I'm about to start building Zvezda's 1/350 scale Borodino. What current paint colors best represent the wooden deck of this ship? All the instructions say is to paint the deck "wood". Who has the best "wood" color.
Thank You for any help.
Stuart Bell

Hi Stuart!
Welcome to Modelshipwrights!
Personally, I favor ModelMasters acrylic #4673 "Wood" for this era of model subject...nice tone, not too much on either side of the spectrum...and brushes on quite nicely! Then with a light wash of a darker shade, you can vary the wood-tones to add a more realistic looking deck color, overall...
~Gunny

IMHO, I like to lay down a coat of white primer. Then use a thinned down oil paint(several different tones of dark yellow to med brown shades) on the individual planks. Almost like a wood stain. Buy varying the shades, you have a interesting deck that catches the eye, it looks more realistic than just a one color deck.

Will the same suggestions apply to the (Zvezda) Oriol? I believe so?

I have MM Enamel "Wood"... will try that one when I build the Oriol..

Ahoy James!
I can't tell you for sure, as I don't have the Oriol, but looking at other builds of the model, I would have to say that yes, it should be sufficient...as far as MM enamels, well mate, If you're going to be handbrushing these on, IMO, MM enamels are a bit heavy (especially "Wood", for some reason...maybe the certain pigment used?), and will hide the details of the deck...I would stick with acrylics, if I were you...now if you're airbrushing, and will be thinning the paint down, you should be fine...........

Thanks for the info Gunny! I usually AB enamels, but I am considering starting a small acrylic paint collection for ship building.

Look forward to thie build, Im sure I will take lots of notes! Cheers, James