Vallejo Paint Colors
Last updated March 12, 2026
Vallejo Paint Colors: Complete Reference
Introduction
Vallejo is the most comprehensive paint range available to military modelers — over 500 colors across Model Color, Model Air, Metal Color, and Surface Primer lines. They’re true water-based acrylics in 17ml dropper bottles at ~$3-4 each, and for WWII US colors specifically, Vallejo’s Model Air range often provides a more accurate match than the Tamiya color kit instructions call for.
About Vallejo paints
Acrylicos Vallejo has been making paints since 1965. Their model paint division spans four product lines that matter to scale modelers: Model Color (70.xxx) for brush painting, Model Air (71.xxx) pre-thinned for airbrushing, Metal Color (77.xxx) for metallic finishes, and Surface Primer (70.6xx) for preparation. Between them, the range covers over 500 colors — more than any competitor.
Vallejo paints are true water-based acrylics. They thin with water or Vallejo’s own airbrush thinner, clean up with water while wet, and produce minimal odor. The dropper bottles (17ml for Model Color and Model Air, 32ml for Metal Color) deliver more paint per dollar than Tamiya’s 10ml jars, typically at $3-4 per bottle.
The most important thing to understand about Vallejo: Model Color and Model Air are different formulas. Model Color is thick and opaque, designed for brush application. Model Air is pre-thinned for airbrushing. Don’t airbrush Model Color without heavy thinning, and don’t brush Model Air without expecting thin, transparent coats. They share some color names but they’re not interchangeable.
Kit instructions usually reference Tamiya numbers, not Vallejo. That’s fine — our cross-reference charts map every relevant Tamiya color to its Vallejo equivalent. And for WWII US military colors specifically, Vallejo’s Model Air range often provides a more accurate match than the Tamiya color the instructions call for.
On this page
Looking for equivalent colors from other brands?
Find matching paints across Tamiya, Vallejo, AK Interactive, Mr. Color, and Mission Models.
Color accuracy note: On-screen colors are approximations only. Actual paint will vary based on monitor settings, lighting conditions, application method, and number of coats. We recommend testing on scrap material before applying to your model.
Model Color
Whites, Ivories, and Flesh Tones
13 colors
70.766
Cream White
70.815
Basic Skin Tone
70.820
Off White
FS 17875
70.842
Gloss White
70.845
Sunny Skin Tone
FS 32544
70.860
Medium Flesh Tone
70.918
Ivory
FS 37855
70.919
Cold White
70.927
Dark Flesh
70.928
Light Flesh
FS 31670
70.951
White
FS 37925
70.955
Flat Flesh
FS 32516
70.993
White Grey
Yellows and Oranges
14 colors
70.764
Military Yellow
70.805
German Orange
FS 32356
70.806
German Yellow
FS 32356 (Dunkelgelb)
70.837
Pale Sand
FS 33798
70.851
Bright Orange
70.858
Ice Yellow
70.911
Light Orange
70.915
Deep Yellow
70.916
Sand Yellow
70.917
Beige
70.948
Golden Yellow
70.949
Light Yellow
70.952
Lemon Yellow
70.953
Flat Yellow
Reds and Pinks
16 colors
70.803
Brown Rose
70.804
Beige Red
FS 31433
70.814
Burnt Red
70.817
Scarlet
70.829
Amaranth Red
70.835
Salmon Rose
70.859
Black Red
70.908
Carmine Red
70.909
Vermillion
FS 31302
70.910
Orange Red
70.926
Red
FS 30160
70.944
Old Rose
70.946
Dark Red
70.947
Dark Vermillion
70.957
Flat Red
FS 31136 (Insignia Red)
70.958
Pink
Violets and Purples
7 colors
70.802
Sunset Red
70.810
Royal Purple
FS 37100
70.811
Blue Violet
70.812
Violet Red
70.945
Magenta
70.959
Purple
70.960
Violet
Blues
25 colors
70.752
Infantry Blue
70.772
Medium Grey Blue
70.807
Oxford Blue
70.808
Blue Green
FS 35275
70.809
Royal Blue
FS 35095
70.839
Ultramarine
70.840
Light Turquoise
70.841
Andrea Blue
70.844
Deep Sky Blue
70.898
Dark Sea Blue
FS 35042 (USN Sea Blue)
70.899
Dark Prussian Blue
FS 35048
70.900
French Mirage Blue
FS 35164 (Intermediate Blue)
70.901
Pastel Blue
FS 35190
70.902
Azure
FS 35231
70.903
Intermediate Blue
FS 36176
70.906
Pale Blue
FS 35352
70.925
Blue
70.930
Dark Blue
70.943
Grey Blue
FS 35177
70.961
Sky Blue
FS 35466
70.962
Flat Blue
FS 35180
70.963
Medium Blue
70.964
Field Blue
70.965
Prussian Blue
FS 35052
70.966
Turquoise
Greens
30 colors
70.823
Luftwaffe Camo Green
FS 34095 / RLM 82
70.827
Lime Green
70.833
German Camo Bright Green
RLM 82
70.838
Emerald
70.850
Medium Olive
70.857
Golden Olive
70.887
US Olive Drab
FS 34088 / ANA 613 (WWII USAAF Olive Drab)
70.888
Olive Grey
70.889
Olive Brown
70.890
Refractive Green
70.891
Intermediate Green
70.892
Yellow Olive
70.893
US Dark Green
FS 34079 / ANA 631 (WWII USAAF Dark Green)
70.894
Camo Olive Green
70.895
Gunship Green
70.896
German Camo Extra Dark Green
70.897
Bronze Green
70.920
German Uniform
FS 34158
70.922
Uniform Green
70.924
Russian Uniform WWII
FS 34127
70.942
Light Green
FS 34230
70.954
Yellow Green
70.967
Olive Green
70.968
Flat Green
FS 34128
70.969
Park Green Flat
70.970
Deep Green
FS 34090
70.974
Green Sky
70.975
Military Green
70.979
German Camo Dark Green
FS 34052 / RAL 6003
70.980
Black Green
Browns and Earth Tones
39 colors
70.740
Camo Middle Brown
70.762
Grey Brown
70.767
Desert Brown
70.768
BC Dark Brown
70.769
Mustard Brown
70.818
Red Leather
70.819
Iraqi Sand
FS 33531
70.821
German Camo Beige WWII
FS 33303 (Dunkelgelb Base)
70.822
German Camo Black Brown
RAL 8017
70.824
German Camo Orange Ochre
70.825
German Camo Pale Brown
70.843
Cork Brown
70.846
Mahogany Brown
70.847
Dark Sand
70.856
Ochre Brown
70.871
Leather Brown
70.872
Chocolate Brown
70.873
US Field Drab
FS 30118 / ANA 617 (WWII US Field Drab)
70.874
Tan Earth
70.875
Beige Brown
70.876
Brown Sand
70.877
Gold Yellow
70.882
Middlestone
70.912
Tan Yellow
FS 33245
70.913
Yellow Ochre
FS 33434
70.914
Green Ochre
70.921
English Uniform
FS 30145
70.923
Japanese Uniform WWII
70.929
Light Brown
70.940
Saddle Brown
FS 30111
70.941
Burnt Umber
FS 30097
70.976
Buff
FS 33531
70.977
Desert Yellow
70.978
Dark Yellow
RAL 7028 (Dunkelgelb)
70.981
Orange Brown
70.982
Cavalry Brown
70.983
Flat Earth
70.984
Flat Brown
70.985
Hull Red
Khakis and Olive Drab
6 colors
70.816
Luftwaffe Uniform WWII
RLM 66
70.830
German Field Grey WWII
FS 34086 / RAL 7009
70.879
Green Brown
70.880
Khaki Grey
70.881
Yellow Green
70.988
Khaki
Greys
30 colors
70.759
German Tank Crew
70.760
Light Mud
70.761
Old Wood
70.763
Canvas
70.773
Violet Grey
70.836
London Grey
FS 36081
70.862
Black Grey
FS 37031
70.866
Grey Green
FS 36134
70.867
Dark Blue Grey
FS 36099
70.868
Dark Sea Green
FS 36118 (Gunship Gray)
70.869
Basalt Grey
FS 36152
70.870
Medium Sea Grey
FS 36270
70.883
Silver Grey
FS 37150
70.884
Stone Grey
FS 36357
70.885
Pastel Green
70.886
Green Grey
70.904
Dark Blue Grey
FS 35189 (PRU Blue)
70.905
Blue Grey Pale
FS 35237
70.907
Pale Grey Blue
FS 36473 (ADC Gray)
70.971
Green Grey
70.972
Light Green Blue
70.973
Light Sea Grey
70.986
Deck Tan
70.987
Medium Grey
FS 36306
70.989
Sky Grey
FS 36463
70.990
Light Grey
FS 36375 (Light Ghost Gray)
70.991
Dark Sea Grey
FS 36231 (Dark Gull Gray)
70.992
Neutral Grey
FS 36173 (WWII USAAF Neutral Gray / ANA 603)
70.994
Dark Grey
FS 36076
70.995
German Grey
FS 35044 / RAL 7021
Blacks
2 colors
70.861
Glossy Black
70.950
Black
FS 37038
Metallics
10 colors
70.800
Gunmetal Blue
70.801
Brass
70.863
Gunmetal Grey
FS 37200
70.864
Natural Steel
70.865
Oily Steel
70.878
Old Gold
70.996
Gold
70.997
Silver
70.998
Bronze
70.999
Copper
Clears, Glazes, and Transparents
14 colors
70.828
Woodgrain
70.831
Tan Glaze
70.832
Verdigris Glaze
70.834
Natural Woodgrain
70.853
White Glaze
70.854
Brown Glaze
70.855
Black Glaze
70.934
Transparent Red
70.935
Transparent Orange
70.936
Transparent Green
70.937
Transparent Yellow
FS 38907
70.938
Transparent Blue
70.939
Clear Smoke
70.956
Clear Orange
FS 32246
Mediums and Auxiliaries
17 colors
70.212
Decal Medium
70.213
Decal Fix
70.214
Chipping Medium
70.261
Airbrush Thinner
70.262
Flow Improver
70.400
Plastic Putty
70.470
Gloss Medium
70.510
Gloss Varnish
70.520
Matte Varnish
70.521
Metal Medium
70.522
Satin Varnish
70.523
Liquid Mask
70.524
Thinner
70.540
Matte Medium
70.596
Glaze Medium
70.597
Drying Retarder
70.598
Crackle Medium
13 colors
70.730
Fluorescent Yellow
70.733
Fluorescent Orange
70.735
Fluorescent Magenta
70.736
Fluorescent Blue
70.737
Fluorescent Green
70.790
Silver (Alcohol)
70.791
Gold (Alcohol)
70.792
Old Gold (Alcohol)
70.793
Rich Gold (Alcohol)
70.794
Red Gold (Alcohol)
70.795
Green Gold (Alcohol)
70.796
White Gold (Alcohol)
70.797
Copper (Alcohol)
Model Air
WWII United States — USAAF
20 colors
71.006
Light Green Chromate
Zinc Chromate / Interior Green
71.010
Interior Green
FS 34098 / ANA 611 (USAAF Interior Green / Zinc Chromate)
71.016
USAF Olive Drab
FS 34088 / ANA 613 (WWII USAAF Olive Drab)
71.043
US Olive Drab
FS 34087 / RAL 7013 / RLM 81 (WWII USAAF OD)
71.051
Neutral Grey
FS 36173 / Barley Grey (WWII USAAF Neutral Gray / ANA 603)
71.084
Fire Red
RAL 3000
71.091
Signal Blue
FS 35044 / ANA 605 (Insignia Blue)
71.094
Green Zinc Chromate
WWII Zinc Chromate Interior
71.107
US Interior Yellow
WWII USAAF Interior Yellow / Zinc Chromate Yellow
71.124
USAF Green
FS 34092 / ANA 612 (USAF Green)
71.137
US Light Green
FS 34151 / ANA 611 (WWII USAAF Interior Green)
71.138
US Sand
FS 30277
71.139
US Field Drab
FS 30118 / ANA 617 (WWII US Field Drab)
71.140
US Desert Sand
FS 30279 / ANA 616
71.279
Insignia White
FS 37875 / ANA 601 (WWII US Insignia White)
71.289
US Dark Green
FS 34102 (WWII US Dark Green)
71.292
US Loam
FS 34086
71.294
US Forest Green
FS 34079 / ANA 631 (WWII US Forest Green)
71.296
USAAF Light Grey
FS 36622 (WWII USAAF Light Gray)
71.316
No.41 Dark Olive Drab
ANA 613 variant (Dark OD)
WWII United States — USN / USMC
5 colors
71.121
Light Gull Grey
FS 36440 / ANA 620 (USN Light Gull Gray)
71.277
Dark Gull Grey
FS 36231 / ANA 621 (Dark Gull Gray)
71.295
USN Sea Blue
FS 35042 / ANA 607 (WWII USN Sea Blue)
71.299
Intermediate Blue
FS 35164 / ANA 608 (WWII USN Intermediate Blue)
71.300
Glossy Sea Blue
FS 15042 / ANA 623 (WWII USN Glossy Sea Blue)
WWII Germany — Luftwaffe (RLM Colors)
25 colors
71.003
Red RLM23
RLM 23
71.008
Pale Blue
FS 35414 / RLM 65
71.011
Dark Green RLM83
RLM 83 / FS 34128
71.015
Dark Green RLM71
RLM 71 / FS 30277
71.022
Light Green RLM82
RLM 82
71.044
Grey RLM02
RLM 02
71.055
Black Grey RLM66
RLM 66
71.101
Light Blue RLM78
RLM 78
71.103
Grey Blue RLM84
RLM 84 / FS 34424
71.104
Green RLM62
RLM 62
71.105
Brown RLM26
RLM 26
71.106
Ivory RLM05
RLM 05
71.123
Dark Grey RLM42
RLM 42
71.255
Light Blue RLM65
RLM 65
71.256
Green RLM73
RLM 73
71.257
Light Blue RLM76
RLM 76
71.258
Grey Green RLM74
RLM 74
71.259
Grey Violet RLM75
RLM 75
71.260
Light Grey RLM63
RLM 63
71.263
Green RLM72
RLM 72
71.264
Brown Violet RLM81
RLM 81
71.265
Olive Green RLM80
RLM 80
71.266
Dark Blue RLM24
RLM 24
71.267
Light Green RLM25
RLM 25
71.278
Sand Yellow RLM79
RLM 79
WWII United Kingdom — RAF
18 colors
71.009
Duck Egg Green
RAF Duck Egg Green / RLM 84
71.108
UK Azure Blue
FS 35231 / ANA 609
71.109
UK PRU Blue
FS 35189 / BS 636
71.143
UK Light Stone
BS 361
71.273
Ocean Grey
FS 36176 / BS 629
71.284
UK Light Mud
71.288
UK BSC 64 Portland Stone
BS 64 Portland Stone
71.302
Sky Type S
BS 210 (RAF Sky)
71.307
BS Medium Sea Grey
BS 637 (RAF Medium Sea Grey)
71.309
Dark Slate Grey
BS 634
71.323
BS Dark Earth
BS 450 (RAF Dark Earth)
71.324
BS Dark Green
BS 241 (RAF Dark Green)
71.400
UK Desert Pink
71.401
UK BSC 28 Silver Grey
BSC 28
71.402
UK BSC 49 Light Purple Brown
BSC 49
71.404
No.1 Duck Egg Blue
71.405
BS Dark Sea Grey
RAF Dark Sea Grey
71.408
PRU Pink
RAF PRU Pink
WWII Japan — IJN / IJA
19 colors
71.134
IJA Midouri Green
IJA Green
71.135
IJA Chrome Yellow
FS 33655 / RAL 1003
71.136
IJA Earth Brown
IJA Brown
71.285
IJA Dark Green
IJA Dark Green
71.286
IJA Olive Green
IJA Olive Green
71.287
IJA Khaki Brown
IJA Khaki Brown
71.310
IJN Deep Dark Green
FS 34058 (IJN Dark Green)
71.311
IJN Ash Grey
FS 36350
71.312
IJN Medium Grey
FS 36375
71.321
IJA Light Grey Green
FS 34424 (IJA Light Grey Green)
71.322
IJN Black Green
FS 34077 (IJN Black Green)
71.325
IJN Dark Black Green
FS 34052
71.326
IJA Grey Green
IJA Grey Green
71.331
Cockpit Emerald Green
Japanese Cockpit Green
71.332
Underside Blue Faded
IJN Underside Blue
71.416
IJA Dark Beige
71.417
Aotake Translucent Green
Japanese Aotake
71.418
IJN Medium Brown
FS 30122
71.419
Aotake Translucent Blue
Japanese Aotake
Russia / Soviet
32 colors
71.017
Russian Green 4BO
FS 34082
71.281
3B Russian Green
71.282
6K Russian Brown
71.283
7K Russian Tan
71.301
AMT-4 Camo Green
AMT-4
71.303
A-24M Camo Green
71.304
AMT-11 Blue Grey
AMT-11
71.308
AMT-12 Dark Grey
AMT-12
71.317
AII Sv. Gol Light Blue
Soviet Light Blue
71.318
AMT-7 Greyish Blue
AMT-7
71.319
A-28M Greyish Blue
71.320
AMT-1 Light Grey Brown
AMT-1
71.333
Russian AF Blue
71.334
Flanker Light Blue
71.335
Flanker Light Grey
FS 36473
71.336
A-14 Steel Grey
FS 26187
71.337
Flanker Blue
FS 35526
71.338
Russian AF Grey Blue
71.339
Russian AF Grey No.3
FS 36373
71.342
Russian AF Light Blue
71.343
Russian AF Grey No.7
71.344
Russian AF Grey Protective
71.345
Russian AF Grey No.8
71.346
Russian AF Grey No.4
FS 26360
71.347
Russian AF Dark Green
71.409
Zashchitnyi Khaki
Soviet Khaki
71.410
Zashchitnyi Camo Green
71.411
A-19F Grass Green
71.412
VVS Grey Blue
71.413
A-18F Light Blue
71.414
AEH-9 Light Grey
71.415
A-21 Light Greyish Brown
Modern Military and NATO
19 colors
71.093
NATO Green
FS 34094 (NATO Green)
71.097
Medium Gunship Grey
FS 36118 / ANA 603 (Gunship Gray)
71.111
USAF Light Blue
FS 35109
71.113
IDF Blue
FS 35177
71.120
Dark Ghost Grey
FS 36320 (USAF Dark Ghost Gray)
71.122
US Desert Armour 686
FS 33446
71.125
USAF Brown
FS 30219 / ANA 628 (USAF Brown)
71.126
IDF/IAF Green
FS 34227 / BS 283
71.141
IDF Sand Grey 73
71.142
IDF Sinai Grey 82
71.249
NATO Brown
FS 30051 / RAL 8027 (NATO Brown)
71.250
Bronze Green
RAL 6031
71.251
NATO Black
FS 37030 / RAL 9021 (NATO Black)
71.274
Aggressor Grey
FS 36251
71.275
USAF Medium Grey
FS 36270 (USAF Medium Gray)
71.276
USAF Light Grey
FS 36495 (USAF Light Gray)
71.280
Camo Grey
FS 36170
71.327
IAF Sand
FS 33531
71.348
USAF Tan
USAF SEA Tan
General Colors and Utility
106 colors
71.001
White
71.002
Medium Yellow
71.004
Blue
RAL 5002
71.005
Grey Blue
RAL 5008
71.007
Olive Green
71.012
Dark Green
71.013
Yellow Olive
FS 34052 / RAL 6015
71.014
Gunship Green
71.018
Black Green
71.019
Camo Dark Green
FS 34083 / RAL 6007
71.020
Green Brown
71.021
Black Green RLM70
RLM 70
71.023
Hemp
FS 34201
71.024
Khaki Brown
71.025
Dark Yellow
RAL 7028 (Dunkelgelb)
71.026
US Flat Brown
FS 30215 (US Flat Brown)
71.027
Light Brown
71.028
Sand Yellow
71.029
Dark Earth
71.030
Green Brown
Panzer Green Brown
71.031
Middlestone
FS 30266 / ANA 615 / BS 362
71.032
Golden Brown
71.033
Yellow Ochre
RAL 1006
71.034
Sand Brown
71.035
Camo Pale Brown
FS 30140 / RAL 8025
71.036
Mahogany
71.037
Mud Brown
71.038
Camo Medium Brown
FS 30097
71.039
Hull Red
71.040
Burnt Umber
RAL 8014
71.041
Armour Brown
RAL 8017
71.042
Dark Brown RLM61
RLM 61
71.045
US Grey Light
RAL 7033
71.046
Pale Grey Blue
RLM 76
71.047
US Grey
71.048
Dark Sea Grey
FS 36076
71.049
Medium Sea Grey
71.050
Light Grey
FS 36300 / RAL 7046
71.052
Anthracite Grey
RAL 7012 / FS 36152
71.053
Dark Sea Grey
FS 36099 / RAL 7011
71.054
Dark Grey Blue
RAL 7024
71.056
Panzer Dark Grey
RAL 7021
71.057
Black
FS 37038 / RAL 9004 / RLM 22 / ANA 604
71.074
Radome Tan
FS 23594
71.075
Sand (Ivory)
RAL 1001
71.076
Skin Tone
71.077
Wood
71.078
Yellow
FS 33655 / RLM 04 / ANA 614
71.079
Tan Earth
71.080
Rust
FS 30111
71.081
Ochre
71.082
Fluorescent Red
FS 38903 / RAL 2005
71.083
Orange
RAL 2004
71.085
Ferrari Red
71.086
Light Red
71.087
Steel Blue
FS 35052 / RAL 5011
71.088
French Blue
71.089
Light Sea Blue
71.090
Deep Sky
FS 35056 / RLM 24 / RAL 5013 (Blue Angels Blue)
71.092
Medium Olive
RAL 6003
71.095
Pale Green
RAL 6011
71.096
Panzer Olive Green
71.098
Dark Panzer Olive Green
71.102
Red
71.110
Dark Grey
BS 640
71.112
Sand
71.114
Medium Grey
FS 35237 (US Blue Grey)
71.115
Blue Grey
RAL 7016
71.116
Camo Grey Green
RAL 7008
71.117
Camo Brown
RAL 8020
71.118
Camo Grey
RAL 7027
71.119
White Grey
RAL 9002
71.128
Grey Violet
FS 36134
71.129
Light Rust
71.130
Orange Rust
RAL 2010
71.131
Concrete
71.132
Aged White
FS 37855 / RAL 1015
71.133
Dirt
71.268
German Grey
RAL 6006
71.269
Red
RAL 3000
71.270
Off White
RAL 9001
71.271
German Red Brown
RAL 8012
71.272
German Yellow Brown
RAL 8000
71.290
US Earth Brown
FS 30099
71.291
US Earth Yellow
FS 30257
71.293
US Earth Red
FS 30117
71.297
JGSDF Brown 3606
71.298
M495 Light Grey
FS 36357
71.305
Interior Grey Green
FS 34373
71.306
Sky Blue
FS 35550
71.313
Dark Mediterranean Blue
71.314
Seaplane Grey
FS 36081 / ANA 625
71.315
Tire Black
71.328
Light Blue
FS 35622
71.329
Green
FS 34159
71.330
Khaki Green No.3
71.340
Grey Green
71.341
Green Grey
71.403
Light Green
71.406
Light Slate Grey
71.407
Sky Grey
71.420
No.17 Erdgelb Earth Yellow
71.421
Pinkish White
FS 36628
71.442
Anti-Fouling Red
71.443
Faded Yellow
71.444
Wood Deck
Model Air Metallics
12 colors
71.062
Aluminium (Metallic)
FS 37178 (Natural Metal)
71.063
Silver (Metallic)
71.064
Chrome (Metallic)
FS 17178
71.065
Steel (Metallic)
71.066
Gold (Metallic)
FS 17043
71.067
Bright Brass (Metallic)
71.068
Copper (Metallic)
71.069
Rust (Metallic)
71.070
Signal Red (Metallic)
71.071
Arctic Blue (Metallic)
71.072
Gun Metal (Metallic)
FS 37200
71.073
Black (Metallic)
Model Air Auxiliaries
2 colors
71.261
Airbrush Thinner
71.262
Flow Improver
9 colors
71.240
Sulfur Yellow
RAL 1016
71.241
Mint Green
RAL 6029
71.242
Traffic Blue
RAL 5017
71.243
Ivory
RAL 1014
71.244
Sand Beige
RAL 1039
71.245
Loam Beige
RAL 1040
71.246
Yellow Brown
RAL 8031
71.247
Light Olive
RAL 6040
71.248
Brown Grey
RAL 7050
Metal Color
19 colors
77.657
Gloss Metal Varnish
77.660
Gloss Black Primer
77.701
Aluminium
Natural Metal Finish (NMF)
77.702
Duraluminium
NMF - Dural panels / WWII aircraft skin
77.703
Dark Aluminium
NMF - Weathered / shadowed panels
77.704
Pale Burnt Metal
NMF - Heat-discolored exhaust areas
77.706
White Aluminium
NMF - Fresh / bright panels
77.707
Chrome
77.710
Copper
77.711
Magnesium
NMF - Engine cowlings / castings
77.712
Steel
NMF - Steel components / landing gear
77.713
Jet Exhaust
Exhaust stacks / turbocharger pipes
77.716
Semi Matt Aluminium
NMF - Flat / matte-finish panels
77.717
Dull Aluminium
NMF - Weathered / oxidized panels
77.720
Gun Metal Grey
Machine gun barrels / engine parts
77.721
Burnt Iron
Exhaust manifolds / heat-affected areas
77.723
Exhaust Manifold
Exhaust system / turbocharger housing
77.724
Silver
77.725
Gold
Surface Primer
13 colors
70.600
White Primer
70.601
Grey Primer
70.602
Black Primer
70.603
German Panzer Grey Primer
RAL 7021
70.604
Dunkelgelb Primer
RAL 7028 (Dunkelgelb)
70.605
Rotbraun Primer
RAL 8012
70.606
Gelbbraun Primer
RAL 8000
70.607
UK Bronze Green Primer
70.608
US Olive Drab Primer
FS 34088 (USAAF OD)
70.609
Russian Green 4BO Primer
70.612
NATO Green Primer
FS 34094
70.613
Desert Tan Primer
70.615
USN Light Ghost Grey Primer
FS 36375
Tips for Using Vallejo Paints
Thinning
Vallejo paints are true water-based acrylics. Appropriate thinners:
- Water — works for basic thinning, but can break down the paint binder if used excessively. Fine for brush painting.
- Vallejo Airbrush Thinner (71.261 / 70.261) — the best option for airbrushing. Maintains flow properties and adhesion.
- Vallejo Flow Improver (71.262 / 70.262) — not a thinner. Reduces surface tension to prevent tip dry and improve atomization. Add 1-2 drops per airbrush cup load.
- Isopropyl alcohol — works but can cause paint to dry too fast and may affect adhesion. Use sparingly.
Thinning ratios:
- Model Color — brush painting: Straight from the bottle, or thin 5-10% with water for smoother flow. Add a drop of Drying Retarder (70.597) for large areas.
- Model Color — airbrushing: Thin at least 1:1 with Airbrush Thinner. Some colors need up to 2:1 thinner to paint. Model Color was not designed for airbrush — expect more work.
- Model Air — airbrushing: Spray straight from the bottle at 15-20 PSI. For finer work, add 10-20% Airbrush Thinner.
- Metal Color — brush or airbrush: Use straight from the bottle. Do NOT thin Metal Color — it disrupts the metallic particle alignment.
The Shake Problem
Vallejo pigments settle aggressively. You must shake the bottle vigorously before every use — 2-3 minutes of hard shaking, not a casual wobble. A stainless steel mixing ball (sold at hobby shops, or use a small BB) dropped into each bottle dramatically speeds mixing. Some modelers use a vortex mixer or a reciprocating saw with a bottle adapter — it sounds ridiculous but it works.
If you skip the shaking, you’ll get transparent, watery paint from the top of the bottle. This isn’t a bad paint — it’s an unshaken one.
Common Issues
Tip dry: Vallejo acrylics dry fast, and paint builds up on the airbrush needle tip during spraying. Fix: add 1-2 drops of Flow Improver to every cup. Keep a damp cotton swab nearby to wipe the tip between passes.
Poor coverage over dark primers: Model Color whites and yellows can struggle over dark surfaces. Apply a light grey or white primer first, or use multiple thin coats.
Dropper bottle clogging: The nozzles on Vallejo dropper bottles clog with dried paint. Keep a pin or thin wire nearby to clear them. Some modelers replace the stock tips with wider bore alternatives.
Chalky finish (airbrushing): Same as with any acrylic — spray distance was too far or pressure was too low. The paint dried before reaching the surface. Spray closer (4-6 inches) at 15-20 PSI.
Compatibility
Vallejo acrylics are compatible with virtually everything:
- Over Vallejo: Enamel washes, oil paints, lacquer clear coats — all fine once the acrylic is fully cured (24 hours).
- Under Vallejo: Sprays well over Vallejo Surface Primer, Mr. Surfacer, Tamiya Surface Primer, or any cured acrylic/lacquer primer.
- With Tamiya: Fully compatible. You can spray Tamiya over cured Vallejo and vice versa. Many modelers use Tamiya for base coats and Vallejo for detail brushwork.
- With lacquer clear coats: Apply lacquer clears (Mr. Color GX-112, Tamiya LP-9) in light mist coats first. Heavy lacquer application can bite through thin acrylic layers.
This reference covers every current Vallejo Model Color, Model Air, Metal Color, and Surface Primer paint as of early 2026. For equivalent colors in other brands, see our cross-reference charts or browse the Tamiya, AK Interactive, Mr. Color, and Mission Models reference pages.
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