News from my Local Hobby Shop

Well, that pretty much sucks.  So, after Testor sells out of paint they will make no more. Who else supplies model paint?

Butch 

Scalecoat (Weaver) and Tru Color both make excellent Model Railroad Paints.I happen to like Scalecoat II.

Wow... Floquil and Pollyscale are brands that go back as far as I can remember!  Times continue a changin'.  

David

I guess I'll be making a run to a train store -- or two or three so I can stock up. Any idea how long paint holds up in unopened bottles?

I have started using Tru-Color they have some great color matches. I think it is harder to spray. 

Scalcoat is a great paint I like it a lot. 

Matt,

I have some that is 20 years old easy.  Keep it in a cool dark place and it says good for a long time.  that first mixing after it has sat is a pain but the paint was good.

Wow!  That really is pretty bad news, even though there are some viable alternatives available.  As David noted, some of those brands (and their respective selections) go back a good many years, and some are/were true fixtures in the hobby.  I'm not sure if anyone has offered a wider variety of RR paints than Floquil, and Pactra has long been a great source for military model paints.

Isn't this kind of similar to manufacturers no longer making decals anymore?  For example, when is the last time microscale printed new waterslide decals for O scale?

It makes me sad too...

These folks have it in stock

http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-b...;cat_s=RH&mfg_s=

Well, since most of my current model building is structures, discount store and big

home store rattle cans work, and my rolling stock building is mostly free-lance, but

for people wanting to match a prototype RR color, this ain't good.  I do work with

artist acrylics, too, but mixing and matching colors can be a pain.

I tend to be a brand loyal type of person. For me to change and try another brand of an item there has to be a very good reason, such as rave reviews. I will stock up on my most used colors.

Change is inevitable but the last few years there has been so so much. Its exhausting just to keep up with it all. 

Im sure the company had a lot to consider making a move like this. I wish them well. 

Well now, that really sucks, as Floquil is the only paint I have ever used for over 40 years. My airbrush wouldn't know how to act using anything else. It's a real shame because it was a good product and had a long shelf life, as long as you kept the jar top & cap clean. I kinda remember years ago they had to move making Floquil to Canada because of the solvent base (Dio-sol anyone) wasn't acceptable to the government. They then changed to a different thinner which is when, I believe, Testor's acquired them.

If anybody remembers for sure, refresh my memory.

Thanks.

Buzz     

micromark carrys floquil.better get steam engine black for touch ups.concrete paint for scratch building buildings was first rate.smoothest paint to use in a spray gun.maybe the Chinese will make it.

Yea with lead paint!

The scoop straight from the horse's mouth

 Dear Valued Partner,
 I am writing to inform you about changes that are
 taking place at the Testor Corporation. For over
 80 years, we have provided premium paints and finishing
 systems to the craft and hobby industry.

 Today, we announced that we are transforming our
 business in order to more effectively address the
 changing needs of our consumers and their interests.
 We've made the decision to exit the following businesses
 within the Testor® Brand family - Pactra®, Floquil®,
 Polyscale®, and ColorArtz®.

 This will enable the Testor Corporation to return to
 our foundation of success – providing premium, innovative
 product that inspires creativity. We will continue to
 accept orders and ship product for a limited time based
 on available quantities. Going forward, the following
 brands will be critical to our success and development –
 Testor®, Model Master™, and Aztek®. These brands will be
 infused with marketing support, innovation and operational
 efficiencies. In support of this, we have announced a
 consolidation of operations at our Rockford facilities.

 Over the next several months we will provide updates
 critical to your order and delivery needs as well as
 product availability. We assure you there will be no
 disruption to service during this transition. Our
 commitment to the Testor brand has never been stronger.
 By implementing these changes, and the ability to leverage
 all of Rust-Oleum's world class services, we are more
 strongly poised to take your business to the next level
 through product and merchandising innovations, and
 increased customer intimacy.

 Please contact me or your sales manager directly with
 any questions. We appreciate your business!

 Best Regards, Kristin J. Schiro Director of Sales & Marketing

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Wow!  Talk about excessive corporate speak!  

Oh, boy!

I have only used a few Pactra and many traditional Testors (model master?) All of my paints are at least 18 years old now. Many(not all) of the Pactras dried in the bottle even some unused. The others (only says testors on the label) survived at about a 90% ratio (all opened) I turn the bottles over once or twice a year even if not used.

I went "testors (MM?) only" in the 80's I didn't care for the pactra to much. I do a lot of brush work, oil based enamel is my definite preference overall.

 Dear Valued Partner,
 I am writing to inform you about changes that are
 taking place at the Testor Corporation. For over
 80 years, we have provided premium paints and finishing
 systems to the craft and hobby industry.

 Today, we announced that we are transforming our
 business in order to more effectively address the
 changing needs of our consumers and their interests.
 We've made the decision to exit the following businesses
 within the Testor® Brand family - Pactra®, Floquil®,
 Polyscale®, and ColorArtz®.  .........................................

Sounds more like they were bought out or got a new CEO, that in either case has

no idea what business they are in or would like to be in?