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Author Topic: HOK colors  (Read 1192 times)

Offline Alan Resinger

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HOK colors
« on: October 03, 2022, 02:30:23 PM »
Several years ago I designed a F8 Bearcat for Precision Aerobatics that was an in-line model like Paul Walker's P-47 and Chris Cox's Hellcat.  With limited paint scheme options I decided to go all in and copy the scheme that the 2018 Rare Bear used.  Try as I could, I couldn't find any info on the true colors used.  I spent considerable time writing and calling any lead I could get to no avail.  Looking a numerous pictures I finally decided that HOK auto colors were used but could not verify it.
At the Northwest Regionals in Roseburg Oregon this past May a flyer from Sacramento walked up to me and introduced himself and ask if I had brought the Rare Bear to the contest.  I had brought a newer version that had a fantasy Bear paint job. He was hoping to see the earlier version as it was one of his favorite airplanes.  He told he was a custom car and motorcycle painter and that a few years ago an outfit down in Texas had contacted him about doing some paint restoration on a airplane they were getting ready to race again at Reno.  When he ask what airplane, they told him the Rare Bear.  My eyes lit up and I ask if the paint was HOK as I suspected.  He confirmed it was so I ask what were the colors used.  He told me and then looked up the numbers for reference.  I told he I didn't want to use auto paint but use dope as I've used for 65 years now.
Over the years I have tried getting toners from auto paint suppliers with mixed results.  Some were total failures with material turning into jelly on several tries.  Most car colors are two part urethane bases which won't mix with dope.  Dope is very similar to lacquer which has just about disappeared from the auto painting business.  Color toners have to be older style acrylic base.
Luckily my new friend told me that the HOK colors are based on 1985 technology.   This is their Shrimrin line of colors.  HOK paint comes premixed and the smallest container size is a quart.  My new friend informed me that Valspar, the company that started House Of Kolor, had been acquired by another company and that they also owned Matrix System paints.  They can mix HOK colors and in reduced sizes. 
Armed with this info, I headed to a Matrix System paint shop.  After explaining what I wanted, the young man I was dealing with agreed to mix up the colors only, without any binders included. Only wanted enough for a half pint of paint.  He mixed it and brought the partially full can.  Here's the down side.  A quart of HOK  pearl basecoat paint will set you back somewhere around $200.  A half pint of the color I got was close to $70.  Prices of different colors vary.
I took the toner home and after mixing thoroughly for 5 minutes as this was a pearl color, I added it to twice the volume of Certified clear dope to the toner.  Thoroughly mixed I have plenty of this color that then needs reducing to spray onto my next project.
This gives an option to use some really striking colors for someone's PA model.  The cost is extremely high compared to some other methods, but if you want something really different and spectacular it is a way to go.   My new Rare Bear is in the painting process now.  The colors I'm using are from their PBC (Pearl Base Coat) series.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2022, 07:40:59 AM by Alan Resinger »

Offline kevin king

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Re: HOK colors
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2022, 03:17:35 PM »
Lookin forward to seeing it Al. Thanks for sharing this info too!
Kevin

Offline Miotch

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Re: HOK colors
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2023, 10:06:57 AM »
That is great information !!  Thank you.  I've used Matrix products several times with great results.  The cost is expected based on the fact I looked into using HOK on a project about 25 years ago and quickly decided against it after getting prices.  I was looking at a gallon of chameleon color.  Wow !!

Offline doug coursey

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Re: HOK colors
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2023, 02:10:05 PM »
I BOUGHT SOME PEARL POWDERS TO USE ON MY NOBLER........GOING TO USE PEARL PURPLE OVER A BLACK BASE HOPING TO GET A DEEP DARK PEAR PURPLE ALMOST BLACK COLOR WHEN IM DONE...POWDER MIXES WITH MOST CLEAR  PAINT


https://www.ebay.com/str/pearlspigmentsandpowders 
HERES THE ONE IM USING
https://www.ebay.com/itm/153400078083?norover=1&mkevt=1&mkcid=4&mkrid=711-166599-462199-9&mpt=63bddff17f4891cf26fee8f2ecf893a6&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=&siteid=0&ipn=admain2&placement=572155
AMA 21449

Offline Dennis Toth

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Re: HOK colors
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2023, 04:56:25 PM »
Two questions: Can you order small quantities of the HOK pigments alone? Second, is there a reasonable priced basecoat in normal colors?

Best,   DennisT


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