"Lionel Dealer Layout Green" - Need mix formula for paint color

Can you take a small sample to one of those suppliers? They may be able to computerize the sample for you. You could also call Lionel, but I' be surprised you will get anything. 

Rustoleum Satin #7737 Spruce Green is the closest I have found in ready to go, off the shelf paint.

granted, this is rattle can, but it works.   if you want a gallon, just create a sample on some wood, and take it to your paint place for them to computer match it.

Another thought:  you might contact TW Trainworks and see what green they use on the display type layouts they have built over the years.

I think I still have my paint sample card from Home Depot for the paint I used on my Lionel PW-style layout. I’ll check this evening and post the name.

Why not just get some color swatches and eyeball what looks good to you, under your own layout lighting conditions. "Authentic Lionel" colors fade over time and may not always be accurately depicted in photos due to lighting etc. Lionel wasn't necessarily using precise color formulas on their display layouts over the years.

johnstrains posted:

I think I still have my paint sample card from Home Depot for the paint I used on my Lionel PW-style layout. I’ll check this evening and post the name.

That would be great, if you have it handy.

I will also have a look at that Rustoleum product, as another possibility.

I am not sure where I would ever find an actual sample to have computer matched. That is why I am looking for a color that someone has already used, and is happy with.

Jeff

A forum member who goes by christopher2035 built a post war layout a few years ago and painted it green as one would have been painted back then. Here's the link to a thread he posted regarding the build.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/new-layout-pics

If it's what you're looking for he might remember the color.

Mike

Hopefully Jagrick will chime in.
He has done some beautiful restoration and reproduction work on Lionel dealer displays.

mowingman posted:

johnstrains posted:

I think I still have my paint sample card from Home Depot for the paint I used on my Lionel PW-style layout. I’ll check this evening and post the name.

That would be great, if you have it handy.

I will also have a look at that Rustoleum product, as another possibility.

I am not sure where I would ever find an actual sample to have computer matched. That is why I am looking for a color that someone has already used, and is happy with.

Jeff

Jeff, The green (Behr paint at Home Depot)  I used was "Park Picnic." The code on the paint sample is P-390-7. As you might expect there are loads of green shades that might suit a Lionel PW style layout so check around.

Another tip:  I frequently have the paint guys make up 2-3 sample sizes of different shades and then I paint them on pieces of scrap wood to see how they turn out. An easy and inexpensive way to "test drive" different shades 'til you find what you like.

That's a good color!   Behr Park Picnic P390-7

here's the monster thread with various photos of some originals. The D-1601 on the third page is the shade shade of green for the fascia board and the transformer board that looks original to my eye.

remember the camera photos and your computer screen will alter the shade.

You can use it to find some others also to help your point of reference for the shade that your eye likes. Be sure to use a white primer( the same mfg. recommended for that class of paint) with the shade that you purchase for the dry color to be what you expected.

Thanks guys. I will get a sample of that Behr color and use it as a starting point. I am sure we all have memories of those layouts colors that differ. What seems right to one, may not seem right to someone else, and of course, as mentioned, there were many variations.

Jeff

Did some (or many?) of these factory display layouts have sawdust "grass" sprinkled over freshly applied paint? Because that's another factor that would affect the overall appearance. "Grass" gives some mottled scenic variation to the appearance which looks better than a uniform paint finish.

Ace posted:

Did some (or many?) of these factory display layouts have sawdust "grass" sprinkled over freshly applied paint? Because that's another factor that would affect the overall appearance. "Grass" gives some mottled scenic variation to the appearance which looks better than a uniform paint finish.

Yes, exactly. Was thinking the same thing the other day when I replied above.

I have managed to pick up several full bags of Lionel 919 “grass” and am getting ready to try that while re-doing my PW-style layout. Will test it out on some scrap wood first using the-sprinkle-it-on to wet paint approach.

You may get some good tips from this thread on building a D-148 by Andrew B.  I recall that he found a method to make the 919 stick to the base paint well.

See what think you about this Benjamin Moore "Cocoa Sand" for a base earth tone.

EDIT: read Andrew B.'s post of 3.5.15 on his grass application tip.

moved the D222 upstairs in train room and moved some stuff around-running out of room!

Seeing this thread has been ressurected here are some shots of my Dealer Display Layout (D-105) showing the green paint I used. It is indeed Behr Park Picnic as mentioned above.

One more shot. Am happy with results so far. Top level complete. Finishing lower level soon.