I’ve been seeing on some other forums that Rustoleum has bought out, or will be buying out, the Testors line of paints. Has anyone else heard of this? The scuttlebutt is that quite a few of the colors will be discontinued. (Please forgive me if I’m getting some info wrong here.)
Regardless, it got me to thinking. I’ve been using MM for as far back as I can remember. Probably 98% of my paints are MM enamels with the rest being made up of a single bottle of Tamiya and a couple of my last remaining Floquil silvers. Are there any other enamel paint brands out there that you’d recommend that are good for both hand brushing and airbrushing? I always liked the ability to do both with MM enamels.
I’ve heard this as well about a year or so back. I don’t really see a decline in color choices though, maybe just extra stock. I like MM as well but do tend to grab other manufactures (acrylics) first anymore and am slowly moving away from enamels, but not entirely.
I am curious to try the new Mission Models acrylic paint
They are supposed to spray like lacquer (must see to believe) but the problem is they just don’t have enough colors at the moment for me. They are adding to the line all the time.
Thank you for contacting Rust-Oleum Product Support. The 9580D International Military & Figure Enamel was recently discontinued due to the lack of support for it in the marketplace, however the Model Master paint line as a whole is still available: http://www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master If you have any additional questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Jason K. Rust-Oleum Product Support
Very bad news, this is good chunk of their paint line. I imagine this may be the beginning of the end for Model Master. Sad really. All of us grew up with Testors/Model Master
I emailed Mission Models a few months back, and they said they are adding around 20 or so car colours in June/July. From what I’ve read they are fantastic paints. If they can build up enough colours for military/figure/car modellers then they may be the new go to paint.
Personally, I just like to use 1 brand of paint. (right now that is MM enamels).
Wasn’t Testors a part of Rustoleum line anyway to begin with? You didn’t mention which colors are being discontinued. I’m not too worried about it at the moment.
I have found no news of Testors discontinuing their paint line anywhere on the net. Except of course, Pollyscale and Pactra brand but that’s old news. So until I see some solid proof of a news release by Testors themselves - and I mean CURRENT news release, not from 2013.
I’m still not convinced Testors will discontinue their paint line. For all I care, it could be 'fake news"
Well, if they do discontinue their enamel line and stay strictly with acylics, then we shall be parting ways. I do not care for their acrylics. Too many issues with them, and too many better products out there. Looks like Humbrol will be the last man standing in the enamel world. At least here in the USA, as Revell enamel paints are not available here.
nothing official from testors in the form of a press release but would they normally do a press release? Anyway ive reached out to them to see if they can confirm
Ok, this explains everything. They’re only discontinuing the ENAMEL line, not the acrylics. Not all is lost. I know some prefer enamels but in reality, acrylics are starting to be more in favor than enamels.
I prefer enamels. And Testors acrylics are probably some of the worst out there. I guess I’ll buy up whatever enamels of theirs I will need before they are extinct.
Then I will be strictly Humbrol for enamels and whoever else for acrylics. Bad move on their part.
No, Rustoleum didn’t “buy out” Testors. Both Testors and Rustoleum are part of the RPM Conglomerate. They have been for some time. About 4 or so years ago, RPM appeared to be “consolidating” Testors and Rustoleum, whatever that means (RPM’s words, not mine). Since both are already owned by RPM, it’s not a “buyout”. So this part of the story is old news.
I don’t know about the status of their enamels, I don’t use them.
Their acrylics work fine. I just wish they would give us a decent lid for the jars.
You are correct. I wasn’t sure if it was bought out was already part of the company- or somewhere along that line. I, too, use MM acrylics as well and never was an issue to me. Maybe for some but I do respect those who prefer MM enamels. I’d love to see Humbrol in my area LHS. But then again, he’s the only one left. I don’t go there much anymore because he always has the same old stuff, nothing exciting. Paintwise, he has Gunze/Mr Color, tons of MM enamels, a few MM acrylics, and recently added a full line of Tamiya paint line.
Based on this thread and a very recent experience I contacted the company .The very nice lady I spoke to was as confused as I am . Especially when I told her Hobby - Town was out of the flat black in any size because they were having difficulty getting them .
She explained that the shipments were up to date , But , the mystery is , Where did those paints go ? They have NO intention of doing away with Flat Black Model Master as many Model railroaders use it too .
I am awaiting a reply . I may start buying it in Bulk to save the poor little grey hairs on my head from disappearing faster by being pulled out ! T.B.
I have no trouble finding flat black, but can no longer find the black chrome. This was a great color- a semi-matt black useful for several uses. I heard that Testors is coming out with a color just called semi-matt or semi-gloss black (forget which), but I have sure not seen it on racks yet.
I’m going to put this to bed once and for all regarding this needless panic of Master Model enamels are being discontinued. I’ve got word in another forums by a knowledgable member there who got the real story.
Word has it they are doing away with is ONLY the “Model Master II” line (numbered in the 2xxx)
The older Model Master enamel line is STAYING!! Model Master I is NOT part of the International Military & Figures Enamel line. The IM&FE is a portion of the Model Master line. (IM&FE is the real name of Model Master II that comes with the 2xxx numbers)
Rest assured the Model Master Acrylic line is completely safe.
There is no “panic” but like I posted earlier, all the military enamel paint is being discontinued. That’s the model master II line and is over 120 colours and half of their enamel lineup. Fairly significant for one of the oldest brands in this hobby.