The Ship Model Forum

I only paint and wash my decks. Tamiya XF-78 Wood Deck Tan is a good starting point. A wash can help alter the color if need be.

I wouldn't say 'still' in the context of painting. In my view these laser-cut decks in real wood are completely out of scale and don't look like the real thing. Fine, if you want to look your model like a miniature builder's model, but not the way to go, if you want to have a really realistic look.

Paint is the way to go. There are many tutorials on the Web of differeing degree of complexity and sophistication.

I personally only use Vallejo Model Air (or their French homologue) and a German brand of artists' air-brushing paint. I use the air-brushing paints for their intended purpose as well as with paint-brushes for convenience sake. The latter in particular to apply washes over an air-brushed base-cote.

Does anybody still paint their wood ship decks rather than use the adhesive wood decking? I'm getting back to working on the TAMIYA 1/350 modern 1980's/1990's USS New Jersey battleship and having a hard time figuring out the best color paint for the wood deck. I want to continue supporting a local "mom & pop" hobby store that is only 3 miles from me rather than buying paints online if possible.
The only brands the store carries are the following:
1. Tamiya
2. Vallejo Model Air Color
3. Vallejo Model Color
4. The new Revell paints.
5. Mission Models paints
What might work from each of those brands, whether the paint is "exact" or "approximate".