Some Testors Model Master paints being discontinued?

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

https://www.missionmodelsus.com/

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.

From another forum:

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

modelcrazy

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

https://www.missionmodelsus.com/

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.

 

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.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

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.

 

All the international military and figure colours are being discontinued.  

http://www.testors.com/~/media/DigitalEncyclopedia/Documents/Testors/ColorCharts/RM280040_0914_ModelMaster_IntMilitary_FigureEnamelPaints.ashx

It's actually quite significant.  About half of their colour line.  From my count, it's around 133 colours.  

Link does not work.

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.

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/299198-testors-products-being-discontinued/

A few people on the forum above contacted rust oleum and got the confirmation.  I hope it's "fake news" too but where there's smoke there's fire.  

I have emailed them as well and will let everyone know if I get a respnse. 

Also here:

http://members.boardhost.com/Warship/msg/1496861594.html

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.

Besides, there's always Humbrol......

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.

hypertex

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. 

Hi;

   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.

Interesting... I didn't know such a color Black Chrome existed.

Tanker - Builder

Hi;

   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.

 

did she mention anything about all the military colours?

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.

again no panic but worthy of a discussion

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Word has it they are doing away with is ONLY the "Model Master II" line (numbered in the 2xxx)

 

 

The Model Master II line of enamels would be a serious blow to military modelers because it covers a lot of different subjects. The numbers 2000-2100 are illustrated in the link below:

https://www.megahobby.com/products/model-master-ii-enamel-paint-2000-2100-series-1-2-oz-bottles-testors.html

All of the RLM colors for Luftwaffe modelers, most of the base colors for armor modelers, and a lot for figure painters as well, are all potential candidates for being discontinued under the conditions reported. Perhaps not cause for "panic", but arguably a point of concern.

How about it, FSM? Can our esteemed editors and forum moderators confirm or disprove the matter? Please, put those press connections into motion and put this to rest?

We had a discussion in a model club meeting last night on this subject.  Some claim this is part of a movement to eliminate, eventually, all enamel paints.  I love enamel- dislike acrylics- but I guess I should get on the ball and learn how to use them properly.  I have used them a few times for flat finishes.  I have been completely unsuccessful in getting a good gloss finish.  I guess if I have to go to acrylics I will have to glosscoat everything I want glossy.  Right now all the glosscoats I use are either enamel or lacquer- I hope a decent acrylic glosscoat exists :-)

Don Stauffer

We had a discussion in a model club meeting last night on this subject.  Some claim this is part of a movement to eliminate, eventually, all enamel paints.  I love enamel- dislike acrylics- but I guess I should get on the ball and learn how to use them properly.  I have used them a few times for flat finishes.  I have been completely unsuccessful in getting a good gloss finish.  I guess if I have to go to acrylics I will have to glosscoat everything I want glossy.  Right now all the glosscoats I use are either enamel or lacquer- I hope a decent acrylic glosscoat exists :-)

  

I imagine you're right.  I primarily use MM enamels as well.  I wonder if they will increase their acrylic line with the discontinued enamel paints?  If they are eventually moving away from enamels, I would love to see more variety with their acrylic line (specifically their automotive colours)

Not to beat a dead horse, but I did call Testors (Rustoleum) directly and they did confirm that they are in fact discontinuing the Model Master II enamel line (International Military and Figure).  

We'll see if this is a general shift from enamels to acrylic or perhaps the military colours were too specific and just didn't sell well?  Perhaps the average modeller is just fine with the colours offered in the standard MM lineup.

I find the MM auto enamels (bottle) selection is by far the greatest in the hobby.  I hope they don't move away from those.  

That's too bad. They discontinued multiple colors in the original MM enamel line, which was pretty much US centric.  And the MM II line expanded that to new or old overlooked US colors as well as lots of great and needed international colors. Most of which, but not all, Humbrol thankfully has in their enamel line. When the dust settles, we shall see what is left. 

Well, this move by Testors suck BIG TIME! I hate using acrylics specially their Acryl line so like stik , when the time comes I will be moving on to another brand. First they killed the Floquil line and now another one bites the dust.

And as for bulking up on paint, good luck. I have been noticing a steady decline of shelf life with the MM paints, some going bad after a year or even less. That didn't happen with the older products.

plasticjunkie

Well, this move by Testors suck BIG TIME! I hate using acrylics specially their Acryl line so like stik , when the time comes I will be moving on to another brand. First they killed the Floquil line and now another one bites the dust.

And as for bulking up on paint, good luck. I have been noticing a steady decline of shelf life with the MM paints, some going bad after a year or even less. That didn't happen with the older products.

 

 

Yes, Testors has some quality control issues over the past several years. How the mighty have fallen...

My guess is that enamel paints will disappear from all brands.  I have heard that emissions problems may be part of the issue.

Don Stauffer

My guess is that enamel paints will disappear from all brands.  I have heard that emissions problems may be part of the issue.

 

Hopefully I'll be dead before that happens... 

The EU has far stricter regulations on those sorts of things, yet Revell, Humbrol, and Xtracolor all have enamel lines with no word of being discontinued. 

Don;

 I still find Black Chrome . It's not everyday I do , but it shows up from time to time . T.B.