Good shine with Cobra Colors paint?

Hi guys!

I just start using Cobra Colors paint to paint my models. Before, I was using Duplicolor spray can and with the clear, the polish and the wax, the shine was very nice, like this
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7512/shine3ak.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

But with the Cobra Colors paint I tried, there is less gloss and I am wandering why. I did 2 mist coats, then 2 heavier coats and then 2-3 wet coats. Now, no more paint for this color. Do you think that the clear, the polish and the wax will bring a good shine on this one? Can you tell me what was not good when I paint it?

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/6131/corvettecobra0xk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
(Yeah, I know, I forgot this damn mold line :-()
Thanks a lot!
Simon

Well it is my understanding Cobra Colors is an automotive based multiple coat system that needs a clear coat over the top to give a gloss finish. The mid coat is meant to be matt or flat. Cobra Colors should sell a clear that will work perfectly over the matt colour and give a very nice, deep gloss finish.

Wow, that's a nasty mold line too.

Clear, polish and wax should bring the shine up.

CobraColors solids don't need a clearcoat, they polish out just fine themselves. A polished clearcoat will give it shine too, but it's not necissary. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of my F40 polished up- yet.

By the way, what are you thinning with? I found it makes all the difference in the quality of my painting.

I don't thinning it, use it from the bottle. So it's normal that the paint without any polish or clear look. Your results with this paint look like this before the "shinning process"?

Yeah, I just saw this mold line after I paint it :-(

Thanks!

I thought Cobra Colors came pre-thinned?
Of couse I've never touched the stuff living in Australia. :dunno:
But being PPG formulated I assume it is very similar to PPG paints I have used.

I don't thinning it, use it from the bottle. So it's normal that the paint without any polish or clear look. Your results with this paint look like this before the "shinning process"?


No, but my results used to look like that before I started thinning the paint when spraying.

Yeah, it is 'pre-thinned', meaning you can in fact spray it through an airbrush. But thinning it with good quality (not the crap you get at the hardware store!) laquer reducer dramaticly improves it's performance. The paint and primer go on smooth. Trust me, it's more than worth it.

Your paint can definately be brought to a high shine by polishing it. I painted three cars with CobraColors before I discovered reducer- all shined up beautifully, but all took alot of work. It's much much easier when you start with smooth paint.

But I seem to remember we've had this discussion before....

With the exception of possibly Alclad, ive found that ALL "pre-thinned" paint needs to be thinned a bit more. The drying agent in all paints dissapate after time so unless it is newly bottled there will be some thinning required.

The matte appearance of that finish is normal as the first stage of the two-stage finish. The second stage clearcoat provides the gloss, but since it's a solid color you can rub out the finish without distorting it's appearance unlike a pearl or metallic finish. The main problem with skipping the clearcoat is that you'll lose the element of depth to the finish, and the clearcoat (at least the stuff I have anyway) is more durable than the colorcoat so it will polish out with greater gloss. It also adds protection against sanding through the paint into the primer.

Thanks a lot guys, gonna put some clear soon.

What kind of thinner do you use MPWR? I have Duplicolor's thinner at home, I am pretty sure it's not a good idea to mix those two...

PPG DTL-105. Leon has some good info on laquer thinner in his tutorials- including where to get it. He says he can get it in quart size cans, I checked with four different distributors in my area and couldn't find it in anything smaller than gallon size. I felt silly buying a gallon of laquer thinner for tiny little bottles of CobraColors.

But then I tried it.... :rolleyes:

Thanks, but I think I can't get PPG paint where I live (Quebec, Canada) :-(
Gonna check Leon's tutorials again.

You were right, I put two coats of clear and WOW! The paint is great.
I don't know what type of clear is it, but it's at least one million times better than my duplicolor clear.

I need to order at least 10 jars when my father will go back in the USA :-)