Info needed: correct colours for WWII Aust vehicles

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Gina Vampire

This one more accurately shows the difference between the Original KGJ from NOS 1942 unopened tin panel created 2016 and the standard plate created by Berger held by the AWM

I think that fairly comprehensibly shows the uselessness of the AWM plate-set for the purposes of a Standards reference.

Tony's comment re the plates being the authoritative standard noted however it is now apparent the only standard more accurate ........... is cans of original unopened paint stock.

Cans of original paint can give you any shade of KG3 you could desire!

[Mrs Vampire]

Tony S

I have a slightly different take on that can of paint and would very much like a sample as I have never seen that shade before. Given it is special High temperature paint I expect the basic composition would prevent an exact match by the maker to KG3 colour plate.

It would be a boon to all of those MV restorer out there who have to put KG3 on exhaust pipes etc to heave the correct colour.

Many thanks for posting that picture and making me aware of another facet to the puzzle.

[Mrs Vampire]

Well it's done . I have now spectro'd the Berger coulor set in Melbourne as well as their KG3 sample .

I have a complete set of readings from available sources .

[Mike Cecil]

Well done, Gina: a lot of work in all of that.

Some background: From memory, the AWM's Dingo was based upon a paint layer analysis, so the status of the original paint before it was covered with the next layer could well have been weathered.

The MH tractor was as supplied by the seller in Qld (I arranged for its purchase), so it's his gloss/semi-gloss version of Light Stone. Same with the Limber and the more recently acquired No.12 FGT. I think the 25-pdr in the storage area (there is also one on display in the WW2 gallery) was done in Lustreless Acrylic, which from my limited experience with it, is never a close match to anything! In the least, it was a modern water-based paint, so a different formula to its WW2 counterpart. Conservation were always so concerned with 'off gassing' of enamel paints into storage or display areas that the then-conservation manager almost always opted for Acrylic. So I've little doubt that none of the items coloured Light stone/desert yellow in the collection are a match to each other or to a 'standard' example!

Great work, Gina. We have all learned a lot from your labours.

Mike

[Mrs Vampire]

Many Thanks Mike ...That is high praise indeed coming from you

will post the text on to you when complete.

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Well done, Gina: a lot of work in all of that.
Great work, Gina. We have all learned a lot from your labours.

Mike

Hi Gina,

I second that!

Started the repaint of my truck about 6 weeks ago in the Florite KG3 and am happy with the results.

There were no problems overpainting the Wattyl and Croda OD alkyd enamel paints.

After too many paint issues over the years it is nice to have a regular supplier who can make a consistently accurate colours.

I got the wheels, mudguards, fuel tanks, and windscreens repainted before cold and rain halted play this autumn. It went a lot faster than the first time with not having to remove grease, mud, and rust first!

As can be seen in the photo there as a substantial difference in colour to the current ADF Olive Drab which is the colour paint I have been using from the beginning on the truck.

Many thanks again Gina for all your work on this subject and for pointing me in the right direction.

Cheers,

[Mrs Vampire]

Looks very nice indeed Jacques.

[Lionelgee]

Hello Gina and Informed Others,

If KG3 cane out around 1942, does this imply that a vehicle made by Holden for the Australian Army; namely, a Chevrolet truck in 1940 would have been painted: KG2?

Or was it KG1 back in 1940?

What would the components and mix of the 1940 paintwork be?

Yes, I have 100% vested interests in the answer to these questions. Just take a glance at my signature photograph

The colour plate on my vehicle's firewall just says "Khaki". At the moment it is, "pick a green - any green"; plus surface rust!

Kind Regards
Lionel