Rustoleum: "Smoke" vs "Light Machine" Gray

[Colin Len]

Does anyone happen to have photos of both of these colors? I'm trying out Rustoleum (thinned with acetone and sprayed with an HVLP) for the first time and bought some "Smoke Gray" at Home Depot. I wasn't too stoked on the relatively dark color of the Smoke Gray but it was all they had so I bought it. Ideally I was hoping to get something light since I already painted some cabinets/benches a light gray color.

I underestimated the amount of paint I'd need to repaint this cabinet and the quart I bought only covered the shelves as well as another part I was painting. Now that I have a few days until I can tackle painting the cabinet and doors I'm wondering if I should search around and see if I can get a lighter shade of gray. So maybe the "Light Machine Gray" or maybe just buy a quart of Smoke + a quart of white and mix the two?

Here's the cabinet I'm painting (I also painted the brown metal shelf)



Here's how the gray looks on the shelf



And for reference here's the light gray color I painted some of the other items in my garage (it was leftover interior house paint)

 

[sublimate]

And for reference here's the light gray color I painted some of the other items in my garage (it was leftover interior house paint)

That looks like it would match their Dove Gray.

 

[Colin Len]

That looks like it would match their Dove Gray.

Hmm, I did not see that color offered on their website, do you have a link? Specifically I'm looking for the standard Rustoleum "Stops Rust" Protective Enamel in quart or possibly gallon.

http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/protective-enamel

They also make "Aluminum" but I'm guessing that has a metallic look to it which I don't think I want. Right now I'm leaning toward mixing the smoke with white since finding the Light Machine gray doesn't seem to be very easy.

 

[FJ 432]

I've never seen a light machine gray or a dove gray by rustoleum. Aluminum is a brighter more metallic look to simulate bright aluminum.

I did not like the look of an item I sprayed with their Aluminum color. I think you're right in that you will have to mix to get the color you desire.

 

[John in OH]

I've never seen a light machine gray or a dove gray by rustoleum. Aluminum is a brighter more metallic look to simulate bright aluminum.

I did not like the look of an item I sprayed with their Aluminum color. I think you're right in that you will have to mix to get the color you desire.

Rustoleum used to sell both a "Light Machine Gray" and a "Dark Machine Gray" paint. I "think" the Smoke Gray replaced the Dark Machine Gray, but I'm not sure. Never heard of Dove, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

If you try to mix Smoke and White to get a lighter gray, make sure you start with the White and SLOWLY add small quantities of the Smoke until you achieve the shade of light gray you want. If you try adding the White to the Smoke, you'll likely end up with about 5 gal. of paint before you get the light shade you want!!!

 

[Colin Len]

If you try to mix Smoke and White to get a lighter gray, make sure you start with the White and SLOWLY add small quantities of the Smoke until you achieve the shade of light gray you want. If you try adding the White to the Smoke, you'll likely end up with about 5 gal. of paint before you get the light shade you want!!!

Thank you for this advice, I probably would have done it the other way around. Actually I was just thinking of not trying to get too crazy and was just gonna mix 1:1 and see what happens.

 

[SteveCh]

I used Rustoleum "aluminum" and it is definitely an aluminum or dull silver color. Nothing like that grey.

 

[BJ42LX]

Thank you for this advice, I probably would have done it the other way around. Actually I was just thinking of not trying to get too crazy and was just gonna mix 1:1 and see what happens.

Colin,

I second John's advice.

I painted my stairwell grey. It was a little dark so I mixed it 1:1 with a can of white for the second coat. The change in color was almost unnoticeable. This was Behr interior paint, but I'd expect the same results with Rustoleum.

 

[BJ42LX]

Looks like Light Machine Gray is only available in gallons in the Professional line:

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/professional/high-performance-protective-enamel

Smoke seems to be more widely available.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Here's another angle on the project. We all tend to think gloss is going to look best in this sort of application -- but in my experience, semi-gloss works (and looks) much better.

 

[Colin Len]

Here's another angle on the project. We all tend to think gloss is going to look best in this sort of application -- but in my experience, semi-gloss works (and looks) much better.

Thanks for your input Jack. I 100% agree and almost always prefer more subdued finishes however gloss was the only option locally - I guess that's what happens when you take on last minute projects. Rustoleum's website says they make it in semi-gloss but I can't seem to find that option available from Home Depot or Amazon (or anywhere else for that matter). Seems the other finishes are more readily available in rattle cans but not the 1qt/1gal sizes. If you have any suggestions on where I could find the semi-gloss locally (or even online if the price isn't too steep) I'd definitely opt for that for the rest of the cabinet.

Or maybe since I'll be mixing anyway I could get white in the flat finish then add gray in gloss and end up with some sort of satin finish. Although I've never tried that before so I'm not sure how compatible they are.

 

[scooternut]

Crappy cell phone pic in smoke gray, the oil based rustoleum in a can. I love the color myself.

View media item 46174

 

[PT Doc]

I used dark machine gray and hated it. Repainted with Rustoleum charcoal and really like the darker color.

 

[erikohio]

I know this post is old but the color the o.p. was after should have been "ford light gray" I think rustoleom has it in their farm equipment line, I use magic brand from tractor supply,, which is the same stuff, an oil based enamel. This is well known to be the color match for stihl light gray (that many think is white until they paint it white and see the difference). Hopefully anyone seeking this info amd stumbles across this post may receive the info they need