Getting ready to paint - FINALLY. Need paint mixing advice

I had a question about the Polly Scale Boxcar Red and the Testors Panzer Olivgrun 1943. Both appear on people's lists who have used them and I did a couple paint tests tonight and I was wondering, does anyone use anything to brighten up the Boxcar Red or should I use it as is? I don't have access to Caboose, only Caboose Red which is very bright and clearly the wrong color. The Boxcar Red looks a little too brownish to me on my test strip and I am thinking I might put a drop or two of a brighter red into the bottle to warm it up slightly. Also the Olivgrun 1943 or Panzer Olive Green whichever you use, seem a little too dark when dry, so in the same vein I am thinking a drop or two of white or light gray into the POG will help. Does anyone have any suggestions on either? The other option was checking out Humbrol acrylics at another store and seeing if the Green 78 acrylic would be better. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Its a tough call sometimes mate, but ultimately youve gotta be happy yourself. Im doing colour tests myself at the moment, and using the humbrol enamels with the same issues. Most of terminal fettlers lists for the colours are perfect, but the red for the mandibles seems pretty dark - cant temember the exact number, but the colour is wine - esb mandubles are definately darker than I first thought, but there is no way the colour I have is the same as tf's - and ive practiced with it over multiple colurs, wit wool and dullcote etc.. So im experimenting with putting a few drops of red 60 in the mix. Again, its a personal choice, and sometimes down to personal preference..

I agree, the Boxcar Red I have is more like Boxcar Rustic Primer Brown! It needs to be more red, but I don't want to go too red like I have seen some others because it doesn't look right. I think I can lift the shade of the Olivgrun with a drop or two of white. Plus color charts on websites are no help! They look so different! I know the Green 78 is almost dead on the helmet color because I have seen it used, on the Humbrol site it looks emerald! I also wonder if because my tests are thicker paint, if it actually appears lighter when airbrushed. Since I will be new to airbrushing, I don't know how much it affects the color.

DV, replied to your PM.
And yes, the thickness of the paint will absolutely affect the final look! I've painted "color chips" with a brush to get a feel for how something will look, and when it's airbrushed on, it will change the appearance.
Airbrushes are a lot of fun to use! Make sure you practice with it.

superjedi said:

And yes, the thickness of the paint will absolutely affect the final look! I've painted "color chips" with a brush to get a feel for how something will look, and when it's airbrushed on, it will change the appearance.

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Agreed, what he said.

And the research and testing has been done on these colors over and over... so stick to that. Trust the work others have done for you.
So I would say for simple base color applications, DON'T MIX.... but for added tones and wearthering, Mix away.