Vader ANH "Gunmetal" Color?

[SgtFang]

Just wondering, has this been nailed yet? I know the Boba guys on Dented Helmet have all of Boba's original colors figured out and have found spray can equivalents for them as well, but I was wondering if there was a definative gunmetal for Vader yet? So many of the ones I've seen look far too silver both in person and in photos.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

-Sarge

 

[darthgordon]

Well the guys at Valspar claim to have supplied the paint that was used by Lucasfilm. They say the gunmetal color used was something called black pearl... I believe. That's what they claim... so don't string me up if they lied.

 

[defstartrooper]

Well the guys at Valspar claim to have supplied the paint that was used by Lucasfilm. They say the gunmetal color used was something called black pearl... I believe. That's what they claim... so don't string me up if they lied.

For ESB/ROTJ yeah not ANH

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Honestly, I have heard of no official LFL source who has confirmed this regarding the OT movies, so I think it's safe to assume it was only for the PT. Just speculation, but the Black Pearl is very dark, nearly black - looks similar to what was used for the DP helmets.

 

[darthgordon]

For ESB/ROTJ yeah not ANH

I knew I forgot to mention something. Yeah, ANH was actually a brushed on paint. I have no idea what that was.

Honestly, I have heard of no official LFL source who has confirmed this regarding the OT movies, so I think it's safe to assume it was only for the PT. Just speculation, but the Black Pearl is very dark, nearly black - looks similar to what was used for the DP helmets.

PT helmet didn't have a two tone paint scheme.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

PT helmet didn't have a two tone paint scheme.

His chest armor did.

 

[ob1al]

I thought the PT helmet still used two tones of black?

Might be wrong about that, but I recall speculation.

The most common gunmetal for ANH Vader here in the UK is audi gunmetal grey, IIRC.

But as it was handbrushed, what I did on my most recent helmet was mix an accurate as possible colour using artists acrylics and use that.

Al

 

[Darth Voorhees]

Ive tried the valspar, and like nohumorman mentioned, its very very dark, almost black and you really cant see it at all.

Ive used duplicolor truck and SUV dark shadow grey #T299. Been told by a few people it looks spot on for ESB/ROTJ. heres a couple of pics.

 

[SgtFang]

Oooo! I like that! Really subtle!

Do they sell the duplicolor in non-spray cans? I'd want to brush it on after all.

Thanks!

-Sarge

 

[Slasher X]

The duplicolor only comes in cans to my knowledge. What you can do is spray the can into a ceramic bowl and use a brush to apply. That gives a very nice result I think as the enamel begins to set up as you brush and the tacky paint combined with brush application gives a neat surface texture and really brings out the brush strokes.

That being said I have tried the duplicolor and I think it is too bright. I used a combination of folkart acrylics for my ANH helmet that just sold in the JY (sequin black metallic, gunmental, & aniiversay silver). The mix was 2:1:1

The duplicolor is a few shades brighter than this paint mix.

 

[godaiking]

Ive tried the valspar, and like nohumorman mentioned, its very very dark, almost black and you really cant see it at all.

Ive used duplicolor truck and SUV dark shadow grey #T299. Been told by a few people it looks spot on for ESB/ROTJ. heres a couple of pics.

Nice looking Vader there!

Just curious: Where is Duplicolor spray paint sold at? Home Depot? I'm thinking of customizing the gunmetal section of my JB V1 shoulder armor to closer match my JB V2 helmet. I wonder if they're similiar.

-Joe

 

[SgtFang]

Nice looking Vader there!

Just curious: Where is Duplicolor spray paint sold at? Home Depot? I'm thinking of customizing the gunmetal section of my JB V1 shoulder armor to closer match my JB V2 helmet. I wonder if they're similiar.

-Joe

It's an automotive touch up paint- you can find it at most car stores, I've just been trying not to make any trips out until gas drops below 3.00 again.

-SArge

 

[wannab]

As far as using it out of a spray can to brush with, I read a thread (I think on white armor board) about turning the can upside down and spraying all of the propellant out (completely) then punching or drilling a hole in the can and then pour the paint out -- neat trick.

Doug

 

[Darth Voorhees]

Thanks Godaiking! still need capes tho! :$

Yea, like SgtFang mentioned, It is an auto touch up spray paint. Any car accessory or parts place like pepboys, Strauss stores, autozone etc should have it.

Ive also just tried out a duplicolor metallic black, and it seems spot on to the valspar stuff. I used it to do a ROTJ helmet, i was trying to duplicate the look of the helmet in the first scene of the film where Vader speaks to the commander about hie "apparent lack of progress". The grey tone looks its darkest in this scene and the helmet is incredibly shiny, and pretty much appears all black, so i was going for that look.

heres where im at so far. i just finished painting it.

if you like this look better, ill get you the item number of the paint if youd like.

 

[kalkamel]

I used Tamiya acrylic paint on mine, product code is X-10 Gunmetal. Its a tad darker than the Duplicolor but I liked the way it looked when I handbrushed it onto my lid. Pics:

Here's a comparison of my ANH lid with my ROTJ lid which was painted with the Duplicolor gunmetal: