Humphrey Bogart double on one week......  He recited from Casablanca, and he had him down cold! White tux, voice, stature, cigarette,........... and nervous twitch

Thank you Ripcord,

No, I didn't know about it and no one at the hobby shop seemed to know when I asked them if there was such a thing.........  In fact, I asked them today and they said that there wasn't.  I don't know why, but it's taxing my laptop to load it.... I'll keep trying.  Thanks, that's just what I was looking for.  

If you can use Acrylics, here is where I got my latest 6 bottles of Reefer White from, you just click on each grouping to find your colors

www.internethobbies.com/flposcacmora.html

take a look at the different Blacks while you are there, you will see some interesting variations

Rex

Yea, that's a nice selection for sure.  Thanks for the tip.  And I thought Reefer White was dead and gone. I was looking for ATSF Mineral Brown, but, I believe that one, really IS dead and gone.  Anyway, I think I'm covered...... thanks to all of you.  

Last impersonator that I remember seeing on the QM was when I met my friend there for drinks at the observation bar (or something like that name?) in the front of the superstructure one deck below the bridge. Mae West ;-) and the lady was good at it.