The future of Model Master

murph

Someone in the know has informed me that Revell's enamels in the little tins are actually Humbrol enamels.

 

They don't appear like it. At least not in my experience. I’ve used both lines. Revell paints have a different consistency than Humbrol. They also have different color selections. It’s not simply a case of different tins and labels containing the same paints. Revell also made, and perhaps still makes, a line of “airbrush ready” enamels in larger glass bottles. 

Perhaps the same paint factory in Europe produces them, but to different specs. Like Testors was still producing Floquil enamels at the same time as they were Model Master. If you’ve used both brands, you know how they performed differently.

murph

Someone in the know has informed me that Revell's enamels in the little tins are actually Humbrol enamels.

 

Maybe Revell will have a better distribution network than Humbrol.  I have a hard time finding the latter.  I don't like a paint that I have to mail-order.  If I am working on a model and I happen to run out of a paint color, I sure like being able to drive to my local Michaels or Hobby Lobby to get a bottle quickly and not have to hold up the build till the mailman delivers.

Someone in the know has informed me that Revell's enamels in the little tins are actually Humbrol enamels.

Too bad.  Model Master Enamels have been my go-to paints (with the exception of Alclad when required) since I got back into the hobby in the late 80s.  I still have a fair stock but I'll have to find a new source for some of the colours I need for certain projects.  A misguided decision for Testors, in my opinion.  I guess they're cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Rustoleum means nothing oleum. I loved the Model Master enemels as they were great for air brushing. Thank God for card models. Plastic never more.

That would be good news.

That is interesting a name change but not the product?  Wishful thinking on my part.

I usually buy my Metalizer spray cans from Hobby Lobby. I bought the can on the left frpm Hobby Lobby just shortly before if closed. The can on the right was purchased via the Internet and arrived on Friday. This was the first time that I saw a Metalizer spray can in a tan colored label.

The silver can on the left mentions "Testors".   I turned the tan colored can around and it had a big "Rust-oleum" label on it. There was no mention of the word Testors.  Has anyone else seen these 'tan' cans?

RudyOnWheels

Major bummer. Grew up on the little square bottles (still have some purchased more recently) and my ENTIRE paint line is Model Master. It’s the one all the shops have always carried, from the not so local hobby shop, to hobby lobby to michaels or Joann fabrics. I have gotten some AV acrylics, but have only used a drop or two for brush painting thus far. First Wingnut wings, now testors. This is getting rather depressing..... Hope you all are healthy as can be and well- Rudy

 

I'm with you.  I don't like to use paints I have to mail order. If I am working on a model and I run out of paint, I hate to go online, order it, and wait and wait.

As far as acrylics, I have used Michaels general purpose acrylics in the bottle, once I learned the thinning ratio.  This was for a ship model where there was not a good hobby paint match for the ocre I needed.  They do not have low saturation colors needed on military vehicles or planes, but I am not averse to mixing.

Any opinions on how long the acrylic line is good for, unopened and kept from freezing?

Am looking at stocking up on my most used colors while still available.

stikpusher

 

 

Glamdring

For 10+ years, I have ONLY used the Model Master glue with the thin metal tube applictor.  This is highly problematic!

I wonder what the shelf life is, I will have start buying a bottle every time I can find one.

 

 

 

 

If you see some, buy it. The new bottle has the cruddy plastic tube. And it comes with a plunger wire that is too short. They are getting way too chinsy on their stuff. My last bottle of the Model Master stuff was quite a few years old, but as good as day one... until I left it on a hot sunny windowsill too long and it split at the seams due to heat expansion...

 

I tried using their non toxic years ago, if I recall I liked the idea of it not slowly killing me, but I detested the plastic applicator.  I could never get it to flow properly, and was constantly clogged.  I tossed it after two projects. 

This was the main reason I switched to the bottle with the metal precision applicator...even with the horrible fumes and cancer warning

My LHS still has a stock if their website is correct, I may order several to be set for the next 10-15 years.  I hate to be that guy who panic buys and hoards, but I don't see a choice if it is going to be discontinued.  At least I won't be cleaning them out and putting it on Ebay at absurd prices.

Thanks for the heads up! I kind of like minimizing the lines of paint I buy. I was thinking about buying some Model Masters. No sense starting down a dead-end street.

HL is going to take a hit when they reopen

Glamdring

For 10+ years, I have ONLY used the Model Master glue with the thin metal tube applictor.  This is highly problematic!

I wonder what the shelf life is, I will have start buying a bottle every time I can find one.

 

If you see some, buy it. The new bottle has the cruddy plastic tube. And it comes with a plunger wire that is too short. They are getting way too chinsy on their stuff. My last bottle of the Model Master stuff was quite a few years old, but as good as day one... until I left it on a hot sunny windowsill too long and it split at the seams due to heat expansion...

For 10+ years, I have ONLY used the Model Master glue with the thin metal tube applictor.  This is highly problematic!

I wonder what the shelf life is, I will have start buying a bottle every time I can find one.

Correction/update: Reports are that Rustoleum ceased all production of all Testors products today, May 7, 2020. R.I.P.

Hi Stick,

You are right, I have a few Humbrol tins I got when I couldn't get WEM.  Both seem to be the same as far as mixing and airbrushing, which I really like, I have had no surprises.  So many of these new brands are hit and miss.  I started to really like AV until recently both AV and Tamiya have made me feel like a chemist with trying to get the mix right and the surface prepared using a collection of there special thinners, primers, and reducers with mixed results.  

Being raised on Model Masters, I felt it was a convience paint, since everyone in the neighborhood had it in stock.  

scottrc

After 25 years using Model Master. I finally "mastered" how to use their paint.  Now I need to find a new enamel, which so far, has been Colourcoats that I seem to like best.  

I never trusted the small bottle suff for being flat, it always dried glossy on me and thickness always varied between bottles. 

 

 

Try Humbrol enamels. When they are thoroughly stirred they produce a superb finish. Don’t shake them in the tins, just stir them.

After 25 years using Model Master. I finally "mastered" how to use their paint.  Now I need to find a new enamel, which so far, has been Colourcoats that I seem to like best.  

I never trusted the small bottle suff for being flat, it always dried glossy on me and thickness always varied between bottles. 

WigWag Workshop

I think that one has a plastic tip, not the thin metal needle type tip...

Yeah, it's a different package; this one has a plastic nozzle, with a fine wire to plug the tip or re-open it if it gets gunked up.  But I wonder if the glue is the same?

Tanker-Builder

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!

 

Sprue Brothers carries a pretty good assortment of paints as well: https://store.spruebrothers.com/

I think that one has a plastic tip, not the thin metal needle type tip.

the Baron

 

 

WigWag Workshop

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. 

 

 

 

I wonder if the Model Master liquid cement is the same formula as the liquid cement sold in the same bottle but with the Testors label:

I use this, though I use Tamiya's extra-fine, too.  I think it flows better.

 

WigWag Workshop

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. 

I wonder if the Model Master liquid cement is the same formula as the liquid cement sold in the same bottle but with the Testors label:

I use this, though I use Tamiya's extra-fine, too.  I think it flows better.

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.

Tanker-Builder

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!

 

crown r n7

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.

 

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

Meh.

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

Space Ranger

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.

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