Tuscon Red Paint

[backyardrails]

Hi All
I think this came up before. Where can I find Tuscon Red paint? I have a 3/4" Canadian Pacific engine and some rolling stock that I would like to refurbish.
Thanks
Bernie Grow

[ccvstmr]

Well Bernie...Tuscan red is one of those colors that's not red and not brown, but could be almost any shade in between.

Here's an idea to try...Rustoleum red primer and cover that over with semi-gloss clear coat. Have used this technique on different parts of my locomotive and a stock car I built for a friend. Carl B.

[Steve Bratina]

Hello Bernie,
CPR Tucson red can be imitated using Krylon Burgundy. I have used this on a few projects both live steam and HO. To match the original paint right out of a can is impossible due to weathering, fading and paint recipes from years ago changing to environmentally friendly stuff. Rex Smith's engines were CPR Tucson but were repainted using Krylon. The 3161 has original Tucson I believe on the ears but I am just leaving it as is due to it's history. Unless I am thinking of a different colour, take a sample or picture of what you have and try to match it on the paint isle. You could at one time take it to an auto paint supply and they could mix up something close but those stores are non essential and are closed for the foreseeable future.
Using "can ready" stuff makes touch ups much easier and close enough is good enough for the girls we go out with. Jim might have some other suggestions as he probably deals with paints more than me.
Stay safe.

[backyardrails]

Hi Carl and Steve
Thanks for the info. I might have to wait a while until everything clears up before going out.
Bernie

[RONALD]

I use Rust Oleum 5200 Series Acrylic Paint #5277402 - Chestnut Brown.

Used it to paint steel rail, RRcars, and other items.

It is to my eyes Tuscon Red.

I buy it at MSC, but others may be less $$.

[pat1027]

Model railroad suppliers carry Tuscan red though in 1-2 oz. bottles it would be expensive. It's enough to make a sample card and have some mixed. Most paint stores have a color analyzer.

I wanted box car red to paint a gondola. The off the shelf paints are good but I wanted a slight variation in the car colors. So I went for a true box car red, at least as close as I could get. Using a bottle of Floquil box car red I made a sample card and took it to the paint store. One of the issues I ran into was the color recipe the computer came back with called black in a smaller quantity than they could measure unless I wanted gallons. After a few stops I came away with a small can that was more than enough to paint the car.

[Steve Bratina]

Hello,Bernie,
When you say you are redoing a CP engine and cars, I assume we are actually talking CP Maroon and not box car red? That is why I mentioned the Burgundy colour.

[backyardrails]

Hi Steve
Yes, more of a CP Maroon. There is also diesel switcher that I want to repaint. I included 2 pictures of the type of colour I want. The paint on the engine has gadded over the years.
Bernie

[Steve Bratina]

Krylon Burgundy would be my choice. They have a few other maroon style colours you could look at which might be more to your liking. I tend to use Krylon for both live steam and HO and really like the results.

[tsph6500]

Using "can ready" stuff makes touch ups much easier and close enough is good enough for the girls we go out with. Jim might have some other suggestions as he probably deals with paints more than me.

Bernie,

Steve-o is absolutely correct when he says to avoid custom mix paint. Touch-ups are next-to-impossible. The paint will be more expensive as well.

Boxcars are usually red oxide, which can have great variations from red to orange to rust and a thousand shades in between. CPR Tuscan Red was not one of them. LOL

Check online for color samples at various retailers including industrial and agricultural suppliers. They have stuff you don't see at big box consumer stores like Home Depot, etc.

[FLSTEAM]

Her is my Gon and Caboose both painted with ACE red primer and top coated with semi gloss urethane.

Looks Tuscon Red to me....

John B

[backyardrails]

Hi Everyone
while cleaning up today, I found a tin of Tuscan Red that was previously mixed at United Auto Parts paint department years ago. Sitting on a shelf thinking I had none left. I shook it up
and it's good to go.
Thanks for all your help.
Bernie Grow