Scalecoat Paint Supply

Walthers would be the biggest place I can think of, but it probably depends what color(s) you need.   If the manufacturer is out, then you're limited to whatever someone happens to have on hand.

Try Scale Model Supplies in St. Paul Minnesota. Do a google search.   I was a in Minneapolis attending a music conference for a week in  spring 2019.  While there I checked out train stores in St. Paul and this one had a lot of paint which I bought several cans and bottles while there and had them ship it to me.  Give them a try.  

@HudsonORailRoader I purchased some from hobbylinc. last year.  usually I just get it from minuteman. He has been having trouble with bottles for over a year now. However it’s the best solvent based paint on the market. I use it for my loco weathering business and have had great results, making my clients happy. Most orders arrive after a few months, and they are easy to reach by phone to check status. Hope it arrives soon, you will like it

P&D Hobbies usually has a good supply and does do mail orders.   I was in a month ago and their stock of Scalecoat and other brands was pretty high.

P&D Hobby Shop

Another source is Kevin Macomber who does a lot of older paints.   Not sure how much scalecoat he has

Narrow Gauge Modeling Co. | Kevin Macomber

@HudsonORailRoader posted:

I placed an order two months ago with Minutman for a couple bottles of Scalecoat paint. Have not received the paint as of this date. I know they were short on bottles a month ago and I was told my order would ship a couple of weeks ago. Now, I called today to learn they are on vacation for two weeks.

Are there any other sources for Scalecoat paint out there? Maybe a distributor or retailer?

Thanks in advance.

Here's a thought - why not post what colors you need and maybe someone here will be good enough to provide you a bottle that they do not need?

If it's one that I have on hand, I'd be happy to ship it to you at cost.

Henning's Trains has lots of ScaleCoat in stock.

Scalecoat Paint at Henning's Trains

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Henning's Trains has lots of ScaleCoat in stock.

Scalecoat Paint at Henning's Trains

John, if they have any Pennsylvania Railroad Boxcar Red, let me know. I have been waiting for the last four spray cans to finish your cars!

Tom

@Krieglok posted:

John, if they have any Pennsylvania Railroad Boxcar Red, let me know. I have been waiting for the last four spray cans to finish your cars!

Is this the color?  This appears to be in stock.  I added three to my cart and they didn't complain, so they apparently have a few.

@HudsonORailRoader posted:

I placed an order two months ago with Minutman for a couple bottles of Scalecoat paint. Have not received the paint as of this date. I know they were short on bottles a month ago and I was told my order would ship a couple of weeks ago. Now, I called today to learn they are on vacation for two weeks.

Are there any other sources for Scalecoat paint out there? Maybe a distributor or retailer?

Thanks in advance.

Apart from availability, I've encountered severe paint coagulation problems with SCII in the 2 oz. bottle size on my recent NP North Coast Limited project; and, it's happening with paint and clear finishes that are less than one year old, purchased direct from Minuteman, and paint stored between uses per the owner's/Sean's instructions.

When I finish the projects underway, I won't be using SC II anymore.

Try Des Plaines Hobbies. They had ScaleCoat 2 weeks ago. As for ScaleCoat II, pour a small amount of paint thinner over the top of the paint left in bottle.

Dick

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Is this the color?  This appears to be in stock.  I added three to my cart and they didn't complain, so they apparently have a few.

The right color, but at the moment I am using spray cans. I may have to get the airbrush running if the cans don’t become available soon…

Tom

I placed an order weeks ago. Got the standard e mail saying my order was being processed. I read this thread as I am in the middle of some painting projects. I found what I needed at Walthers to finish up a couple of jobs. I realize Minuteman is probably a one man band and shipping was always slow. But I noticed going through Walthers a majority of often used colors were listed as out of stock.

I try to stock up on what I think I’ll need at the Springfield MA. show. I was unable to attend the last show but noticed they weren’t listed as exhibitors.  It would be nice if they posted something on their site as to what’s up. I get that there could be a bottle shortage. I never cared for there bottles to begin with. But the paint was worth it. But the cans seem unavailable as well.

I think I’m going to search out what I need to finish up my unstarted projects and just move on. I moved on from Flouquil to Scalecoat. I’ve used True Color a few times and may give that more of a go.

My order was placed 9 weeks ago. The first time I inquired about my order I was told the bottles were the issue. The last time I asked it was a pigment shortage so some colors cannot be mixed. I’ve used Tru-color and I’m not really a fan. I remember what Andy Griffith said about Aunt Bee’s pickles,”We will have to learn to love them!”  I guess that where I am with Tru-color. I will miss SC, it was great paint. I hope they will get the issues resolved but I’m starting to have doubts.

I think if he has it, it gets shipped promptly. I placed an order last month for various black in spray cans and had them within 5 days. Bad timing for me as I just started using Scalecoat and decided it would be my go to paint. I am not fan of Tru Color either.

Pete

I actually have a few orders placed with Minute Man. I don’t mind the wait as he will combine all the orders I have placed and give me a refund on the extra shipping costs.

I have the same experience as Pete, if they have it ready, it ships. I have recently ordered their paint stripper and that arrived in a few days…

Tom

Walthers inventory is horrible, at best!  They only seem to carry one or two bottles of each color of anybody's paint.     Regarding Minuteman Models, having dealt with him at Trainfest in the past,  he is a piece of work!  In my humble opinion, he seems to do what he wants, when he wants, without any regard to the customers needs.    I like Scalecoat paint, just wish someone with better business sense had taken the line over.......

Update. My order from March has still not been filled. They do not answer phone nor return emails any longer. I’m gonna miss SC paint.

I’ve got a couple of e mails forwarded from them. Customers inquiring about an order. I’ve been waiting close to 6 months. Seems like a waste of time calling or emailing if nobody’s home.

There’s a current project on the Forum of a NYO&W Mountain that recently got a shade of maroon from them. Perhaps it was old stock. I just gave up on them. I recently switched over to Tamiya Laquer and like the results. While not exactly RR colors. You can make them work.

Malcolm,

What color(s) are you looking for?  SCI or SCII?

Jay

Got my order a couple months ago. Took about six months to receive.

I'm currently in the same boat as everyone currently,I recently made an order back in September for maroon paint for a NYO&W project (as mentioned above) that paint I did receive. Late September I made a new order for the same maroon paint (for the matching rolling stock) and SP daylight orange, it's been over a month since the order was confirmed. I've emailed twice and called to no avail.

Blake, I’m out about 50 bucks. I’ve just moved on.  I can understand about shortages and such in this day and age. There’s no excuse for not communicating with the customer and you certainly shouldn’t run a card with no product to ship. Even if my order shipped today. I’d never buy again. It’s only paint. It’s just not worth the aggravation.

I have 2 local shops. One deals in static models and the other a full line shop. Both carry a good surplus of  Tamiya acrylic and Laquer. I’ve been using the Laquer. Very user friendly as far as mixing and the results have been good. While there are no official RR colors and there aren’t a lot of glosses out of the bottle. You can find a lot of pretty close matches. They do offer a maroon. Whether it’s close to what you need. You would have to be the judge.

I've placed two orders this year from the website . About two months after each order, I got my order.  

The only communications were the order confirmation and then about two months later the shipping notice. I'm fine with that.

Plan your paint needs a few months in advance and you'll be fine.  Just can't think it will ship next day.

Scalecoat is still my favorite paint to use.