I stocked up on the Model Master enamels in all the common FS aircraft colors, so I should be good for a while.  I gave Vallejo a shot once, just to see what their FS equivalents were like.  Tried those on my first painting attempt on the FB-111A I'm building.  Not only was the quality inconsistent, but the colors were completely wrong.  The good thing is, its durability also completely blew, so I was able to easily remove it all with a little 91% alcohol and very gentle rubbing with my fingers.  I was able to find some MM rattle cans of the correct FS colors for SAC SIOP camouflage, so I decanted those into 4 ounce mason jars.  Had those jars for a couple of years now, and they still spray beatifully, and are actually the correct colors.  I recently had a look around the Mr. Paint site, and they seem promising with their selection of FS colors.  I'll have to give them a try some day.  They're acrylics, but if they spray as well as Tamiya paints, and the colors are accurate, I'll just plan on using those in the future.  

AT6

The more I hear of this, the angrier I become. Testors and their Model Master line were always my favorite go to paints. I hate Acrylics and only like Enamels. Rustoleum can go to H... as far as I'm concerned and thank God that I don't hold any of their fecal stock.

 

Most businesses do not operate their business as a charity.  Would you want to hold stock in a company that never pays a dividend, nor sees an increase in stock value?  It is called capitalism.  Profit making businesses exist to provide income to their stockholders.

The more I hear of this, the angrier I become. Testors and their Model Master line were always my favorite go to paints. I hate Acrylics and only like Enamels. Rustoleum can go to H8=L as far as I'm concerned and thank God that I don't hold any of their fecal stock.

I wouldn't blame them.

Look to Mission,Vallejo, AK and all the other new high tech paints. 

I will miss them too, but I'm starting to like my AK Navy colors.

Good to know!  I've been a long time Modelmaster user; I started using Testors I think in the 1960's.  I'll be switching to Tamiya and will no longer support Testors.  They don't support me; I won't support them!

There seems to be a lot of bottles of Testors' Metalizer paints still available. The problem is that I don't have an airbrush, so I need rattle cans. Maybe I should breakdown and get an airbrush?

JohnnyK

I am soooooooooooooooo ***ED OFF. I use Model Master Metalizer paints for all sorts of things. I use those paints in their buffed and unbuffed finishes. 

This is a 1/12 scale F1 engine. It is 100% painted with unbuffed Model Master Aluminum and Titanium paints. Now what????? What are my options???? FYI, I do not have an airbrush. 

 

Grabbed a bunch from Scalehobbyist,just came yesterday.Gun Metal,Stainless Steel,and Burnt Iron

JohnnyK

I am soooooooooooooooo ***ED OFF. I use Model Master Metalizer paints for all sorts of things. I use those paints in their buffed and unbuffed finishes. 

 

This is a 1/12 scale F1 engine. It is 100% painted with unbuffed Model Master Aluminum and Titanium paints. Now what????? What are my options???? FYI, I do not have an airbrush. 

 

Testors is still putting out metallic colors in its enamels.  There are two sheens of aluminum, a great gloss chrome that is like those from Molotow and others, and a great steel color, again both a gloss and a matt.  I have not seen a titanium- hope they do produce one, but I am mixing some colors into the steel to get a titanium look.

I am soooooooooooooooo ***ED OFF. I use Model Master Metalizer paints for all sorts of things. I use those paints in their buffed and unbuffed finishes. 

This is a 1/12 scale F1 engine. It is 100% painted with unbuffed Model Master Aluminum and Titanium paints. Now what????? What are my options???? FYI, I do not have an airbrush. 

RSchnell

I think part of the reason for Model Master being discontinued is changing market strategy & demographics. If you look at the Testors Facebook page it is heavily angled towards the "DIY Craft" and soccer moms painting stuff with their kids crowd. 

The market is certainly bigger for that sort of thing & I don't see many people having a "crafternoon" painting something in RAF Azure blue or Gunship Grey.

 

I grew up on buying those multipacks and still have a few of the tiny square bottles.

I think part of the reason for Model Master being discontinued is changing market strategy & demographics. If you look at the Testors Facebook page it is heavily angled towards the "DIY Craft" and soccer moms painting stuff with their kids crowd. 

The market is certainly bigger for that sort of thing & I don't see many people having a "crafternoon" painting something in RAF Azure blue or Gunship Grey.

I agree. I had a Aztek, didn't like it and I threw it away. I now use 

Grex or Harder-Steinbeck. I sure will miss MM enamels.

I also don't like that they are being discontinued. I've been using them for years and I miss enamels. The one time I used acrylics all I had was trouble and it clogged my airbrush. I haven't used them since but now it looks like I will have to.

I have some 60-year-old Humbrol enamel that is as good as the day it left the factory. You don't have to be a paint chemist to use enamel. Thin it with mineral spirits or lacquer thinner and spray it at about 10-12 psi and let it cure for 24 hours and it's done.

I have two Aztek airbrushes and have never had a problem with either one.

I am bummed and here is why:

1. They were the most easy to access at a discount leaving me with limited full price colors to but at full price.

2. I got very used to their ease of use for both spraying and brushing. Cleanup isn't bad either. I am 41 and these have always been my go to paints. I also have been almost exclusive to aircraft modeling.

 I want to get more into armor so happen to have ventured into Vallejo and coinsidentally bought 20 bottles of AK yesterday to try something new. 

Looks like I have to find a new favorite.. I tried to AB some Vallejo last night and kept clogging the brush so I have a lot to learn in the process...

Looking forward to hearing what everyone else tries and if anyone has tips for Airbrushing Vallejo model color (not model air). First thing is I think I need to turn up my air pressure I am sub 20psi.

I used the stuff because that's what our local hobby shop carries. 

Can't say I loved them nor hated them. They always worked well enough. 

I really liked the Polly Scale line that Testor's bought out and shut down much more though. 

stikpusher

The big problem with these new acrylics is each brand requires their own support system. Some hand brush well, some do not, some require additives for thinning, flow enhancers, retarders, etc. some do not. And there does not seem to be much interoperational capability with these various brands. 

These paint folks need to remember the K.I.S.S. principle. If a paint brand requires all sorts of additional steps and additives to get best results, I’m gonna pass. 

I have some old Humbrol International line (remember those with the black label?) tins of paint in my collection. Those were discontinued decades ago. And they are still quite usable. Model Master could have taken a lesson or two from them in formulation and materials.

This reminds me of about the year 2000 when LHS locations were disappearing quickly and online was growing. The LHS had full racks of paint, but they were often old bottles and risky to buy.

Humbrol is the only paint I've ever used that was good after 5 years.

AFA gloss black, I have the same temptation, Don. Always worth testing first. My Caravelle will be NMF on the section below the cabin windows.

RSchnell

Unfortunate but not surprising. I've used MM enamels for 30+ years. At least I have a good stash to use up before converting over to most likely Tamiya. 

 

Wonder if Model Master will sell for crazy prices like old Floquil on ebay? LOL

 

Probably not.  I found that the stuff does age.  While unopened bottles last a lot longer than opened ones, they still age. I have found really old  unopened bottles that are not in good shape, and once open they really age fast.  I have a pretty good stash too, but my stash slowly turns into the colors I use the least.  All the hobby shops and craft stores in the area are closed except a Michael's store, and they are out of the Testors gloss black I need.  Ordered a jar from Amazon, but it will be next week before I get it.  I have a model requiring one last coat, and it is sitting there waiting for that paint.  I am tempted to go to the hardware store and buy the smallest can I can find of general purpose black enamel.

Model Masters really lived up to the name, after 30 years, I finally think I have mastered how to use them.

Since MM has been getting hard to obtain, I have been using Tamiya and Vallejo and am frustrated at the inconsistancy of both brands.  Colour Coats have been a good brand for me.  

Unfortunate but not surprising. I've used MM enamels for 30+ years. At least I have a good stash to use up before converting over to most likely Tamiya. 

Wonder if Model Master will sell for crazy prices like old Floquil on ebay? LOL

If you’re an enamel fan, try Humbrol. For acrylics, Mission Models Paints are pretty good as well.

I pretty much use Model Master paints exclusively.  I like the way they airbrush and hand brush.  I do have a few bottles of Tamiya paint and I like them well enough, but I don't like the idea of mixing different ratios to get the right shades.  I've heard good things about Vallejo so mayb I'll give them a try.  Anyone have other suggestions?

Robotism

 

 

stikpusher

The big problem with these new acrylics is each brand requires their own support system. Some hand brush well, some do not, some require additives for thinning, flow enhancers, retarders, etc. some do not. And there does not seem to be much interoperational capability with these various brands. 

These paint folks need to remember the K.I.S.S. principle. If a paint brand requires all sorts of additional steps and additives to get best results, I’m gonna pass. 

 

 

 

 

 

Well said, I think the problem is there is a market for all these additives the same way there's a market for gold plated audio jacks. Even if it's going to make no real difference people still think it does and will pay the price for their imaginary improvements. I'm not saying it's all snake oil but I've seen so much grand standing over using distilled water this and flow improver that when good old fashioned tap water is getting 99.9% of people the exact same results. Sadly I don't see it changing, we're always looking for a new toy and someones going to take you up on that to make some money.

 

Amen.

I used to do RC car racing many years ago.  There was a dominate driver in the club.  So many others were seeking his secrets.  One day he tied a small flag on the receiver antenna.  Sure enough, next race, a bunch of others had flags on their antennas.

We hobbyists are very susceptible to fads.

stikpusher

The big problem with these new acrylics is each brand requires their own support system. Some hand brush well, some do not, some require additives for thinning, flow enhancers, retarders, etc. some do not. And there does not seem to be much interoperational capability with these various brands. 

These paint folks need to remember the K.I.S.S. principle. If a paint brand requires all sorts of additional steps and additives to get best results, I’m gonna pass. 

 

Well said, I think the problem is there is a market for all these additives the same way there's a market for gold plated audio jacks. Even if it's going to make no real difference people still think it does and will pay the price for their imaginary improvements. I'm not saying it's all snake oil but I've seen so much grand standing over using distilled water this and flow improver that when good old fashioned tap water is getting 99.9% of people the exact same results. Sadly I don't see it changing, we're always looking for a new toy and someones going to take you up on that to make some money.

Hi Marcus!

     Long Time no Talk. Still working on ships. Just got ( Before the CoronaVirus thing) two paper kits out of China. One is a totally sci-fi Submarine. The other is the " Mellum' She's a coastal vessel for the German Coast Guard. She is patterned after the new Command Vessel I would've worked with if I had stayed on in California and under Contract to Clean Bay/Clean Seas. She has so much detail, I will actually HAVE to use P.E.On her!

      Oh, and because of her scale I can cheat and use some model railroad detail parts on her too!