RAL color chart: where to buy

17 years ago

I remember someone posting here about buying a RAL color chart, and what a great help it was designing their kitchen...

I'd love to get one, just so I can see an actual sample of the colors for Bluestar, not a computer approximation of the same. Plus, it would really help when looking at tile, granite, etc.

All the RAL stuff I can find online is aimed either at programers or manufacturers.

Help?

Featured Answer

oruboris
Original Author

16 years ago

I tell ya, its been making me kind of crazy.

RAL is the be-all, end-all system for standardized colors, world wide. But they look very different from one website to the next, and getting your hands on a color deck of your very own is tough [I think Ellene got lucky!].

I borrowed a Le Cornue RAL deck from a design center, and they let me have it overnight, but I think I could have borrowed their teenage daughter with less difficulty.

I guess the color biz hasn't caught on to the idea that a lot of us 'end users' want these things. The RAL system isn't just for professionals anymore.

Happily, I've found two sources. If you want a k7 deck, which has several small samples per sheet, there's a seller from the UK on Ebay. Ships to the US, too. Just search for 'RAL color' [or colour].

If you want a k5 deck, try Dorn color [link below]. The k5 deck has much larger samples, runs $43+shipping. I decided I wanted the k5 while standing in the rain trying to compare a postage stamp size sample to a slab of red dragon granite, wondering how much differenct there would be if the granite were dry, the light were different, and the color was on a 48 inch range.

These are the 'classic' samples, about 190 choices. The more extensive sets that have something like 5000 standardized colors [would make choosing paint so much easier!] run around a thousand bucks-- too rich for my blood.

Here is a link that might be useful: RAL color samples

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Comments (15)

ellene613
17 years ago
IFS Coatings sent me an RAL color fan for free; you can reach them at 866-IFS-CTNG. IFS paint is the powder coat on Bluestar.
Happykate
16 years ago
ellene613, exactly how did you manage that? I called that number & they said they could only send color charts out to companies, not individuals. I'd really like one, but how to pull it off?

Thanks! Kate.
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Happykate
16 years ago
Thanks, oruboris! I may spring for a k5 deck, but it would surely be nice to know ahead of time if the colors I'm interested in are in it! Someone suggested that an auto body shop might have one so I guess I'll start there before buying.
teresa_b
16 years ago
Oruboris,

Have you received your RAL color samples yet from Dorn? Have they been helpful?

Thanks in advance.

Teresa
oruboris
Original Author
16 years ago
I ended up buying a k5 deck from Gardco, cost about $80 IIRC.

Order process is a little complex since you have to order it, wait for the email invoice, and pay based on that-- they aren't set up to take orders in the usual way.

Heres the link:

Here is a link that might be useful: RAL color samples
plumorchard
16 years ago
I also got one from IFS Coatings for free. I've also referred a friend here and they got one too.
guadalupe
16 years ago
Just call Prizer/Blustar at 610-376-7479 and they will send you a color chart at no charge.
teresa_b
16 years ago
Hi Oruboris,

Thanks for replying, everyone. Was there a reason you went with Gardco instead of Dorn?

Teresa
oruboris
Original Author
16 years ago
Don't remember why I went through Gardco, but I'd already borrowed one of the smaller decks with 5 tiny colors per card from an appliance dealer, and found it pretty useless for comparing to granite slabs [etc], and felt the K5 was a worthwhile investment.
teresa_b
16 years ago
Oruboris,

My K5 is arriving today. Good idea to just purchase one's own and have decent size samples.

Teresa
teresa_b
16 years ago
My K5 is here, and I am leaning towards 3001 (Signal Red) or 3002 (Carmine Red). The 3003 is dark.

Oruboris, you are the color expert and have helped me before with issues so any thoughts on those as compared to 3003? I agree with you about 3004, it is quite dark.

Teresa
oruboris
Original Author
16 years ago
Reds are really light sensitive, and can appear quite different under florescent v. incandescent v. halogen v. natural. Important to choose one you like under all the combinations in your room.

That said, under most light [and to my eyes], 3000 [flame] and 3002 [carmine] look like scarlet-- too much orange to be true reds. But 3001 [signal] is a pretty true red, and under some light looks like a paler version of Ruby.
teresa_b
16 years ago
Thank you kindly, Oruboris!

Teresa
sb_ewe_iq-group_com
13 years ago
to buy ral colors guide