Hi All,
With all the comings and goings of model paint manufacturers, I have lost track of who makes what.
So, who still makes model paint these days? My almost urgent need is for Grimy Black.
Thanks,
Ed
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Hey Ed:
Tru Color Paint has a grimy black, but the line is (mostly) an airbrush ready paint with a few colors brush ready. The bottom line is, regardless of the name of the manufacture, there are paints out there for your need. Enamel, acrylic and even some lacquer if you look hard enough.
Charlie
@Charlie posted:Hey Ed:
Tru Color Paint has a grimy black, but the line is (mostly) an airbrush ready paint with a few colors brush ready. The bottom line is, regardless of the name of the manufacture, there are paints out there for your need. Enamel, acrylic and even some lacquer if you look hard enough.
Charlie
Right. I can't remember the details of who purchased the former Weaver line of Scalecoat paint, but it is still available.
I have a bottle of acrylic Grimy Black from these guys:
I hope to try it out soon as I will eventually need a replacement for my stock of MM acrylic Grimy Black. I asked if he could consider making RR Tie Brown at some point in the future.
@Hot Water posted:Right. I can't remember the details of who purchased the former Weaver line of Scalecoat paint, but it is still available.
Minuteman Scale Models
Micro mark has a line of colors that replaces some of the floquil paints. I believe they are made by Velao who make mostly military colors. they are very nice to work with
I've purchased Scalecoat paint from Minuteman. Easy to work with. Fair price.
I agree with PRR Man about Scalecoat. I have tried several acrylics but keep coming back to ScaleCoat II. Thin with about paint thinner.
Dick
Scalecoat II, and they have flat weathering colors now too.
Acrylic water based Golden brand paints from your local art store. High quality paint that is more durable than Vallejo. I do not spray solvent based paint anymore.
I match paint at Home Depot, a lot more paint custom made at much lower price per oz.
@AlanRail posted:I match paint at Home Depot, a lot more paint custom made at much lower price per oz.
That is the most amazing part of eliminating Floquil, Polly, and almost all Testors model paints. They work out to $500 per gallon?
Floquil, Polly, and Testors and the others have been overcharging modelers for paint for many decades. (sounds like big pharma). We have been really paying for their packaging, glass containers, metal caps and labels. The paint inside was the least expensive ingredient.
You want a real concrete color take a chunk to Home Depot or Menards to color match it. I have computer matched engine colors, pieces of MTH bridges to match bridges I have built, and of course Floquil, Polly, and Testors colors.
A NOTE: Colors can't be copyrighted only the names of colors are copyrightable. I never use their names when I color match, matching is free..
@Norm Charbonneau posted:I have a bottle of acrylic Grimy Black from these guys:
I hope to try it out soon as I will eventually need a replacement for my stock of MM acrylic Grimy Black. I asked if he could consider making RR Tie Brown at some point in the future.
Norm
When Railroad Tie Brown was in short supply years ago (circa 2012), the fellows at my LHS suggested MinWax dark walnut. It is pretty good. It is dark and eventually fades a bit. Sometimes I add a light white wash......I made some boards for a makeshift crossing here:
It is much less expensive than a small bottle of paint.....
Peter
I use two minwax stains. Dark Walnut and Golden Oak. Some of the Minwax stains are now water soluble. World keeps changing. 
My BTS model, Elliott and Sons Supply. Heavy support structure is Walnut. Deck and stairs Golden Oak. ?? Work benches, door trim, Floquil, Railroad tie brown ??
@AlanRail posted:Floquil, Polly, and Testors and the others have been overcharging modelers for paint for many decades. (sounds like big pharma). We have been really paying for their packaging, glass containers, metal caps and labels. The paint inside was the least expensive ingredient...
Probably true as well at the grocery store. But the sealing quality of the caps are probably better than what is used for paint. Those seem to be designed meet the absolute minimum requirements and then to fail once opened.
The color matching route works well for latex based paints. My only challenge is I don't airbrush as well with water based paints as I tend to clog my airbrush. I have always been a fan of solvent based paints.
However, having said that I know the senior paint architectural representative in my state for one of the largest paint manufacturers in the US and was able to get very, very accurate color matches off of CYMK and RGB colors for an upcoming project. I'll probably need to retrain myself on my airbrushing techniques.
Thanks to all who replied. The information is very useful.
Regards,
Ed
I have air brushes but do not use them. I buy Testor's and Floquil at garage sales, from the sale counter at hobby shops and train meets. That is my way of holding down the price.
I put new seals on the bottles made from hard clear plastic like that used to come to hold new shirt collars up or from toy or other packaging: Just cut to fit with a scissors. I also store them upside down in a cool place. I have several jars of model airplane dope ( fuel proof lacquer to some) that are over 50 year old, stored upside down and still good.
Charlie
Great thread !!!
Thanks to all posters !!!
CB&Q Bill
Ed Kelly & all,
Artist use a universal standard reference of color called Pantone. Yes, commercial paint manufacturers can color match and model railroad manufacturers have “railroad color” names. Debate occurs over Brunswick green and other colors but even among model paint producers (Floquil) for examples there have been noticeable variations in the same label color from batch to batch. Another factor is the type of light, incandescent, LED, etc and it’s effect on perception and yes fading due to UV content or lack of it. This isn’t intended to find fault, disparage or endorse one brand or type of paint over another but contribute to the knowledge of paint to our hobby. Build a model, paint it and enjoy the craft.
Lee Gustafson
Despite the new prices, I still like Scalecoat I, and SC II for the majority of my painting needs. That is, when I can find it in stock!!! The old Model Masters line is good as well. Tamiya is a great paint, with quite a few colors to pick from, and airbrushes like a lacquer paint, even though it is an acrylic paint.
Scalecoat is GONE.
I am unaware of Scalecoat paint being gone! Last time I was at Des Plaines Hobbies, Minuteman Models, was still in business, just not keeping up with his orders! The knucklehead that runs Minuteman Models is a real Craftsmen........i.e., a lifetime tool! And not the good kind of lifetime tool either! Talking to him at past Trainfest shows, had told me that he does business on his terms, and not to meet his customers requirements, or expectations. I only wish someone with a better business ethic, would take the paint line over and get things back on track...no pun intended. This is just my opinion.
I had a $125 dollar order that never got sent to me...
