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mitlitary paint

2.9K views 39 replies 9 participants last post by  **DONOTDELETE**  
#1 ·
Anybody ever tried military paint? Surplus city has it for 30 a gallon. Just wondering how it easy it would be to apply, durability, resistance to trees and rocks?

 
#2 ·
i um..once heard about ....well..ok.. my buddy swiped a bunch of orange from the HAZMAT locker at work.. it is the same orange the military rescue vehicles(like helicopters) are painted... it turned out great, but it is normal paint.. funny... a lot of jeeps in that area were white, orange, and olive drab.....

~~Elusive~~
it's sort of still a cj thingy....
 
#4 ·
If you get the 'Field Grade' paint, it seems to be a lot tougher...
The only problem is, the field grade paint only comes in flat, and I mean FLAT colors...
Flat Black, Flat Light Green, Flat Dark Green, Flat Brown.... You get the idea...
It is best applied uncut, with a sponge brush... I swear you can get in on 1/8 of an inch thick!
It resists scratches and gouges, and if it does get scratched, just feather the edges with a brick, and lay some more on ...
It's tough stuff.

I get it at the local surplus store, and it runs about $8 to $15 bucks a can depending on the color and if the can is dented or not...

All of the safety paint I have seen is high gloss, and usually plain paint.

By the way, the newer field grade paint is radar deflecting and will help keep laser guided stuff from locking onto you... That's for the benefit of you anti-government types out there...


Later folks,
Aaron.

"I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha"
 
#6 ·
Check the stuff again. If it is CARC paint it is the "field grade flat" color paint that TR is speaking of: it is really durable and it definately hides scratches. Touchup is also a snap because there is no high gloss finish to smooth out - simply touchup with a coarse spray and you are done. *****BUT****** be forewarned: If you spill any oil based liquids on it - the stain is there to stay especially if it is on anything fiberglass or kevlar.

Note: When properly CARC'ed, netted, and backdropped, your Jeep will also be invisible at night to Gen III and below night vision goggles too! /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

Liberals don't mind being lied to . . . they just want to be lied to by someone they trust!
 
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#7 ·
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I get it at the local surplus store, and it runs about $8 to $15 bucks a can depending on the color and if the can is dented or not... AND ... By the way, the newer field grade paint is radar deflecting and will help keep laser guided stuff from locking onto you... That's for the benefit of you anti-government types out there...
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Gotta have some of this stuff. It is priced right AND evading laser guided stuff ................ GOTTA HAVE SOME OF IT. /wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif Seriously, I do want to "OD" my TJ. I want the flat color. No shine, no gloss, and easy to touch up. Make some recommendations, please. Could probably get by without the radar deflecting if it made a bunch of difference in the cost. Interested in dull, flat, GI paint that is tuff and easy to touch up.
Thanks.

Doug '97 TJ
Creator of the CBrack
CBrack.com
 
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#9 ·
I found a great paint that is very durable. I had a friend that ran in the demo derbys and we worked for a construction co. at the time and we got laid off when the co. went under. Well I had about 6 cans of safety yellow paint in my truck that we used to paint curbs and poles. Really thick stuff. Well we painted one of his cars with stuff using a roller. It really looked good and had a nice textured look to it. He ran in the demo derby and the paint proved to be very scratch resistant. Just ask for safety yellow curb paint at the paint store.
Aaron

 
#10 ·
We just had the 'Field Grade' and 'Garrison Grade' paints when I was in.
The field grade is best applied with a brush or roller, uncut, you get a much thicker coat that way...
The Garrison Grade was almost a semi gloss, was already thin, and got used on vehicles that carried staff officers.

One thing to remember,
FLAT BLACK is FLAT BLACK.
No trying to match a thousand shades of red or three hundred shades of green.
Black is black. It matches perfectly no matter what.

Flat black is also hot as hell in the summer sun...

"I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha"
 
#11 ·
I used to have a DJ5 that was olive drab..... painted by the previous owner (an ex-special forces type). I think he had it special mixed by a paint supplier, though. I used model airplane paint (available in all military colors) for touchup. Loved the looks I got on the highway, double takes from both civilians and military types (it was a rare left hand drive DJ). In traffic jams people got out of the way of my "big green thing", and for "outlaw camping" it was great..... pull it a few feet off the road and it just disappeared.

Now I have a red CJ5 that doesn't need a paint job, but sometimes I'm tempted.....

-Dana

Ethernet (n): something used to catch the etherbunny



 
#12 ·
Okay so I can get in flat colors which is good. The yellow curb stuff would be cool, but its going to part hunting vehicle/part evasive radar vehicle (haha) and I would something between a brown and tan. I guess I'm stuck beteen the "field" grade and "garrison" grade. Is field the one to get? I have access to a compressor and spray gun and its something I've always wanted to try. Will the military paint go the sprayer all right? I'll probably get a couple gallons and do it up well. If a sprayer isn't a good idea I seen home depot has the sponge rollers like what you get with herculiner.
Now is it just the carc paint that will stain, or is it all military paint?
Which is better hammerite smooth for 50 a gal or military for 30 a gal? I'm thinking military but I'm not sure. Thanks for all the input!



 
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#16 ·
This may be or may not be a n alternative, I want my Jeep mostly for hunting and fishing. My thoughts ran to a great camo job that would help my Jeep blend and my wife says she will never ever drive a camo'ed vehicle. I found a product called "Camo Clad" at a local outdoors shop it is going on my CJ-6 as we speak. It comes in 4'x5' sheets of almost any camo you can think of(realtree breakup, shadow grass,forest floor, ect.) its basicly a giant thick decal you can cover your whole Jeep with. It also comes in removable and non-removable if you dont want it permanent. About $250 is doing my whole CJ-6 with allitle extra for repairs. Just another alternative


Jim

The first time I fell in the mud...
I realized I belonged there.
 
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#17 ·
Most military vehicle restorations use MV paint from two companies; Aervoe and Gilespie. Most military paints are flat to avoid glare to they are harder to spot. (24087 is the only semi-gloss that I an aware of - BTW the first 2 digits of miitry paint gives you the shine rating. 24 is semi gloss through 34 which is very flat.)

Flat paint looks flat b/c it has a jaged surface to reflect light at different angles. As a result, it is often porus,scratches easily, stains, and does not last as long as shiny paint. Shiny paint has less surface area and the paint particles are smoother on the surface - so has less area to wear.

Flat paints, especially mil spec paints, are flat b/c of heavy solids in the paint to allow fast build up. Aggitate the paint can as you spray to prevent the solids from accumulating on the bottom of the paint can.

Mil. spec. paints are not as durable as civilian paints. For durability, get the mil. spec color in PPG or Dupont ect. The military repaints its equipment often.

Finally, CARC paint. CARC paint is HIGHLY TOXIC - even when dry!!! Beware sanding it. CARC paint is far more dangerous than other paint. Finally, beware buying surplus CARC paint. It has a limited shelf life and turns to goo.

Shipping, you will get a $10 hazardous paint shipping charge for the order in the mail/UPS. The charge is for the total order and not per paint can (gallon)!! A few dishonest paint dealers will try to charge the $10 hazardous shipping fee per gallon. BTW: there is no hazardous shipping charge for arerosal cans.

I used Gilespie paint and liked it. I used it with both zythol (sp?) and NAPA brand synthetic reducer. The NAPA reducer makes the paint more durable. Remember using a reducer in a warmer temp range than recomended will result in either the paint drying before it hits the metal and/or makes the paint dry shiny.

Aeroval had a poor reputation in the past. I supposedly faded quickly. I do not know from experience. Rumor is they improved the paint to last longer. Contact www.bigelectric.com - the Dodge M37 Army Truck board, for more on the debate over whether Aeroval or Gilespie is better.

Some sources for mil. paint. ("A"-Aeroval, "G"-Gilespie)
Surplus City CALIF(818) 767-366 "A" at $29.95/gal.
Army Jeep Parts 215-788-6012 PA(George is a nice guy) "G" - $24/gal
Adirondack Jeep Parts NY 800-932-8020 "A"-$28/gal
Rapco TEXAS 940-872-2403 "G"-$24/gal
Alan R. Haage NJ 609-953-1003 "A" - $28/gal

Good Luck.
-Drew M.
 
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#18 ·
So can I go to Earl "paint over bird poop" Scheib or Maaco and get the $200 paint job special and get a desert tan flat paint job or would they laugh and say no can do? I think my TJ would look cool in desert sand flat with black trimmings.
Aaron

 
#20 ·
I've only seen pictures of the Jeep I mentioned, but the guy said it was easy to work with. It would be a good choice it your body isn't
in perfect shape. I bought two cans of earth yellow spray paint from Surplus City just to check it out. I did a small patch on my
Willys and like the way it looks. I'll spray the whole thing with a gun and use the spray cans for touch up.

BHT
 
#21 ·
i have seen gloss red(used for tool boxes)
gloss yellow(test equipment)
gloss orange(rescue vehicles)
gloss black(i don't know.. but i've seen it..)
gloss white(con-X boxes, test equip..etc)
semi-gloss olive drab
once again.. it's just paint.. the white is very good stuff..if you can get it cheap.. use it..

~~Elusive~~
it's sort of still a cj thingy....
 
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#22 ·
The military paint is fairly durable but there is one thing that you need to be careful with. If it CARC type paint, it is lead based so be careful using it. Any vehicles that ever needed to be repainted or touched up that had CARC paint had to be sent out to special shops due to the paint. Also it gets very hot in the summertime.

 
#24 ·
Thanks, this is a ton of info.
Well I want to avoid anything toxic, so carc is out (darn I was going to try to avoid some tickets too!)
I want something flat, like the sand color, maybe a little darker. I'm going to paint my rims the same color with the black accent (like you freak accident), and something I never have to put wax on or polish it. I'm tired of polishing my yj everytime a leaf rubs against it.
So, Gillespie brand sounds like the better brand. Drew, does this have the carc stuff in it?
One thing that i'm really concerned about that somebody mentioned was spilling oil based liquids on it and staining it. I would imagine that touching up the spot would be hard because the oil would probably soak in the paint? I don't know, just quessin.
What about dupont or ppg paint, is this stuff durable and is it cheap?


The camo sheets don't sound bad, kinda expensive, but don't sound bad.

If military and flat paints scratch and stain easily, what would be another alternative for something that is cheap and applies fairly easily?

 
#25 ·
cheap and applies rather easily..

hmm, my local auto paint wholesale outlet has paint for $29.99 a gal, hardener and reducer makes it $50 per gallon, any color you want.

thats the same paint most older cars/trucks came wearing, and its cheap enough to do it whenever it needs it...

but its glossy, unless you dont buff it out, then its still pretty glossy, but iM sure you could rough it up..



OzarkJeep
77 CJ5, in a bunch of sanded and primered pieces
 
#26 ·
I'm not a paint and body guy, so I'm not up on the paint types...
The other guy is correct, the military vehicles with field grade paint were constantly being touched up...
It was tough paint, but it would hold moisture and crud...
It was hard to get mud off of too. We used fire hoses to clean things, and that wouldn't get the crap off sometimes...

I like black, but a pattern of dark green, Two or three shades of Gray, and some black in tiger stripes made the jeeps invisible in low light or at night, and damned hard to spot in direct sun light...

I don't know how well the radar evasion of the paint is, but I know the police laser couldn't lock on even under a hundred yards...
If you have to run a front license plate, or have a flat windshield, all bets are off there also...

Later folks, Aaron.

"I Have The Body Of A God... Buddha"