Tru-Color Paint

Paint Formula:

Tru-Color Paint now comes in four product lines, 3-D, Air-brush Ready, Paint-brush Ready and Spray Can formulas. Tru-Color Paint is an Acrylic-like solvent-based paint. Acrylic paints can be solvent-based or water-based, Tru-Color is solvent-based and therefore is a 'hot' paint that needs ventilation for the modeler when painting.

All bottled paint lines are formulated for airbrushing except the TCP-635 to TCP-641 (automotive engine colors) and TCP-800 to TCP-899 series (Flat Colors) which are formulated for application with a paint brush. The airbrush-ready colors dry glossy or semi-gloss and are ready for decal application. Some modelers have attempted to airbrush the 800 series paints with mixed results, but it is not recommended.

The new 3-D line of paint is formulated for airbrushing on 3-D printed items and cast resin parts. This formulation has more high-adhesion promoters to adhere better to these materials. About 40 colors are planned for this formulation.

Better than Accu-Paint.

This is an Acrylic-like solvent-based paint, not a Lacquer paint, even though some modelers claim it is. It is similar to the former Accu-Paint brand but better in pigment quality and bonding to materials. The bottles are physically smaller and weigh less than glass bottles yet have the same volume of paint. The owners of Tru-Color Paint have many years of experience in the automotive paint industry. Their expertise has been applied to this paint with it's excellent bonding to various materials, easy clean-up and accuracy in color. Tru-Color Paint has been selected by the United States Navy Museums as their exclusive paint brand for their models for these reasons. 

Shipping Information:

Shipping by First Class Mail is relatively inexpensive. Up to 15.9 ounces of paint can ship via USPS First Class Package.

Up to 1.5 lbs. of product can ship via Priority Mail. 1.5 lbs. is many bottles of Tru-Color Paint! Other paint brands ship by Ground package service in heavy glass bottles which can cost as much as the paint itself.

Tru-Color spray cans must ship via Ground package service. An order that includes spray cans will only have a Ground service shipping choice.

Special order paint:

Colors that are slow-sellers and 2-ounce bottles are usually not stocked by Arizona Hobbies. The paint will evaporate over time in the soft plastic bottles and the 2-ounce bottles do not fit the paint rack. Therefore, these colors and sizes are Special Order only.

Arizona Hobbies places Tru-Color orders a minimum of once a week and always early Monday mornings (unless on a Monday holiday). If special ordering paint, you will receive your paint sooner if you can get your orders in by early Monday morning. With the Pandemic, Tru-Color can be slow to ship product and keeping this schedule in mind will help get your order shipped more quickly.

Tru-Color Help and Links:

Here is an informative PDF file: Welcome to Tru-Color Paint

Here is a link to Tru-Color's FAQ page: Tru-Color Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a link to Tru-Color's YouTube Channel: Tru-Color YouTube Channel

Here is a link to an IPMS modeler's experience with Tru-Color Paint: IPMS Modeler's Review of Tru-Color Paint

Here is a link to YouTube with a modeler painting Tru-Color White on a black locomotive shell: Painting a black locomotive shell

The color swatches presented here are a rough approximation of the actual color because of digital camera and color monitor settings.