The future of Model Master

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Seeking information about the status of the status of several of Testors long-standing paint lines, we have received the following from Vince Pierri, Senior Manager, PR & Corporate Communications for Rust-Oleum:

“With a long history of producing quality hobby kits and supplies, we are evolving our strategy to focus more keenly on Testors, our flagship brand. To that end, we are discontinuing our PACTRA, AZTEK, and Model Master brands as demand for these products continues to decline. We will continue to support the hobby market with a robust line of aerosols, brush paints, tools and accessories – always looking for opportunities to innovate in these categories.”

We have no idea how long this change will take to implement or how soon it will affect the availability of the paints and supplies.

2

wow Pactra,floquil,Snj spray metal now model masters oh well I guess we still have testors gloss paints wait and see. Thanks for the up date.

3

I wonder if some of the more popular colors will end up in a square bottle? Regardless, I have a gift card at a retailer that, when they get rid of them, will go 75 off! Guess I’m sticking with Gunze…

4

Enamel users still have Humbrol, Xtracolor, Colourcoats, North Star, and Tru-Color, none of them owned by Testors.

5

Thoughtful of you to share that, thanks.

6

I use Model Master Metalizer rattle can paints a lot. There is no substitute. Not happy. I’ll need to search the Internet and see if I can stock up.

7

And here I understood that the Aztek airbrush has a lifetime warranty(?).

[;)]

Ben

8

Revell Germany is supposed to be exporting their enamel and acrylic paint lines to North America in the near future. That will help make up for the loss of Model Master.

9

Thanks for the heads up Aaron. I don’t swallow the reason they gave otherwise these paints would sit on the display racks gathering dust.

Plenty of competition coming out like the AK Real Colors, Mr. Color and MRP lacquers that perform like enamels.

10

That lifetime warranty on Aztek airbrushes apparently means “until we decide to kill them.”

I own two Aztek airbrushes and will continue to use them until they break. But I’m never again buying anything from Testors.

11

Sounds like there is no future for them.

12

Yes, but “lifetime warranty” is meaningless marketing babble in most if not all cases anyway.

13

Reminds me of some car dealerships offering “lifetime oil changes” only to be bought out by another a couple of years later and so ends the free oil changes.

14

Mr Ranger:

I don’t mean to criticise you sir: Maybe you have access to all that including Humbrol. I have NEVER even heard of the other brands. At least around here!

15

If the company is not gone, and the warranty is in writing, they have a legal obligation to honor the warranty. Of course once spare parts run out that becomes a problem…

16

Does Testors even exist any more beyond a brand name owned by Rustoleum?

17

Meh.

For me, the only surprise in this story is learning that Pactra was still a brand. I thought it was discontinued years ago.

18

I don’t believe the Testors brand will be all gloss. They have come out with new flats, as well as semi-gloss.

19

Google 'em. Some have been around for quite a while.

20

I am glad I stocked up on the black bottle liquid cement with the needle. I only use it for certain tasks, but I really like this product.