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Nicholas appeared in four different camouflage schemes during World War II.
   • As launched (above), she appeared in a modified Measure 12.
   • In August 1942 (right, top row), the dappled effect was painted out, leaving a two-tone appearance, which was later painted over entirely.
   • She kept this measure through her refit at Mare Island in December 1943–January 1944 but her hull number was repainted high on the bow abaft the anchor (second row, left). At Pearl Harbor, the day after she received her Presidential Unit Citation in 1944, Measure 31/24D was applied. In the only known photo taken from off the ship during this time (second row, right), she is moored alongside Fletcher.
   • Later during her second tour, she was repainted in Measure 14, overall ocean gray, which had taken on a very weathered appearance by 1945 (third row).
   • After the war, before she went into mothballs, she was repainted in overall haze gray, still with small numbers on the bow but in their original position (as shown in the bottom photo taken in 1949).