Why Scalecoat Is Moving to 1oz Bottles (And What It Means for You)

Recently, we asked the modeling community for input on something simple but important: do you prefer 1oz or 2oz bottles of Scalecoat paint?

The response was clear—many of you are familiar with and prefer 2oz bottles. Historically, Scalecoat was offered in both sizes, and most hobby shops primarily stocked the 2oz version.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to respond. Feedback like that matters.

That said, after careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to move forward with a single standard size: 1oz bottles.

Here’s why.

Keeping Scalecoat Alive and Available

The reality is simple: Scalecoat is not a cheap paint to produce.

From the core paint base to the pigments used for accurate railroad colors, the materials involved are significantly more expensive than many hobby paints on the market today. Some of the raw color components alone can cost thousands of dollars per production batch.

By standardizing on a 1oz size, we’re able to:

• Maintain healthier production margins
• Keep the product line sustainable long-term
• Continue producing the full range of colors
• Ensure Scalecoat remains available instead of disappearing

This decision is ultimately about one thing: making sure Scalecoat is still here years from now.

Better Availability and Fresher Paint

There’s also a practical benefit for modelers.

Smaller bottles mean:

• More units produced per batch
• More colors in stock more often
• Less chance of paint sitting too long before use

Scalecoat is a high-performance coating system, and once a jar is opened, exposure to air begins a gradual curing process. A 1oz bottle is more likely to be used up before that becomes an issue, meaning less wasted paint and more consistent results.

Use What You Need—Buy What You Need

For most projects, 1oz is more than enough paint. But if you need more, the solution is simple:

• Buy multiple 1oz bottles

For customers working on larger projects or wanting to combine paint, we also offer empty 2oz jars so you can mix multiple bottles into a single container if needed.

This gives you flexibility without forcing every customer into a larger size they may not fully use.

Custom Larger Quantities (When It Makes Sense)

For those who truly need larger volumes, we are exploring options for custom runs in pints or quarts depending on the situation.

However, it’s important to understand that:

• Larger quantities introduce shipping restrictions
• Hazard handling requirements increase costs significantly
• These sizes are not practical for standard retail distribution

Because of that, larger formats will likely remain a special-case offering rather than a standard product line.

Simplifying Production Means Better Consistency

Offering multiple bottle sizes adds complexity at every stage:

• Filling and packaging
• Inventory management
• Distribution logistics

By focusing on a single size, we can streamline production and put more attention where it matters most—the quality and consistency of the paint itself.

Supporting Hobby Shops and Dealers

This change also helps us address something important behind the scenes.

Historically, Scalecoat has been considered a “short discount” product, meaning retailers didn’t always have as much margin to work with compared to other paint lines.

Our goal moving forward is to improve that.

With a more sustainable structure, we’re working toward:

• Better pricing for dealers and distributors
• Stronger margins for hobby shops
• More flexibility for stores to offer competitive pricing

That’s good for everyone. When shops can carry and promote a product more effectively, it stays visible, available, and supported in the market.

A Long-Term Decision for the Brand

We understand that some modelers preferred the 2oz format, and we don’t take that lightly. But this decision wasn’t made casually—it was made with the long-term health of the Scalecoat line in mind.

By focusing on a single, efficient size, we can:

• Keep production sustainable
• Improve availability
• Reduce waste
• Support dealers better
• Continue offering the colors and performance modelers expect

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, this is about keeping Scalecoat strong, available, and worth using.

If you need more than 1oz, you can always buy multiple bottles. If you want to combine them, we’ve got empty jars available. And if you’re working on something large-scale, we’re open to discussing custom options where it makes sense.

We appreciate the feedback, the support, and the continued trust in Scalecoat.