paint mixing question

[kitnut617]

I have a copy of Humbrol's 'The Colour System' and I want to mix up a batch of Sky Type S (BS 210).  It says it's H34x160 drops, H101x5 drops, H99x4 drops and H60x1 drop.  Is there an easier way to measure 160 drops ? How much is a drop usually? Or would it just be easier to go with H90, add in some satin clear and have done with it ?

[NARSES2]

That has to be mixing instructions for a very large batch given those proportions. Not sure what a drop is but to do that mix accurately you would need a very accurate pipette ?

I'd just go down the H90 route, but then I'm lazy

[kitnut617]

Thanks Chris, but as always happens, I find an answer after I post a question --- I found a page amongst the introduction pages of the Humbrol book which gives a conversion chart.

1 Humbrol drop = 0.02 ml
50 Humbrol drops = 1 ml
700 Humbrol drops = one 14 ml tinlet.

Should have read the instructions ---- 

I've got a pipette which measures in .1 ml increments up to 1 ml so 5 drops would equal .1 ml, which would mean 160 drops would equal 3.2 ml.  I think I'll have to guess at the 1 drop ----

[Rheged]

At the risk of being accused of inappropriate levity, are these British Imperial Standard drops or S.I. Unit drops??

[kitnut617]

At the risk of being accused of inappropriate levity, are these British Imperial Standard drops or S.I. Unit drops??

Um! I think ml are ---- S.I.     

[Rheged]

At the risk of being accused of inappropriate levity, are these British Imperial Standard drops or S.I. Unit drops??

Um! I think ml are ---- S.I.     

Sorry, missed your last posting about drop sizes,  I was distracted half way through my reply..........just ignore me!

[Gondor]

At the risk of being accused of inappropriate levity, are these British Imperial Standard drops or S.I. Unit drops??

I would think that as long as all the drops used were to the same standard then which standard was used would not matter as the ratios would be the same.

Gondor

[Leading Observer]

If the drops are TOO big you could end up with enough to paint a room!

[Dizzyfugu]

I have a copy of Humbrol's 'The Colour System' and I want to mix up a batch of Sky Type S (BS 210).  It says it's H34x160 drops, H101x5 drops, H99x4 drops and H60x1 drop.  Is there an easier way to measure 160 drops ? How much is a drop usually? Or would it just be easier to go with H90, add in some satin clear and have done with it ?

IMHO, just use Humbrol 90. Measuring drops (or anything) with the enamels is just guesswork. H90 is a very good appoximation for Sky Type S. The Testors Authentic tone is IMHO even better, a bit lighter and less greenish.

[kitnut617]

I've just used H90 ---- trying to get .02 ml for one drop was a complete guess.

[Mossie]

If you were going to do it I'd have just added the lightest dab from a pin or cocktail stick, just to add the tiniest tint. It's not going to make a lot of difference in that proportion.  I've tried using a plastic dropping pipette before and never had much success, the paint coats the inside and make it's very difficult to see how much you've got.

The proportions suggest to me a colour computer worked it out.  My very first job was working in a paint lab.  You know when you go to a DIY/hardware store and can get them to colour match a paint for you?  You give the computer a selection of colours, then it compares your colour to it's stock and works out what and how much you need.

The proportions suggest that.  The state of the art may have come on since twenty years ago, but the human eye could determine the slightest differences in shade much better than the computer.    Because of that, I always say to judge colours a few inches apart, you will notice the tiniest difference if they are together.  The computer is much better at giving numbers to those differences though, the human brain is a bit flaky when it comes to that, but you will notice that two separate batches mixed from exactly the same colours will appear slightly different.