LP-31 Dark Green 2 IJN/Zelená

The color

A rich dark green designated LP-31, which the manufacturer lists as Dark Green 2 with reference to the Imperial Japanese Navy. The shade is therefore aimed mainly at the upper surfaces of Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft from the Second World War. Real coatings varied by factory and by the aircraft's age, so treat the tone in the bottle as a starting point rather than the one correct answer; comparing it against references for your specific subject is always worthwhile.

Working with the lacquer paint

• Stir the bottle thoroughly before use, since the pigment settles to the bottom
• Thin it with lacquer thinner from the same brand; acrylic thinner is not suitable for this line
• The paint dries quickly and forms a thin, hard film that takes masking well
• Spray carefully on bare plastic, ideally over a primer, since lacquer paint is more aggressive to plastic than a water-thinnable one
• Work in a ventilated room or at an extraction booth

Painting tips

Dark green needs an even base, or differences in absorbency between plastic, filler and a sanded joint will show through underneath it. Apply it in several thin coats; one heavy coat will fill in fine surface engraving and make the model look like it was molded from a single piece. On large areas, bring the shade to life by lightening the center of panels slightly and leaving the edges darker. On Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft, chipped paint at the cockpit edges and on walkways, where bare metal shows through, is also a rewarding motif.

Terms of supply

Only the paint itself is supplied. Thinner, a primer, a final varnish and brushes are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.