The King 13: Mastering the ‘One Pull’ with the Mack & Hanson Collab

The art of pinstriping is an exercise in both extreme precision and profound confidence. It is a craft where the history of the hot rod and custom car culture is preserved through every hand-painted line. Within this tradition, certain tools achieve a status that transcends their functional purpose, becoming extensions of the artist's own hand. The Hanson/Mack “King 13” Collaboration is one such tool.

Born from a partnership between the legendary Andrew Mack & Son Brush Co. and renowned pinstriping artist Todd Hanson, the King 13 was designed to address the specific needs of modern craftsmen who demand the "one pull" capability: the ability to lay down a long, flawless line in a single, uninterrupted motion. This blog post explores the technical sophistication of the King 13 and provides a detailed guide on mastering the elusive one-pull technique.

The Heritage of the King 13 Collaboration

To understand the King 13, one must first recognize the heritage behind its creation. The Andrew Mack & Son Brush Co. has been the standard-bearer for pinstriping brushes since 1891. Their commitment to using premium materials and traditional manufacturing methods has ensured that the "human touch" remains at the forefront of the industry.

Todd Hanson, a master of the craft with decades of experience in the custom paint world, sought to refine the classic sword striper. The objective was to create a brush that offered more taper and superior turning control compared to the standard Series #10 or #20 models. The result is the King 13, a brush that combines traditional blue squirrel hair with a modified design that allows for smoother entry and exit of the line, providing the artist with an unparalleled sense of confidence.

Technical Specifications: Anatomy of a Masterpiece

The King 13 is not merely a variation of a standard brush; it is a re-engineered instrument. Several key technical features distinguish it from other stripers in the Pinstriper.com collection.

1. Chinese Blue Squirrel Hair

The choice of material is critical. The King 13 utilizes 100% unmixed Chinese blue squirrel hair. This hair is prized for its softness and its exceptional ability to hold a significant volume of paint. Because the hair is fine and supple, it lays down paint with a smoothness that synthetic fibers often fail to replicate.

2. Enhanced Taper and Shape

The hair in the King 13 is pulled and shaped to have a more pronounced taper. This design creates a finer point at the tip, which is essential for the "clean" look of professional pinstriping. The extra taper facilitates a more gradual transition when the brush is lifted from the surface, resulting in the perfect "tail" that characterizes high-end custom work.

3. Unique Hair-to-Handle Ratio

One of the most innovative aspects of the King 13 is its construction. For the smaller sizes, such as the 7/0 and 5/0, the makers use a #00 handle. By spreading a smaller amount of hair over a larger handle surface area, or by using 10% less hair than traditional sizes, the brush body becomes more responsive and less bulky. This allows the artist to "feel" the brush more acutely, providing better control over line weight and direction.

The 'One Pull' Philosophy

In the pinstriping community, the "one pull" is a mark of authenticity and skill. It refers to the practice of loading the brush once and completing a full design element or a long decorative line in a single, continuous stroke.

The King 13 is specifically weighted and tapered to support this philosophy. A brush with insufficient paint capacity or a blunt taper will require the artist to stop, reload, or "patch" a line: actions that often leave visible imperfections. The sophistication of the King 13 allows for a consistent flow of enamel, ensuring that the integrity of the line remains unbroken from start to finish.

Step-by-Step: Mastering the One Pull

Achieving a perfect one-pull line requires a combination of proper preparation and disciplined physical execution. Follow these instructional steps to utilize the King 13 to its full potential.

Phase 1: Preparation of the Surface and Paint

1. Clean the Surface: Ensure the workspace is free of dust, wax, and grease. Use a high-quality wax and grease remover to prep the metal, glass, or plastic surface.
2. Reduce the Enamel: Use a professional pinstriping enamel, such as 1 Shot. Thin the paint with the appropriate reducer until it reaches a consistency where it "strings" slightly when pulled from the palette but does not drip.
3. Condition the Brush: If the King 13 is new, wash out the factory sizing with water. Before use, dip the bristles in brush oil to prime them, then clean the oil out with reducer before loading the paint.

Phase 2: Loading the King 13

1. Dip and Roll: Submerge the brush hair into the paint on your glass palette.
2. Work the Paint In: Use a rolling motion to work the enamel 2/3 of the way up the length of the hair. Avoid getting paint into the ferrule (the area where the hair meets the handle), as this will cause the brush to lose its shape over time.
3. Shape the Sword: Pull the brush across the palette in one direction to shape the hair into a sharp, flat sword point.

Phase 3: The Stroke Execution

1. Establish a Bridge: Use your pinky finger as a "bridge" or support on the surface. This stabilizes your hand and allows for consistent pressure.
2. Initial Contact: Touch the tip of the King 13 to the surface lightly. This creates the start of the line.
3. Commit to the Motion: Once the tip is placed, apply slight pressure to achieve the desired line width and immediately begin moving your entire arm and shoulder. Do not rely solely on your wrist; the "one pull" comes from the steady movement of the upper body.
4. Maintain Consistency: Keep your speed, angle (approximately 45 to 60 degrees), and pressure constant throughout the pull. The King 13’s blue squirrel hair will maintain the flow of paint as long as the motion remains fluid.
5. The Lift-Off: As you reach the end of the line, gradually decrease pressure and lift the brush vertically. The tapered design of the King 13 will naturally create a sharp, elegant tail.

Choosing the Correct Size for the Job

The King 13 series offers various sizes to suit different scales of work. Selecting the appropriate size is vital for maintaining the "one pull" efficiency.

• Sizes 7/0, 5/0, 000, and 00000: These sizes feature a hair length of approximately 60 mm. They are designed for intricate, small-scale work such as helmets, guitars, or tight scrollwork.
• Sizes 00, 0, and 1: These sizes have a hair length of approximately 64 mm. They are the standard for automotive panels, long hood stripes, and motorcycle tanks, where a greater paint load is required for longer pulls.

For artists who require a different feel, Pinstriper.com also offers alternatives like the Virus Short Handle Series for those who prefer a more compact grip, or the Bobbo-Mack Super Quad for versatile multi-line work.

The Enduring Appeal of Hand-Painted Excellence

In an era dominated by machine-generated graphics and vinyl wraps, the hand-painted pinstripe remains a symbol of individual expression and artisanal skill. The Mack & Hanson King 13 is a testament to the enduring appeal of quality tools. By providing the precision of a fine-tapered point and the reliability of a deep paint well, it allows both the seasoned professional and the passionate hobbyist to execute work with a level of sophistication that defines the craft.

Mastering the "one pull" is a journey of practice and patience. With the King 13 in hand, the artist is equipped with a tool that preserves decades of history while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in custom ornamentation. Explore the full range of pinstriping supplies and begin your own tradition of craftsmanship today.