Sources for small spray cans of flat paint, for painting cars and small items?

Try Hobby Lobby. They carry short cuts, sometimes at 30% off.

The auto stores have a nice selection of colors.

The problem may not be what would seem to be obvious.  I've come across several articles and reports that indicate that there is still a shortage of spray cans because production has largely been diverted to cleaning products for COVID 19 control.

You would think that this situation would have cleared over the last year, but it has apparently not.

Mike

If you do not have a hobby shop in the area, try Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

I have also seen the demise of the small aerosol cans at my LHS.  When I asked the store personell their response was aerosol restrictions.   I'm not buying that, but what I do know is that railroad colors are becoming scarce except for tru-color air brush products.

?? Air brush ??  Usually also requires an air compressor, hose, water trap, etc.

Dupli-Color makes them.  During Covid I found it easiest to just order on-line with free shipping.

Krylon and Rustoleum seem to have nozzle problems, leading to waste and environmental pollution.

I too hate cleaning guns - my Paasche model H has served admirably, and I just sidelined the big Binks for a Graco-Croix that is almost bulletproof, given my dislike of cleaning things.

edit - God, I hate spellcheck.

Guys,

A I said, as of now, our Michaels is carrying virtually no spray cans of flat paint colors.

I went on the main website for Hobby Lobby, and the only Short Cut cans of paint they have in stock are black, white, hot pink, and mocha coffee.  Exactly the type of "left-over" colors one would expect when a store discontinues its carrying of a product, or the manufacturer itself has discontinued a product.

We have an Auto Zone, and Advanced Auto, and a Napa store right here in town that I can check, but wouldn't the paint they carry only be for metal?

Thanks,

Mannyrock

No luck on Dupli-Color.  The only paints I see online are engine or auto paint or self etching primers, in either hot bright colors or flat black, flat primer red, or flat primer gray.

I really think that it must be the aerosol can shortage that have created this situation.

I guess the guys who make military or battle models or dioramas must be really upset.

So, my follow up question is this please:  If I go ahead an use a gloss acrylic or enamel paint, and let it dry really well, and then spray it with Testors' de-glosser, will it become "flat"?

Thanks,

Mannyrock

OK, first, Mannyrock, you seem to like to make too many assumptions without facts to back them up. Specifically: military modelers being upset, only for metal??, only matte, be discontinued,..... Did you check with manufacturers, store managers, purchasing agents??

Now a simple solution is called Preval (Preval.com). These are easy to clean, economical paint sprayers. Just fill with your favorite thinned model RR paint and spray away. They are available at ACE Hardware, some WallyMarts, Home Depot, and on Amazon. I've used these since the 1970's to touch up scratches in lacquer finishes on classic cars, and on toy trains since the late 1980's.

My favorite paint brand is Scalecoat II (for plastic) which i use in conjunction with spray cans of Tamiya primer. Scalecoat II is available in both 6oz. spray cans and small bottles.

For the short run, try some of the larger, national R/C hobby shops - like Horizon Hobby, RC Planet and Tower Hobbies. They should have at least some partial supply left.

For dull coat, I also use Krylon Matte Clear which is available at the big box stores.

Just got back from my local hobby shop.  It had racks of small spray cans of paint if you want to pay $6 each.  I found two 1/2 oz bottles of Master Builders paint for 99 cents each on the out of date rack.

The better choice of colors is in the 1/2 oz bottles of Master Builder and Testor's paint that are $4.  The color choice is very great as many folks are into painting military gear with lots of camo and other colors.  I have been painting some of my several recent cabooses with Master Builders and thin it down for smooth brushing for a few coats.  One bottle of yellow painted three cabooses.  If it is not in my finish, I spray with clear glossy, matte or semi-gloss.  The 1/2 oz bottles will store for years without plugging like previously used spray cans.

I sure miss the $.99 large spray cans, in many common colors,  that Walmart used to sell a couple of years ago.  Now they only carry black and white if even that.

Charlie

"?? Air brush ??  Usually also requires an air compressor, hose, water trap, etc."

Actually, no. Unless you do this a lot. A can of compressed air lasts a long time. No water issues. The brush comes with a hose. I prefer spray cans, but I have used an airbrush - usually for weathering, but I prefer the dry weathering pigments technique now.

"Krylon and Rustoleum seem to have nozzle problems, leading to waste and environmental pollution."

Oh, yeah. I am beginning to simply factor in the cost of an entire can per project. On a loco it isn't a big deal. I use it as long as I can - generally only half is ultimately available - then just toss it. The environment is a goner anyway. This sort of "progress" (do children run everything these days?) has a partner in crime with the "2X Coverage!!!" cans. Ever try to do decent spraying when that fat nozzle is putting out enough flow to paint a wicker furniture set in 30 seconds? Model brush painting may make a comeback - good acrylic leaves essentially no brush marks.

Wicker furniture. The true villain here.

Modeltrainsparts,

Making assumptions without checking facts?   :-)   Well, hmmmmm,

I've been to three large stores that were suggested.  Walmart,  Michaels and Hobby Lobby.  They have  zero.  I have shopped their websites.  They have zero.

I've spent more than 3 hours online searching for these products, everyplace that popped up on google searches.  They have zero.

My comment about military modelers?  Merely a passing thought, not a conclusion.

I haven't called the purchasing agents for any of the big stores Maybe I should, but I have a feeling that if there is zero product in the stores, he or she will tell you exactly what you are seeing.  Either the product has been discontinued, or they are not going to carry it anymore,  or there is an aerosol can shortage.   

Wow.   Things are sure different that when we were kids, and every hobby shop had the huge metal rack with every bottle and spray can of Testor's paint you could every want. 

I would love to pay $6.00 per can for the small spray cans in the flat colors I am looking for.   If only I could find them!

Hope this shortage that I am seeing is only temporary.

D500.  You are totally correct about the Krylon 2X coverage. And, I think that their entire selection of enamels is going that way.  So, we may have to permanently cross off Krylon for painting  cars,  engines or scenery.  :-(

Ritchie, thanks for giving me the name of those three big hobby chains. I'm off to check those.

I've got so much "stuff" in my workshop, garage, and basement now, that I just can go the route of an air brush!  I am drowning in stuff!

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Well,  just checked the websites of Horizon Hobby, R/C Planet and Tower Hobbies.

The all have virtually no color selections in flat spray paint.   The only things they seem to have is OD Green, Tan, and Gray. 

In most cases, they are "out of stock" and "on back order" for more than half of their spray paints of any kind.

Tower Hobbies does, however, have a nice wide selection of Testor's flat paint colors in the very small jars, and some acrylic flat paint colors in the somewhat larger jars.

Mannyrock

Mannyrock I'll stand by my previous statements which incidentally you reconfirmed in your most recent post. But again to try to solve your problem: Scalecoat and Scalecoat II paints are available from MinuteMan Scale Models in 1oz., 2oz. bottles and 6oz. spray cans. Preval sprayers retail for about $6.00 - $7.00 each or 2 for $10 including cartridges. Additional cartridges are about $4.- $5. each. I usually keep 1 or2 spares on hand. Hobby paints like Scalecoat and Tamiya tend to be a bit more expensive than the stuff that comes in rattle cans (which is fine for painting wicker furniture and garden tools) because the pigments in hobby paints are ground much much finer so as not to hide the details on models while giving good coverage.

@bob2 posted:

Krylon and Rustoleum seem to have nozzle problems, leading to waste and environmental pollution.

Not seeing that problem with Rustoleum cans and have just completed 8 tank cars in the last 2 weeks when the weather turned warm enough to paint and then gloss for decals.  The flat primer colors work rather well. Sealed over the decals with the Clear Matte.

The spray cans from Scalecoat worked very well, too!

edit - God, I hate spellcheck.

Many would benefit from using spellcheck..............

@Mannyrock posted:

Well,  just checked the websites of Horizon Hobby, R/C Planet and Tower Hobbies.

The all have virtually no color selections in flat spray paint.   The only things they seem to have is OD Green, Tan, and Gray.

In most cases, they are "out of stock" and "on back order" for more than half of their spray paints of any kind.

Tower Hobbies does, however, have a nice wide selection of Testor's flat paint colors in the very small jars, and some acrylic flat paint colors in the somewhat larger jars.

Mannyrock

Green, tan and gray are nice colors

I've seen some small, fillable spray cans that use compressed air which you can fill with a liquid paint and, basically, make your own custom spray paint can. Never used 'em and can't vouch for them, but might be interesting to see if they work - on a scrap piece, first.

There's always Wagners !

I use Scalecoat II for plastics. Never had any issues with it as long as the surface has been prepared properly.

@Mannyrock posted:

Well,  just checked the websites of Horizon Hobby, R/C Planet and Tower Hobbies.

The all have virtually no color selections in flat spray paint.   The only things they seem to have is OD Green, Tan, and Gray.

In most cases, they are "out of stock" and "on back order" for more than half of their spray paints of any kind.

Tower Hobbies does, however, have a nice wide selection of Testor's flat paint colors in the very small jars, and some acrylic flat paint colors in the somewhat larger jars.

Mannyrock

Check with our forum sponsor White Rose Hobbies.  I was just there two weeks ago and they have a ton of spray paint, airbrush paint and other model paint.

And... they are nice people too.

Modeltrainsparts,

Thanks for letting me know about Minuteman Scale Models, and their Scalecoat I and II paints.

I have just spent 45 minutes going through their entire website.

In spray cans, they only show 19 flat paints,and  all of them are white, black, or earthtones (including "flat dirt," and my favorite, "flat grime").  They have no flat primary or secondary colors, except for oxide red and boxcar red (unless I guess we include brown, rust, and concrete gray as secondary colors.)  No greens, yellows, oranges, blues, purples, etc.

Interestingly enough, for each bottle of paint they sell,  they have a picture posted of the bottle,  with the name of the paint below it.

But, for all of their spray cans of flat paint, the picture box is totally blank, except for a gray space-saver icon of a camera.  Makes me seriously wonder if they have any in stock at all.   

I guess I will call them tomorrow to find out.  I think the only flat color they might have that I could use is the boxcar red.

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Ron,

I just searched through the White Rose Hobbies website.  A great selection of enamel and acrylic paints in spray cans, in lots of colors.  Sadly, they only show three flat colors: black, white and red.

Guys, I appreciate all of the advice you have given me.  I think that I am looking for something that is just not manufactured anymore. 

I guess if I want to spray paint in primary colors (other than red or od-green) on my cars or buildings, I will just have to use glossy paint, and then spray deglosser on it,  and see what happens.

Thanks again,

Mannyrock

This is the primer I use. Purchased it at Advanced Auto.

@Mannyrock posted:

guess if I want to spray paint in primary colors (other than red or od-green) on my cars or buildings, I will just have to use glossy paint, and then spray deglosser on it,  and see what happens.

Thanks again,

Mannyrock

Spraying a clear coat of Semi gloss, matte or flat is common.

This car was painted with Tamiya TS34 Camel Yellow Lacquer and then clear coated with matte.

You are a pretty hard guy to please.

Ron

Ron,

I would be very satisfied in spraying the final paint job with a flat clear coat, if this will give it flat paint look.

What flat clear coat would you recommend?

Thanks,

Mannyrock

JUST ORDER DIRECT FROM SCALECOAT, THEY HAVE RR COLORS IN A SMALL RAT CAN

ALSO YOU NEED TO CHECK THE WALTHERS CATALOG, THEY CARRY SCALECOAT II IN SM CANS

One last thought, I'm not fond of ordering by the internet, just a suggestion. I prefer to support my local hobby shops. Yes I know they order from places like Walthers, and I pay a little more, for what I buy. **** I might even have to wait a little longer to get it.   

Now I will get off my soap box.    BILL 

@Mannyrock posted:

Ron,

I would be very satisfied in spraying the final paint job with a flat clear coat, if this will give it flat paint look.

What flat clear coat would you recommend?

Thanks,

Mannyrock

That all depends on the paint you end up buying.  Mixing Lacquer and Enamel could have a negative effect and crackle your paint.

I would recommend you buy the clear coat that goes with the paint you buy.

I'm sure there are dozens of small train/hobby shops around the country that have plenty of spray paint in inventory. The hard part is knowing who to contact and if they will ship.

For specific needs, you can try Northeast Trains in Peabody, MA (they have a large internet business and may ship paints - note that their hobby/model department is separate from their train business) and Hobby Bunker in Malden, MA. (not sure about shipping).

If you live in the area, Hanger 18 Hobbies in Cary NC has a large selection of spray paints.

https://hangar18hobbies.com/

@Mannyrock posted:

Ron,

I would be very satisfied in spraying the final paint job with a flat clear coat, if this will give it flat paint look.

What flat clear coat would you recommend?

Thanks,

Mannyrock

Mannyrock, I use RustOleum 2X Clear Gloss, which would not be acceptable for your use since you want a matte finish. Maybe Scalecoat or RustOleum has a matte clear finish you could use.

Mannyroc, I'm not sure what your level of expertise is in painting trains, but from your posts you seem to be relying on the computer and not the telephone or direct contact in finding what you think you want in paint. I'll assume with your computer expertise you do know that a seller's website can often be as much as a month behind their actual inventory. As to painting "...on ... cars and buildings" you really need two different kinds of paints.  For buildings, etc. use cheap water based craft paints from WallMart or a craft store like Michael's. It's about $1 or less a bottle. You'll need black, white, burnt umber, burnt sienna, blue, yellow, & red. I put globs of each on a sheet of scrap cardboard (think artist's pallette) and mix the color I want and using cheap brushes for all but the fine detail work. That's it for less than $10. Now for cars and locos I use a quality hobby paint (Scalecoat II, Tamyia, etc) which i spray on with a Preval; I sold my Paasche airbrush years ago. Why?  I find the Preval easy to use and to clean up. Even used rolling stock runs up to as much as $35  a car and i want a first rate job with all the rivets and small details still visible, so after painting and before decaling I spray it with rattle can gloss coat (Testor's Gloss  Coat is what my local hobby shop stocks). After the decals have dried overnight I then spray the car with a rattle can of Testor's Dull Coat (from the same local hobby shop). There may be other and even better ways, but these methods have served me well for over 35 years since I gave up restoring classic British sports in the mid 1980's - nothing like the smell of nitrocellulose lacquer in the morning!!

Modeltrainsparts,

Thanks for that excellent and detailed information.

Mannyrock

Ritchie, Lash and Joe, thanks for your info as well.

I now have alot of information to "absorb."

Mannyrock

I was just in the local Ollies discount store. They had some flat paints.  Ollies is a liqidator so the inventory widely varies store to store.

@lashup50 posted:

Mannyrock, I use RustOleum 2X Clear Gloss, which would not be acceptable for your use since you want a matte finish. Maybe Scalecoat or RustOleum has a matte clear finish you could use.

RustOleum does have a matte clear finish that I use quite frequently.  Does have a bit of a nose to it so using it outside or with good ventilation is recommended.

In Lowes. 

All these on the top shelf are satin and matte.

Satins are mixed in with gloss here.

Have fun painting.

Ron

Thanks for those photos Ron,

I used a can of the satin Honey yellow a few weeks ago.   The first light coat is satin looking.  But multiple coats seem to build up fast, and end up with more of a semi-gloss appearance.

I am definitely going to buy some Matte's though.

Mannyrock