Thread: Workbench base paint color ?

I have no clue about the use of green for workbenches, but I know that 89% of houses in Darwin were painted with either Mission Brown or Mission Green after Cyclone Tracy and I recall dad saying it was because the army had it all as surplus and just gave it away. Could have been the same in the US after WW2.

You can paint you're bench any colour you fancy in a free democratic country.

The reason bench's and many machines are painted green is that is is a colour that is calming and does not distract the eye and is supposed to create a safer and more harmonious place in which to work. Although as can be seen by the bright yellow and red examples today, this seem s to have gone by the wayside

Left over house paint was my initial thought but I've seen too many painted this colour for it to be that. Also the benches are in the US and also here....cue twilight zone music...

My guess would be "army surplus green"

I'll go one further and say Government Green.
Probably a standard colour for the government departments (including the Army). Several Power Stations and water treatment plants I have worked in were painted that colour in all the workshops and offices. Walls, cupboards, steelwork, everything not just the benches.

I believe that particular shade of green is designed to repell polar bears. Can't say i've ever seen one within cooee of that colour so it must work.

I think it must be a government thing...asked an old tradesman (ex-government to boot) and he said timber was painted green and machinery/steel was blue. No further details were offered.

NCArcher, I didnt pursue the polar bear theory with him, I'll take your word for it !