Cobra Motors - New Automotive Modeling paint from AMMO by Mig

[Justin Porter]

Red letter day at my shop because our Cobra Motors rack finally arrived. I was very pleased with these paints when I tried them for my own build of Tamiya's Alfa Giulia and with a few positive reviews from other local builders I took the plunge. For those who are curious, they're an airbrush ready water based acrylic in 30ml jars and designed as a two-stage (color coat/clear coat) system. They've rolled out with 62 paints in the line including a 2K clear (hardener & lacquer) and the blend of colors touches a little bit on everything from American classics to modern race cars. I'm definitely hoping the line is a success so that it grows over time. 

https://www.migjimenez.com/img/cms/PDF/Cobra_Motor_Dossier.pdf

[Bainford]

Very interesting stuff, Justin. I just had a thorough read of the linked dossier. The paint line-up includes some very interesting colours. I am quite interested in trying a few of these. Hopefully they are easier to ship to Canada than some lacquers and enamels seem to be. Thanks for posting.

[sfhess]

Cool stuff.

 

[tim boyd]

Justin., are they claiming the 2K clear is also non-toxic (as mentioned in the display stand graphics)? Asking because as we all know, the existing 2K is anything but non-toxid....TB 

[OldNYJim]

19 minutes ago, tim boyd said:

Justin., are they claiming the 2K clear is also non-toxic (as mentioned in the display stand graphics)? Asking because as we all know, the existing 2K is anything but non-toxid....TB 

I bet it’s the COLORS that are non-toxic, but not the clear (hence the careful wording) - but a safe(r) 2K would be a great thing indeed!  

Usual disclaimer; don’t drink paint, wear a mask, spray in a well ventilated place etc

 

[Bainford]

2 hours ago, tim boyd said:

Justin., are they claiming the 2K clear is also non-toxic (as mentioned in the display stand graphics)? Asking because as we all know, the existing 2K is anything but non-toxid....TB 

The dossier states in a couple places that the clear IS toxic. They are quite up-front about that. 

[OldNYJim]

28 minutes ago, Bainford said:

The dossier states in a couple places that the clear IS toxic. They are quite up-front about that. 

Yep - I hadn’t taken the time to read that until just now, but yep:

 

[tim boyd]

Thx Trevor and Jim...

BTW for those not familiar with this issue, authoritative sources say that with 2K paints you really need to use a respirator with a separate fresh air supply, typically only found in a 1/1 scale automotive body shop environment, as well as other precautions. 

Lots of varying points of view on the above and the overall health risks of 2K paints, particularly as it relates to hobby usage, so I won't belabor the points here.  My only comment is to make sure you are educated and read about the topic from authoritative outside sources (i.e., don't rely on hobby message board discussions), so that you are fully aware of the issues, and then decide on your own course of action accordingly...TB 

[Brudda]

49 minutes ago, tim boyd said:

Thx Trevor and Jim...

BTW for those not familiar with this issue, authoritative sources say that with 2K paints you really need to use a respirator with a separate fresh air supply, typically only found in a 1/1 scale automotive body shop environment, as well as other precautions. 

Lots of varying points of view on the above and the overall health risks of 2K paints, particularly as it relates to hobby usage, so I won't belabor the points here.  My only comment is to make sure you are educated and read about the topic from authoritative outside sources (i.e., don't rely on hobby message board discussions), so that you are fully aware of the issues, and then decide on your own course of action accordingly...TB 

This point should be taken seriously. I started in the body industry in 1970. We were using lacquer based paints with the occasional enamel complete paint jobs. I was wearing a mask and my coworkers were not. They are now dead because of a paint related issue. Fast forward to today. In just the last 2 years, 2 of the fellow body shop painters just had lung problems and kidney problems so severe that they had to quit their jobs. These guys were using the complete fresh air systems on the market and still had big health issues. So is Tim correct on 2K clears, YES!!!! Mask up with a professional paint mask, not the little paper ones for dust. Might as well not wear anything if you’re going to use those paper masks. And also for you political people I did not just say spray without a mask. Spend the money, get a professional paint respirator, what are your lungs worth? And do not paint this stuff in your house! Even if you think you have a great spray booth. The overspray that you don’t see is what hurts you. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

TAKE THE WARNINGS ABOVE SERIOUSLY.

EXPOSURE TO ISOCYANATES, TYPICALLY USED IN CLEARCOAT PAINT "HARDENERS", CAN RESULT IN BOTH IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM SERIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING DEATH.

RECURRING EXPOSURE TO EVEN "NONTOXIC" PAINT MATERIALS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS.

BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO BE AFRAID.

                                                              J U S T   B E   C A R E F U L

Edited October 17, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[Bainford]

The following statement is from the Cobra Motors info sheet;

Knowing this, I see no reason at all to use 2K clear on this paint. Use anything else. Frankly, I am quite surprised Cobra Motors chose to make their clear 2K. Why? If you can use anything else, why not make the clear anything else? They promote the non-toxicity of the colours, which seems important to them, so why choose the most damaging format for their clear?

[Brudda]

2 hours ago, Bainford said:

The following statement is from the Cobra Motors info sheet;

Knowing this, I see no reason at all to use 2K clear on this paint. Use anything else. Frankly, I am quite surprised Cobra Motors chose to make their clear 2K. Why? If you can use anything else, why not make the clear anything else? They promote the non-toxicity of the colours, which seems important to them, so why choose the most damaging format for their clear?

We have the same problem in 1:1 scale. The water based , base coats are waterborne but the clears are 2k. But the water based paints have a certain set of problems. It’s hard for your body to get rid of water based paints. The cells in your body do not get rid of the paints, instead the paint attaches to your cells because it’s water. Your body tried to get rid of lacquer or solvent based products, because your body sees the paint as attacking the body. It does not with water. This is what I was told by a coworker that had to quit his job as an automotive painter. All in all guys please be careful. Tim’s just trying to keep us safe. 

[Brudda]

2 hours ago, Bainford said:

The following statement is from the Cobra Motors info sheet;

Knowing this, I see no reason at all to use 2K clear on this paint. Use anything else. Frankly, I am quite surprised Cobra Motors chose to make their clear 2K. Why? If you can use anything else, why not make the clear anything else? They promote the non-toxicity of the colours, which seems important to them, so why choose the most damaging format for their clear?

Hello Bainford. I’m in Nevada and we have the same laws for paint products as California. It’s mostly political so I will not get into that. I have a shed set up just for painting my models. Heat, air conditioning air extraction. and it’s really dry here. I do not spray even in my garage. Just my paint shed which is far from the house. I have automotive respirators and all of the safety equipment. Even with this I’m still real careful with the paints and 2k clears. I wear a suit and gloves, and special glasses, just like work. If you’re careful , you will be fine. But for most modelers it costs money for safety. Most of my model friends just shoot the stuff anywhere and they wonder why they feel terrible. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

I personally wouldn't use 2k clear it r really nasty. It requires more than a face mask. It can be absorbed through the skin and eyes so a suit is requires and a face msk are needed.

A nice glossy finish can be achieved with lacquer with a little more work. You still need a good quality facemask.

[johnyrotten]

 I've read where with the 2k clears, and V.O.C's in general you can actually build up a sensitivity to them, so no "ill" effects right away to warn you. I've used them in the past on my motorcycles, and after really learning exactly what goes wrong, I take any precautions I need. 

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Hmmmm...looks like interesting stuff. Thanks for posting... -RRR