13 replies to this topic

[PCH Parts Express]

We have heard from two Testors suppliers that that within the next few months Pactra R/C paint will no longer be made. Both the jars and spray cans will be discontinued by the factory. Many retail shops and their suppliers have plenty of paint in stock at this time. Tamiya R/C paint will continue to be made and sold.  

[Gator Bob]

Sales don't support production or the EPA said NO?

[Tom Eatherly]

Tamiya is a better paint anyway. Seems to adhere better to Lexan for us rattle canners.

[MrWeiler]

Already no new supplies for the local hobby shop...

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

We received notification about this about four weeks ago. The letter from them is somewhat unclear about the exact amount of product still left in their warehouse and mentions nothing official about reasons. The rumor is that there is several months supply available from them and at least two of my vendors have near four months worth in their warehouses. Pactra is part of the Rustoleum family. Many in the industry think that they want to go mass market. When's the last time you saw R/C paint in a Walmart?

There is a credible rumor that one of the hobby vendors is looking into buying Pactra and continuing production. Hopefully that will happen. Tamiya is great paint but you can't buy it in a bottle for airbrushing. Thank the CPSC for that.

 

And don't forget Spaztic. It's was recently bought by HRP and they are expanding the line.

[MantaRay]

Anyone try this:

 

Montana Black Spray Paints
 
Works well... nitrocellulose based... small can is 11 oz. for 8 bucks... Pactra is 3 oz.

[Ramcatlarry]

Pactra "RC paint for Lexan" is what we commonly use for slots. For the past year, I have used a lot more of the Pactra/Testors LACQUER paint generally available for styrene models.. .and I use it on both homeset plastic cars as well as Lexan slot car bodies. 

 

Are ALL of the lacquer paint lines to be affected???

[Cheater]

I saw this before I left town for the weekend:
 
End of the line for Testors Floquil and Polly Scale paint

[Cheater]

Seems the announcement was made last month:
 

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Dear Valued Partner,

I am writing to inform you about changes that are taking place at the Testor Corporation. For over 80 years, we have provided premium paints and finishing systems to the craft and hobby industry. Today, we announced that we are transforming our business in order to more effectively address the changing needs of our consumers and their interests.

We've made the decision to exit the following businesses within the Testor® Brand family - Pactra®, Floquil®, Polyscale®, and ColorArtz®. This will enable the Testor Corporation to return to our foundation of success providing premium, innovative product that inspires creativity. We will continue to accept orders and ship product for a limited time based on available quantities. Going forward, the following brands will be critical to our success and development Testor®, Model Master, and Aztek®. These brands will be infused with marketing support, innovation, and operational efficiencies.

In support of this, we have announced a consolidation of operations at our Rockford facilities. Over the next several months we will provide updates critical to your order and delivery needs as well as product availability. We assure you there will be no disruption to service during this transition.

Our commitment to the Testor brand has never been stronger. By implementing these changes, and the ability to leverage all of Rust-Oleum's world class services, we are more strongly poised to take your business to the next level through product and merchandising innovations, and increased customer intimacy. Please contact me or your sales manager directly with any questions.

We appreciate your business!

Best regards,
Kristin J. Schiro
Director of Sales & Marketing

Testor has been getting a lot of grief about this decision on their Facebook page.

[Champion 507]

Wow, I've shot gallons of Floquil paint on model trains over the years. The inside of my lungs might be boxcar red. I'm getting out of trains anyway, but this will be a shock to that community.
 
As an aside to that, a long-established model train shop in Oklahoma City told me last year that the MRIA (Model Railroad Industry Association) has all but declared model trains as a dying hobby. Those were his words, not mine.
 
Maybe Floquil's sales have dropped and thus are being discontinued. Sad.

[Cheater]

Just as an aside, the MRIA no longer exists under that name.

The Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA) was created in 2005 through the unification of three associations within the hobby industry: International Model Hobby Manufacturers Association, Model Railroad Industry Association, and Radio Control Hobby Trade Association.

 

Here's a paste from a recent HMA press release.

 

"Survey respondents were asked their opinions on the major problems facing the industry. The five major themes were:

1. Hobbyists are aging and the industry is not attracting a younger demographic.

2. The economy impacted the industry as hobbyists cut back on their hobby expenditures.

3. Internet sales and direct sales to retailers are hurting the traditional distribution channels.

4. Cheaper and lesser quality products from sources outside the U.S. are costing hobbyists more in the long run.

5. The decline in hobby retail stores has made it more difficult for consumers to find products and to try and learn more about them"

[Rick]

#1 rears its ugly head yet one more time, and pretty much sums up the future...

[Cheater]

Rick,

 

You do realize that the HMA is speaking of the hobbies within their purview, which does not include slot cars as far as I can tell.

[Ramcatlarry]

The "commercial" slot car industry opted out of the hobby industry when it decided to bypass traditional hobby shops in favor of the closed loop of distributors and track owners - excuding he home-based track owner. I paid my dues to the Track Owners Association for many years and could see both the pluses and minuses of that idea.

While homeset slot sales are part of the hobby shop network, it should always be a part of the "slot car" network.