Paint Spec

Anybody able to provide me with a BS or RAL paint reference no. for the grey that 16T mineral wagons and other unfitted wagons were painted in BR days?

Steve

 

Try the GCR, they must of used some for their Windcutter rake.

 

Or talk to TR Williamsons!

http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/paints/williamson/

They have always been able to help with my questions!

 

I did that. They provided me with the wrong colour and are now waiting for me to tell them what I want!

 

Was the grey on the minerals different to the grey on the unfitted wagon stock? I'd be surprised if it was. My suggestion would be to buy a tin of BR wagon grey from 'Precision Paints' and get it matched.

Regards

 

In reality, how accurate does it need to be?
Because wagons were rarely if ever painted with the same manufacturers paint so varying shades of a similar colour were very common.

 

Just looked at my RAL swatch - there are something like 17 pale and mid grey shades. Not quite pick a colour time!

Another point is that grey (and red, actually most!) paints change shade under the onslaught of time and especially weather. We found that with B-49 (Also, I have noted that there can be quite a change between wet, in the tin and dry, on the job paint colours). Quite confusing.
In addition to Ploughman's point about different suppliers, it was not unknown for on site colour mixing to take place!


If you have a sample, Williamsons are very good at matching.

 

to answer the op

I think, and I stress this only an educated guess, that RAL 7040 or RAL 7045 (the latter is very slightly darker) may be the colour you are after. I have no proof either way!

 

B.T.C. Spec. 32A For Covered Vehicles & Vans
Item
13 Canvass Roof Paint.
14 .....................Finishing Paint.
20 Stone Colour for Brakevan Interiors above 3' 6"...........B.S. 381C 361 Light Stone
16 Freight stock Red for lower walls up to 3' 6" & external body on fitted & piped vehicles……….BS 381C 446 Red Oxide
30 Freight stock Grey for unfitted vehicles...................B.S. 381C 693 Aircraft Grey.
75 Pale cream emulsion for interior wood surfaces of containers and vans..........B.S. 2660 4-056 of 1955. (Nearest B.S 4800 10 C 31.)