I knew Testors was killing off several lines of paint, but wow

[Monty]

Happened to notice that I was almost entirely out of Model Master Black Chrome Trim (#2735) so I started searching.  I naively assumed I'd find some on ebay or left over at one of the major hobby outlets, but no.  (Hobbylinc shows it as available until you try to put it in your cart, then they let you now it's been discontinued and can't be purchased).  It might be available in Canada, but I won't pay those outrageous shipping rates.  

I pretty much checked every US link that came up. Any ideas where else I can look?

[Kromolly]

Because of this I have sworn to never buy a Rustoleum product again.  I despise the corporate takeovers and subsequent ruining of old, quality companies.  I've tried to stock up on what I can and noticed there isn't much out there.  Time to figure out what replaces the old standby.  Sorry, I guess this isn't particularly helpful but I had to vent.

[peteski]

Scalecoat II Loco Black is a very nice satin black. Should be similar to the "Black Chrome Trim".

http://www.scalecoatpaint.com/

[Snake45]

BCT has been gone for quite a while. Disappeared from my local HL maybe 2-3 years ago. I think I got some online somewhere over a year ago. When the MM line was discontinued, I placed a large order of MM paints with someplace I'd never dealt with before. They had everything I needed except the BCT. 

Testor has a "Semi Gloss Black" in the little bottles now but it's glossier than BCT and I don't like it nearly as much. 

[TonyK]

Black Chrome Trim has been one of my favorites too. Use it all the time. There's been a couple of suggestions on a replacement and I think I've written them down somewhere but darned if I can find it now.

[oldscool]

1 hour ago, Snake45 said:

BCT has been gone for quite a while. Disappeared from my local HL maybe 2-3 years ago. I think I got some online somewhere over a year ago. When the MM line was discontinued, I placed a large order of MM paints with someplace I'd never dealt with before. They had everything I needed except the BCT. 

Testor has a "Semi Gloss Black" in the little bottles now but it's glossier than BCT and I don't like it nearly as much. 

I've noticed that as well Snake. Even the flat black became glossier over time. I have an old bottle of Floquil engine black that I use. Trying to stretch this last bottle as far as I can.

[Claude Thibodeau]

19 hours ago, Monty said:

Happened to notice that I was almost entirely out of Model Master Black Chrome Trim (#2735) so I started searching.  I naively assumed I'd find some on ebay or left over at one of the major hobby outlets, but no.  (Hobbylinc shows it as available until you try to put it in your cart, then they let you now it's been discontinued and can't be purchased).  It might be available in Canada, but I won't pay those outrageous shipping rates.  

I pretty much checked every US link that came up. Any ideas where else I can look?

Hi Monty!

I stocked on it upon the news. Last time I checked, two LHS still had some. Problem is, being solvent based, you are right to say that shipping would be prohibitive.

Again, we will have to adapt, it appears...

CT 

[El Roberto]

Alclad has a black chrome, but I haven't tried it yet.  

[El Roberto]

On 4/4/2021 at 9:34 PM, Kromolly said:

Because of this I have sworn to never buy a Rustoleum product again.  I despise the corporate takeovers and subsequent ruining of old, quality companies.  I've tried to stock up on what I can and noticed there isn't much out there.  Time to figure out what replaces the old standby.  Sorry, I guess this isn't particularly helpful but I had to vent.

Yeah, me too. I'm boycotting Rustoleum, I wish everyone else would.  

[Justin Porter]

Fortunately, there has never been a better time to invest in a replacement for those hoary old Testors paints. Between Tamiya, Mr Color, AK Interactive, and Vallejo you have a humongous variety of colors, finishes, and all of which spray better and clean up neater than those obsolete Testors enamels. 

[Muncie]

17 minutes ago, Justin Porter said:

Fortunately, there has never been a better time to invest in a replacement for those hoary old Testors paints. Between Tamiya, Mr Color, AK Interactive, and Vallejo you have a humongous variety of colors, finishes, and all of which spray better and clean up neater than those obsolete Testors enamels. 

I agree... posted this elsewhere on the forum - with a little editing, it's probably more appropriate here.

The paint department at the local hobby shop.  Wow! somebody went crazy. 

A couple of new paint displays from Revell... the displays even included some glues and paint brushes from Revell.  Revell has a bit of work to do to label things better and more clearly in the local language.  Overall, the Revell display wasn't so impressive but I expect it will be expanded in the future. 

Over the last few months they have been adding other brands for models and gundam, some for the general hobby builder, some for rail - plus a lot of the new paints for weathering, land, sea, and air. More metal finish options.   Humbrol, More Tamiya, More Mr. color, AK, Vallejo - too many brands to remember.  Paint products are expanding into other parts of the store.  They've been carrying lots of books on the new finishing techniques and materials.   In general, Testors won't be missed.

[Justin Porter]

1 minute ago, Muncie said:

I agree... posted this elsewhere on the forum - with a little editing, it's probably more appropriate here.

The paint department at the local hobby shop.  Wow! somebody went crazy. 

A couple of new paint displays from Revell... the displays even included some glues and paint brushes from Revell.  Revell has a bit of work to do to label things better and more clearly in the local language.  Overall, the Revell display wasn't so impressive but I expect it will be expanded in the future. 

Over the last few months they have been adding other brands for models and gundam, some for the general hobby builder, some for rail - plus a lot of the new paints for weathering, land, sea, and air. More metal finish options.   Humbrol, More Tamiya, More Mr. color, AK, Vallejo - too many brands to remember.  Paint products are expanding into other parts of the store.  They've been carrying lots of books on the new finishing techniques and materials.   In general, Testors won't be missed.

At my shop, paint is our #1 item and Tamiya 23ml bottles are the far and away leader in sales with AK Real Colors and Vallejo Model Air behind them. In the four years that I stocked Testors Model Master, the only time it sold in any quantity even remotely close to my other brands was when we clearanced it after the official announcement that the line was discontinued. That rack is now repurposed for AK Washes, Gunze Mr Color and Mr Metallic Color, and a selection of Gunze, AK, and Vallejo thinners and cleaners. Best brand swap my business has made yet. 

[peteski]

On 4/5/2021 at 9:47 AM, TonyK said:

Black Chrome Trim has been one of my favorites too. Use it all the time. There's been a couple of suggestions on a replacement and I think I've written them down somewhere but darned if I can find it now.

Did you look 2 posts above yours? 

[TonyK]

Yes, wrote that one down and hope to add other options as well. As mentioned from others, some paints are either too glossy or too flat to match the Black Chrome trim. I want something to match it as I've already got the Tamiya and Testors colors figured out and they have their place.

[DiscoRover007]

To be honest Vallejo has become the best brand all around for acrylics, airbrushing and hand painting. I pretty much use them exclusively, along with a few model master metalizers and tamiya metallics. 

Vallejo air black is excellent. If you want a slightly shinier semi gloss black I'd go with Tamiya lacquer semi gloss black in the glass jars, or the zero paint equivalent. 

Edited April 7, 2021 by DiscoRover007