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Harmon Kardon Citation II Paint Color

vaathi

vaathi

baski
Subscriber
Hi all..
I am trying to find a period specific paint color for HK Citation II. I may use a auto-body painter( who did a splendid job of repainting Quarter panel in my SUV) to do the work. I just want to know which is the closest paint to the original. In all possibility the bottom plate may need a strip and repaint. Also where do I can get the lettering to lay down after repaint. Thanks for your help in advance. I did read multiple restoration thread to figure out the color code for the paint but I couldn't locate a thread with one yet. I have seen people use Spray can to paint the transformers. But since I will be completely redoing the paint ( chassis + trasnformers) I would like a professional to do it.
 
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I have painted a ton of xformers. I paint hot rods. The painter will look at the original paint and make a color to match it in his / her mixing room. Lettering lettering will be tough. Lots of options, none cheep. So far I have stayed away from lettering, till I have more time to play with it.
 
For my transformers, I used Rustoleum "Bittersweet" primer/paint over gray auto primer. It is a matte finish that I applied several clear coats over and did a wet sand & polish afterward. Looks great and has hardened nicely. It is the darker brown that was prevalent on the middle version of the C II. A very close match to the original.

My preference would have been to have an automotive body shop do it. Difficult in NYC for a reasonable price.

I pulled this off of the yahoo Citation group pages. I have not used it.
 

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A paint store, like Sherman Williams can computer match to the original color from a sample piece. I've had zero success trying to buy pre-mixed paint to match chassis colors. SW has an 'enamel all surface based satin paint' that after matching sells for about $20-$25 per quart. I have some for my HK gray Award Series tube cages and also had some mixed for my EICO's. From what I can tell the color matches perfectly. On the EICO, I repainted just the top of the chassis, left the vertical surfaces as-is, those surfaces were in good condition. Matched well.
SW Paint (1).JPG SW Paint (2).JPG IMG_8587a.jpg
 
One more question about the paint. Since this transformers will be cooking itself and the tubes nearby also chime in the hot party, is there any specific paint I need to go for.
x3workshop said:
For my transformers, I used Rustoleum "Bittersweet" primer/paint over gray auto primer. It is a matte finish that I applied several clear coats over and did a wet sand & polish afterward. Looks great and has hardened nicely. It is the darker brown that was prevalent on the middle version of the C II. A very close match to the original.

My preference would have been to have an automotive body shop do it. Difficult in NYC for a reasonable price.

I pulled this off of the yahoo Citation group pages. I have not used it.
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First of all Thanks @x3workshop. I am going to try the auto paint guy who painted my Landcruiser. I will do it myself if this guy quotes too much. I have wagner spray paint which I can use. Still I would like to use the professional since I am pouring more money into restoration of this unit.

buickguy62 said:
A paint store, like Sherman Williams can computer match to the original color from a sample piece. I've had zero success trying to buy pre-mixed paint to match chassis colors. SW has an 'enamel all surface based satin paint' that after matching sells for about $20-$25 per quart. I have some for my HK gray Award Series tube cages and also had some mixed for my EICO's. From what I can tell the color matches perfectly. On the EICO, I repainted just the top of the chassis, left the vertical surfaces as-is, those surfaces were in good condition. Matched well.
View attachment 981967 View attachment 981968 View attachment 981969
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Eico amp looks cool. Do you have formula for the mix.
 
vaathi said:
One more question about the paint. Since this transformers will be cooking itself and the tubes nearby also chime in the hot party, is there any specific paint I need to go for.


First of all Thanks @x3workshop. I am going to try the auto paint guy who painted my Landcruiser. I will do it myself if this guy quotes too much. I have wagner spray paint which I can use. Still I would like to use the professional since I am pouring more money into restoration of this unit.



Eico amp looks cool. Do you have formula for the mix.
Click to expand...
If you take the picture of the label in my second picture to Sherman Williams, they would be able to mix the same for you. Might be enough to have just the order number, but to be safe best to have the full paper label.
 
Auto paint is the way to go if it isn't too $$. The paint that I used has held up well to the heat, but I've only got about 130+ hours on the amp since the rebuild.
 
Just to give the op an idea of what he is looking at..I charge about $200.00 or so a piece. My clear, $500. 00 a gallon , primer the same. I make stands for each one. Well over 10 Hr of work per unit. More if they have dent"s". I have paint from the 80's that still look like it just came out of the booth. It is all in the prep. And not cutting corners. My transformers will look like new for the next 50 years. On gloss give them a car wax every 2 years or so. Good luck, really nice amps.
 
As mentioned I've used the computer color matched Sherman Williams paint for the metal tube cages on the HK Award Series (A300, A500, A700) amplifiers. The covers sit about 1/2" to 3/4" above the output tubes and except for a slight initial odor as the paint completes out-gassing from the tubes heat, has held up very well. Probably hotter there than on a transformer.
TomIMG_0486.JPG IMG_0480.JPG
 
I am gonna talk to the paint guy who has automotive paint shop and he is doing this as a favor for my friend who is a Mechanic. My friend says that these guys are good and hopefully everything works out. One question about the paint, Should I ask for high temp paint or any paint should work. He says Auto Paints are inherently Heat resistant.
Also regarding gold lettering: Should it be done before the clear coat or it should be done after the quote. I need to find a place to get the folical done or someplace which can do screen printing.
 
Regular auto clear will be fine. The gold lettering goes on first. Good luck. Pics when you are done. Fine amps, worth the effort.
 
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