Rick Galazzo and Scott Cohen started Tru-Color Paint in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008, based on their experience in formulating paint for the commercial market. They reformulated the former Accupaint formulas and created this paint line. It is refreshing to see that in today’s day and age with model kits and supplies moving overseas, that these paints are made in the USA. They have five paint lines including automotive, aircraft, naval and military colors, including many sets to make a project easier by having all the colors in one box. Another huge bonus for me is that Scott Cohen wrote a personal letter explaining the paints for review, a request for new paint color suggestions, and genuinely supporting modelers and IPMS. Based on all this, I was eager to try these paints for myself.

This is new release from Tru-Color solvent-based paint system labelled TCP-10900: Modern Distribution Industry Set #1 consists of six 1-ounce bottles set. The paint set comes in a sturdy box complete with the six bottles of paint, a sample of their masking paper (fristkit), and two inserts (one an instruction and information side, with available paint sets on the other side, and a paint set-specific sheet with color illustrations/photos of modern industrial buildings. The following paints are included:

• TCP-800: Flat/Brushable White
• TCP-801: Flat/Brushable Concrete
• TCP-804: Flat/Brushable Grimy Black
• TCP-805: Flat/Brushable Black
• TCP-818: Flat/Brushable Light Tan
• TCP-819: Flat/Brushable Dark Tan

I have seen TCP paints at the IPMS Nats but bypassed them as I typically work with acrylic paints. After reviewing the Tru-Color Paints sprayable paints, when this flat/brushable paint set came up for review, I jumped at the chance. I am glad I did. Being a solvent-based paint intimidated me, but it shouldn’t have. While TCP has their standard thinner (TCP-015), they mention you could use acetone for cleaning and thinning. I found TCPs useful “How to Use Tru-Color Paint’s Sprayable Paints” on YouTube ((93) How to Use Tru-Color Paint's Sprayable Paints - YouTube). After the informative 9 minute, 8 second video, and reading their enclosed flyer, I jumped in and was impressed with the ease at painting. For this review, I painted with both brush and airbrush. The lighter colors reflect the brush strokes, even with a little thinner, while the darker colors flowed better with little-to-no brush marks.

I used spoons for the paint samples. First, the top of the spoon was brush painted, then the bottom airbrushed. The brush painted portion lifted with the masking tape after airbrushing. The good thing was touch up was easy with the flat/brushable paint. In my opinion, the airbrushed paint looks better. A selling point of Tru-Color Paint is that the airbrushed paint dries with a gloss/semi-gloss finish while the brushable paint has a flat finish. The finish and lifting paint would be moot points to me as I typically seal and protect between layers and finish off a protective coat based on the final finish I wish to achieve. The paint dried hard and held up to further handling.

Tru-Color Paints will be an addition to my paint bench as I am thoroughly impressed with the color right out of the bottle. Following their easy-to-understand instructions makes painting ridiculously easy, as long as the precautions and instructions are followed. The colors in TCP-10900: Modern Distribution Industry Set #1 paint set will find use on a plethora of subjects and will be a welcome addition to most modelers benches.

Profuse thanks to Tru-Color Paints and IPMS-USA for providing the review sample.