Question on color for part of F-14 engine

[ulvdemon]

Okay, I would like a little help since I am not the best judge on figuring the color of an object, especially when a number of instructions offer varying vague color options.  My current F-14 build has the section of the engine labelled dark gray, no FS color.  The picture below where the arrow is pointing seems to look more like carbon fiber so for painting purposes, would this be a dark steel or gray?  Suggestions or comments?  Or am I just that blind?

 

 

 

 

Picture was found here: http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/bill_spidle_f-14d/f-14d_159600_christine_parts/

[geedubelyer]

I think you'll get plenty of opinions on this. 

A very skilled modeller on here uses the "paint what you see" approach and his models are always outstanding. 

It's just what it sounds like. Use a colour that looks right to your eyes. Try not to be too constrained by full size paint codes etc. 

The actual panel is indeed carbon fibre so it can range from a medium grey in appearance to virtually black. 

Try experimenting on an old scrap kit or even the parts tree to see what you like. 

 

Cheers. 

[ulvdemon]

I currently have this part painted Steel from the Vallejo Metal color line, which comes off very dark.  So my sense of attempting perfection can rest and go with that!

Edited June 15, 2022 by ulvdemon

[GreyGhost]

I believe that section is carbon fiber if that helps ...

 

-Gregg

[ulvdemon]

It does, thanks everyone for the help.

[ringleheim]

12 minutes ago, ulvdemon said:

It does, thanks everyone for the help.

I am not an F-14 expert! But looking closely at that part of the plane, and in other photos, I agree that it looks like some type of composite material.   You can see the "weave" in it.

 

I wonder what 1/24 scale carbon decals would look like on your 1/32 F-14.  Not sure if you build cars/bike kits, but there are lots of carbon/kevlar/composite decal sheets out there.

 

If you want to paint it, I'd go with some sort of "graphite" type appearance.

 

Not super metallic in appearance, but not just a simple "gray" type color either.

 

Kind of a hybrid between metallic and not metallic! 

 

Here's a link to some carbon decals that might work.  (or something like this)  

 

https://www.megahobby.com/products/carbon-fiber-sheet-1-24-1-25-gofer-racing-decals.html

Edited June 16, 2022 by ringleheim