UA787 - Laquered Steel Late WWII German Shell

The color

A shade from the Lifecolor brand listed under the code UA787. The name refers to the surface of German ammunition from the end of the Second World War: because of a shortage of non-ferrous metals, cartridge cases and parts of ammunition were made of steel and protected with lacquer, so they had a different tone and a different gloss from the earlier brass. The shade is therefore intended to imitate this surface, whether on loose ammunition in a diorama or on rounds stowed by a gun.

How the paint is used

Thin it with the thinner intended for this range and in the ratio the manufacturer states on the packaging. A foreign thinner may curdle the paint or damage the coats beneath it. Stir the contents thoroughly before use, as the pigment settles at the bottom during storage and unstirred paint has a different tone and different coverage. Apply in several thin coats instead of one heavy one; a thin coat will preserve the fine engraving and the small lettering on the bases of cartridge cases.

Painting tips

A metal surface looks believable only in contrast, so complement the shade with a dark wash in the recesses and a light drawing over the edges. Ammunition gets scuffed in transport, so it pays to let a few places show through in a different tone from the main area. Apply the paint onto a smooth and degreased surface, as a glossier surface breaks up over a coarse coat. Let the finished coat dry through properly, and only then do varnishes and decals come up.

• a modeling paint from the Lifecolor brand
• the designation UA787
• a shade named after the lacquered steel of German late-war ammunition
• thinner and thinning ratio as instructed by the manufacturer on the packaging
• the contents have to be stirred thoroughly before use

Terms of supply

The paint is supplied. Thinner, varnish and the model are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.