[SilverStreak] Painting the logos

["Cristi Cave" <chaya7@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Was it you, Tom, who painted some logos using "model shop paint" 
and felt that it stood up really well to weather and wind? 

We have huge issues with weather down here with the temperature 
extremes, dryness, blowing sand, and most especially strong UV 
radiation.  So since this will be so important to us, I've been   
researching it online a little.

I've learned that of the various model acrylics, Floquil acrylics are the 
only ones that 1) offer colors close to what we need, and 2) specifically 
state that they work well on metal.  I was delighted to find that Reefer 
White, a paint in the Floquil Polly Scale Railroad Colors line, was a 
PERFECT match for the background of the logo.  (I happen to have 
the paint here and looked at the color after I had painted it on a white 
card).    

The red isn't so easy.  Basically, I'm trying to find reds that have no 
black or white and very little yellow in them.  I have DTI Cherry Red, 
but it seems to have a little too much black in it.  Odd, because the 
actual DTI red (prior to solar fading) seems perfect.  Maybe Seaboard 
Air Line Chinese Red would work okay.  Under the "Model and Hobby" 
line, Polly Scale offers Red, which seems nice.     

Under the Badgers acrylic railroad colors line (now owned by Testors) I 
found CB&Q Chinese Red that might be a match.  And the Model 
Masters acrylic line (now owned by Testors) has some VERY nice 
reds.  Rot RLM 23 and Stop Light Red both look great.  Chevy Engine 
Red and Insignia Red are other possibles.  

I haven't seen a lot of suitable enamel colors yet, but I noticed that 
Testors under their Testors enamel line offers a few reds that could 
work:  Red, Cherry Red, Bright Red, and Candy Red.  (As long as the 
acrylic Reefer White is really dry, it is fine to use enamels next to it).     

I guess our main problem right now is that we really can't figure out 
exactly what kind of red the logos were originally painted.  I've been 
looking at all the photos I can find, and it seems to me that the red of 
the logo was painted to match the red of the taillights and rear 
markers--which makes the Model Masters "Stop Light Red" the perfect 
choice.  It looks great to me, anyway.  I just don't know if Model 
Masters acrylics will work on metal.

After the logo is painted, I think I'll see what kinds of clear finishes I can 
find in the automotive parts store; from what I can see here in New 
Mexico, automotive finishes are the only ones that can actually hold up 
to UV.  

Who here has painted their logos?  What kinds of paint did you use?  
What colors?  And Tom, what brand of paint did you use, and what 
color?  Does anyone have any other ideas?

Cristi