Important notice for Canadian modellers regarding Tamiya Spray Cans

[realworkingsailor]

Yesterday I was shopping online at a Canadian hobby store and noticed an announcement regarding Tamiya spray cans. To summarize:

 

Effective September 24th the importation of all Tamiya spray cans has been banned. This includes all paints in the TS, PS and AS ranges and all forms of Tamiya spray primer, but does not concern any non-aerosol products. Retailers are permitted to sell their remaining stock, but all imports have been halted. Any stock held by distributors has had to be destroyed. 

There seems to be a lot of online hysteria regarding this ban, but it is NOT a political issue. There is a chemical component in Tamiya spray cans that has been banned in Canada since 2010, due to environmental and/or health concerns. This is likely a case of the government regulators finally getting around to evaluating Tamiya’s products. 
 

I would also strongly caution anyone trying to import Tamiya paint via a US or other foreign retailer. If Canada customs decides to inspect your parcel there’s a good chance the paint will be removed and destroyed, and likely you will have a struggle to get any form of refund.

 

Andy

[James H]

I consider Tamiya Fine Surface Primer to be one of the very best around.

 

If the Mr Surfacer equivalent isn't banned, then that is every bit as good.

 

[realworkingsailor]

21 minutes ago, James H said:

I consider Tamiya Fine Surface Primer to be one of the very best around.

 

If the Mr Surfacer equivalent isn't banned, then that is every bit as good.

 

Doing some digging around, it would appear the chemical in question used in the Tamiya spray paints is  2-Butoxyethanol  CAS no. 111-76-2

 

I believe this is used to forestall the drying process in acrylic paints. Vallejo used to have it in their airbrush thinner and flow improver.

 

If I’m not mistaken Mr Surfacer is a lacquer paint and shouldn’t have 2-Butoxyethanol in it.

Andy

 

 

[DocRob]

On my island, it is impossible to get any spray cans imported since years. It´s not due to poisonous ingredients, it´s because they changed the type of plane, which transports them and some rules apply to the newer ones.
I use Mr. Surfacer from the jar since then. It sprays absolutely fantastic, thinned with Mr. Leveling Thinner. I have grey, black and white with the grade from 1000 to 1500. Tamiya rattle can primer was more convenient, but I adapted.

Cheers Rob

[JKC27]

Did all Canadian retailers have to return all the Tamiya spray cans after Dec 31?  I meant to stop by my local hobby shop, but never had the chance.

 

I don't use the spray cans, but would have scooped some up if they were clearing them out.

[realworkingsailor]

2 hours ago, JKC27 said:

Did all Canadian retailers have to return all the Tamiya spray cans after Dec 31?  I meant to stop by my local hobby shop, but never had the chance.

 

I don't use the spray cans, but would have scooped some up if they were clearing them out.

From what I saw online, and in person, all sales of the affected products was to stop after December 31, and any unsold inventory to be turned in for disposal. 
 

There were no bargains to be had, however, prices remained at regular retail rates. 
 

Andy

[JKC27]

The one local hobby shop here in Windsor still has them on the shelf, but not getting any more obviously.  The owner told me that he received no direction on what to do.

[realworkingsailor]

On 1/6/2025 at 8:58 AM, JKC27 said:

The one local hobby shop here in Windsor still has them on the shelf, but not getting any more obviously.  The owner told me that he received no direction on what to do.

Most likely due to whatever business arrangement the owner has with his supplier. Some small hobby shops aren’t extended credit from suppliers (the owner has to buy his stock from suppliers before they will ship it to him), this would make the retailer the “end user” as far as the supplier is concerned, so any follow-up is the responsibility of the retailer. 
 

Andy