Hobby color - FS36231 šedá

A neutral gray from the American standard

The code FS 36231 describes a flat gray tone with no noticeable shift toward blue or brown. In practice it appears on the undersides and sides of machines of the US Air Force and Navy in the period when pronounced camouflage schemes gave way to a uniform gray. Because it is a standardized shade, several paint makers can be matched to it safely at once.

Paint properties

The binder is water-thinnable and the surface stays semi-gloss once dry, which suits the later laying of decals. On absorbent surfaces, for instance resin freed of mold release agent, the paint can be thinned with water. On bare plastic it pays to use the thinner of the same brand, though, because water reduces adhesion and during longer work the nozzle clogs faster.

Advice on application

• The pigment settles at the bottom, so mix the bottle at the start and before refilling the cup
• Apply several thin coats, as one wet one creeps into the engraved lines
• For brush painting add roughly a quarter of the volume in drying retarder
• Do not mix it with the lacquer lines of the same maker, as the binders are incompatible

A unified base of sprayable filler helps the shade keep the same tone over plastic and over filled joints alike.

Where the color is used

• The undersides and sides of American machines in a uniform gray
• Cockpit interiors, where the standardized gray appears as a supporting tone
• Landing gear bays and the inner sides of covers

Because it is a standardized shade, it can be combined without worry with paints from other makers that carry the same number. That comes in useful when one shade runs out during a build.