Iris Blue - BU12

[Boink]

Dear all you glorious IRIS BLUE English car types. As you know, Iris Blue replaced the original Speedwell Blue... and is a richer color (also used, I believe with MGs of that era). There’s nothing quite like ol’ BU-12… but short of ordering a special batch from someone like AutomotiveTouchUp (listed under 1959 Austin-Rover is this: https://www.automotivetouchup.com/choosec...el=All%20Models - and their touch-up is good), I just discovered a Rust-Oleum version that seems to be the same (and is even called Iris Blue)! True, it’s not a high-quality automotive paint and it would require a clear-coat for finish, but it could come in very handy for less visible areas in need of touch-up… like under the car or in the engine-bay, etc. Even better, if you’re planning on painting a Revell or Airfix or Gungze Sangyo model, you’ll get a nice paint job; this is actually what I got it for.

So, I’ve tried it out and it seems to work... though it MIGHT be slightly lighter (but not like a Speedwell Blue)! My problem is that I'm not convinced that the guy that painted my car used a true Iris Blue... as it seems slightly lighter than the touch-up paint and slightly darker than the spray-paint. Maybe this has to do with finish-coats.

Now, the bad news. I believe this specific color is being discontinued (or at least they’ve changed the name of it and possibly the exact tint), so you can’t run down to Home Depot and find it. However, it’s still available at – of all places – Amazon.com!!! It's called Rust-Oleum 7933830 American Accents Spray, Satin Iris Blue, 12-Ounce (at https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7933830-American-Accents-12-Ounce/dp/B000BZZ004).

 

[jlaird]

Where did the Bugeye kits come from. Why do I not know about them? Boink.

 

[Billm]

My Bugeye is a "Lindberg" model from about 1964
BillM

 

[Boink]

They frequently (?) appear on eBay. There were a couple in the last few weeks... 1:32 and 1:24 scale. Airfix are very simple but the Gunze Sangyo ones have a LOT of detail and run about $15-30 in auctions. Those models have rubber parts, chrome and a fair bit of fun stuff to paint and glue. The photo is the one I got. Tamiya models are pretty detailed as well.
There is currently one on eBay (not this photo) for WAY too much money (~$80). Still, I think it might be nearly identical to mine. I think I originally bought 3 kits, but the Gunze Sangyo models are the best I've seen. https://www.ebay.com/itm/GUNZE-SANGYO-G-3...=item3cb387f191 . I think it's so expensive because it's from Italy. I got all mine on eBay from sellers here in the States.
- Mark

P.S. - For model-builders, Testor's "Light Blue" (#1108) is a good match too.

 

[jlaird]

Oh me, look how they did that stripe, so cool.\

Thanks

 

[Boink]

That IS different. Based on typical kit parts (and what I can see in the box), I'm guess that's a decal (as one surely wouldn't want to paint that!). Wish it wasn't so expensive. Still, wait... they come up now and then (and not always in the Austin collectible stuff). AND... ta-da, one JUST appeared (like I bought): https://www.ebay.com/itm/GUNZE-SANGYO-195...=item3a6d9505c5 . They want too much for it and it's not a auction. I think I got mine for about $25 (and about $7 for shipping). These are otherwise hard to find. It does give you the opportunity to "make an offer" though.

Right now I'm on a quest for a 1:18 scale die-cast (but I don't think they're out there.

Just got my son the Revell 1/4 scale V-8 kit. He's 27 and a mechanical engineer but knows surprisingly little about internal combustion engines.

 

[jlaird]

LOL, about time he learned.

Mine is 50 and knows all about computer innards and BIOS and such but little about mechanics. A true nerd he is.

 

[Boink]

Indeed. I feel I'm a little to blame as I never put him through "car" paces like my own dad did. Truthfully, I wasn't doing much car stuff during Alex's formative years, whereas I was really into the classics back in the late 1950s (TR3, MG-TD, big Healeys). Alex took to computer stuff too, so I nurtured that. He's a classic engineer that came at it from the "intellectual" side as opposed to the greasy hands side... and I cringe just a bit when he asks me basic questions about cars. His speciality seems to be in metallurgy, and design/build of titanium and special steel widgets for marine/RR/government use; he also does a lot of failure testing of parts.

 

[Billm]

I do an lot of "failure engineering" but not the good, controlled kind!! :frown:
BillM

 

[DWeeB]

I like that IRIS blue and was wondering if anyone has seen this color in a satin or matted finish?

 

[Boink]

Actually, the Rust-Oleum IS in a satin (semi-flat) finish.

 

[DWeeB]

Actually, the Rust-Oleum IS in a satin (semi-flat) finish.

Nice, I'm gonna stop by Home Cheap-O tomorrow a pick up a can or two and do then do some experimenting.

 

[Boink]

Actually, the Rust-Oleum IS in a satin (semi-flat) finish.

Nice, I'm gonna stop by Home Cheap-O tomorrow a pick up a can or two and do then do some experimenting.

But.... Home Cheapo doesn't seem to have the one called Iris Blue (as it may be discontinued). They have something by a new name that looks similar (but I don't know). The only Iris Blue I saw was through Amazon.com.

 

[paulsherman]

I did get some spray cans someplace, a couple of years ago. Not sure where but will check. It was not Rust Oleum and is supposed to be Iris Blue-original color.

 

[paulsherman]

I bought my IRIS Blue paint in 16oz spray cans from Tower Paint in Oshkosh WI. Paid 12.95 per can in 16oz in 2007. I do not see an e-mail address on my invoice. I even forgot I had it. Shame on me. I have not tried it but will when it warms up.

 

[Boink]

I bought my IRIS Blue paint in 16oz spray cans from Tower Paint in Oshkosh WI. Paid 12.95 per can in 16oz in 2007. I do not see an e-mail address on my invoice. I even forgot I had it. Shame on me. I have not tried it but will when it warms up.

Thanks Paul. Yes, please post any details on the can. The stuff I got was for about $7.50 (but it's a Rustoleum). Can you post the maker and any other production numbers? Thanks.
- Mark

 

[paulsherman]

Mark;
The can says: Tower Paint, then custom filled with enamel, then Iris Blue (no number) and my name. Looks like a label made by Tower Paint as it is printed on a computer.

On the invoice: Under item #SPR-HEMMINGS, Under description; Custom Spray Cans-Hemmings Iris Blue.
Just in case it may help, the invoice # is:155315 and it is dated 09/15/07

I have not used any of it, so I can not vouch for the color

I would just search for Tower Paint and see what you can find.

Paul

 

[Boink]

Mark;
The can says: Tower Paint, then custom filled with enamel, then Iris Blue (no number) and my name. Looks like a label made by Tower Paint as it is printed on a computer.

On the invoice: Under item #SPR-HEMMINGS, Under description; Custom Spray Cans-Hemmings Iris Blue.
Just in case it may help, the invoice # is:155315 and it is dated 09/15/07

I have not used any of it, so I can not vouch for the color

I would just search for Tower Paint and see what you can find.

Paul

Thanks. Looks like a custom job. I'd also thought about taking in some sort of sample for a computer to read.