CUCV Camo Paint Pattern

[Rrent]

Pictures are available everywhere of CUCV's and the pattern is no pattern. It is sprayed in the same areas freehand. A proto type model/example just helped to keep the paint somewhat uniform on each CUCV so they were all the same. Originally they were robotically painted. This help keep the scheme uniform on each unit. If done one by one different results are achieved. One guys idea of camo vs another guys is 2 different things 2 different schemes each person would have a different idea of the combination and paint scheme. They adopted the same uniform camo scheme to make all the vehicles look somewhat the same. When new and lined up the were identical paint and the fenders and doors and each part were exactly the same. Kept the uniform camouflage scheme until they were repainted. IMHO I like the look of the original camo scheme with the trim and grille green. I think it shows a well painted vehicle that a lot of attention to detail was used. Many things in automotive look best with the factory set up. And then get mutated as time goes on. it is the original that seems to hold the value and be the real treasure. The survivors as they call them. The res-tiqued not the restored are fast becoming the higher priced in vehicles. Your opinion may vary and that is fine. i just notice lately that people are wanting the patina and mild imperfection to go with the age and add character to the vintage vehicles. Not the same as classic cars. But even some of them are clear coating over rust and dents and minor impofections. the useable and not afraid to drive restorations are going that way.

I know this thread is as old as the hills - but a question, none-the-less. Can I just rattle can the black and brown after a complete green air compressor/paint gun job. If yes - it looks like the camo wasn’t “taped off” except maybe something between the black and brown.
I’ll give it a hard looking at after I spray all green, but think the original style camo give it a little more.

 

[cucvrus]

Yes, you can. I always use black last as the last color. And no need to tape anything when doing the black and brown.
1986 CUCV M1009 Decade after being wrecked. | Page 23 | SteelSoldiers
I have painted a few. Good Luck.
This paint works great. Camouflage Paint - | Krylon
I give it an A + for durability and ease of spraying.

 

[INFChief]

I know this thread is as old as the hills - but a question, none-the-less. Can I just rattle can the black and brown after a complete green air compressor/paint gun job. If yes - it looks like the camo wasn’t “taped off” except maybe something between the black and brown.
I’ll give it a hard looking at after I spray all green, but think the original style camo give it a little more.
[/QUOTE

Just assume that CARC paint was originally applied. So wear a respirator and keep all paint dust out of eyes and off your skin.

When we painted vehicles there was an Army publication that showed what colors went where and how to place markings and the dimensions the markings should be. We would chalk outline the colors and number each patch 1, 2, 3, and so on. Then the different cam pattern colors were sprayed on - just like “paint by #’s”. If there was a little overspray it wasn’t a big deal.

 

[cucvrus]

I advise against the chalk lines. I done this one time and I had chalk lines show thru on the edges. If over spray don't matter use a picture and do your best. I painted many things and only did the chalk 1 time with less than favorable results. Not my truck, do as you wish. Have a Great Day.

 

[M813rc]

As Cucvrus said, chalk shows through the paint.
I have had good luck making small pencil marks at key points of the pattern, don't have any problem with them showing through. I've never tried outlining the whole pattern in pencil, I may have to experiment with that.
A friend did the same trick, but used a magic marker of some sort instead of a pencil- the ink apparently reacted with the paint and bled through to the surface. So you probably shouldn't use those!

Cheers

 

[cucvrus]

Pencil lead on the surface will repel paint. Anything on a top coat is going to interfere with the adhesion and finished results. On a combat vehicle that is still being used tactically it will not matter. On a private owned vehicle I would not like it. I try my best. It is wet on wet. I spray the entire vehicle green and them move on right away to the brown and right after that to the finish of black. I use pictures and a great Wife to point and direct during the camouflage pattern. If it is close and has nice smooth edges it is the look and quality that is needed. Old CARC used to be a PITA and get dry edges everywhere. The best thinner to use was MAK. I used MEK and it dried before it adhered. But with the rattle cans you can do a decent job but same as anything else. 99% of the job is the preparation and without proper preparation you are wasting your time. Over sprayed rubbers, glass and lights are what I see a lot on camouflage paint jobs. Good Luck. Do it right.

 

[INFChief]

As Cucvrus said, chalk shows through the paint.
I have had good luck making small pencil marks at key points of the pattern, don't have any problem with them showing through. I've never tried outlining the whole pattern in pencil, I may have to experiment with that.
A friend did the same trick, but used a magic marker of some sort instead of a pencil- the ink apparently reacted with the paint and bled through to the surface. So you probably shouldn't use those!

Cheers

Not trying to argue; but I will say that I helped paint an entire Mechanized Infantry Battalions vehicles in woodland camo. Not a single chalk line was visible.

 

[Another Ahab]

Not trying to argue; but I will say that I helped paint an entire Mechanized Infantry Battalions vehicles in woodland camo. Not a single chalk line was visible.

What you're saying is that you all DID use chalk, but that it presented no problems, is that it?

Anything tricky about how you all did it?

 

[cucvrus]

I could not even think of putting chalk on wet paint. But I am not that good at painting, so I guess if you painted a battalion of vehicles with chalk like I said I did it once with less than favorable results. I like the freestyle look. How could it be wrong? It's camouflage. Good Luck.

 

[Mullaney]

.
It is incredibly OLD FASHIONED but the old overhead projector - something like was used in grade school - is a good way to push the outlines to the truck. The TM that shows you how to paint the shapes with a projector makes the job simple.

YouTube and searching will give you samples. Not especially on military trucks, but you get the idea of how it could be done...

 

[INFChief]

I could not even think of putting chalk on wet paint. But I am not that good at painting, so I guess if you painted a battalion of vehicles with chalk like I said I did it once with less than favorable results. I like the freestyle look. How could it be wrong? It's camouflage. Good Luck.

You misunderstood. We traced the camo pattern out in chalk then numbered each pattern 1, 2, or 3. Then we sprayed the chalked pattern with whatever color the number called for. So we were spraying over the chalk.

 

[reloader64]

As Cucvrus said, chalk shows through the paint.
I have had good luck making small pencil marks at key points of the pattern, don't have any problem with them showing through. I've never tried outlining the whole pattern in pencil, I may have to experiment with that.
A friend did the same trick, but used a magic marker of some sort instead of a pencil- the ink apparently reacted with the paint and bled through to the surface. So you probably shouldn't use those!

Cheers

What's a magic marker?

 

[Mullaney]

What's a magic marker?

.
Not so magic... Just a marker that is either permanent or removable - generally used on paper. Yeah, they tend to bleed into the paint and stain it permanently. Guessing that it was a permanent (oil based) and repelled the next coat of paint.



Magic Marker is a brand name like Kleenex or Coke

 

[M813rc]

What's a magic marker?

It's a complex piece of equipment, I'll get you a book on how they work. Its mostly pictures, no big words.

Cheers

 

[reloader64]

.
Not so magic... Just a marker that is either permanent or removable - generally used on paper. Yeah, they tend to bleed into the paint and stain it permanently. Guessing that it was a permanent (oil based) and repelled the next coat of paint.

View attachment 857592

Magic Marker is a brand name like Kleenex or Coke

Mostly, I was poking M813rc, 'cause old people say "magic marker!"

 

[dougco1]

Mostly, I was poking M813rc, 'cause old people say "magic marker!"

Old people??

 

[M813rc]

Old people??

It's a running joke with he and I.

Cheers

 

[frank8003]

Here is something to read about your camouflage.

CUCV Camouflage Painting Patterns - The Ranger Station

These patterns are from TB 43-0209, Color, Marking and Camouflage painting of military vehicles, construction equipment, and materials handling equipment, published by the Department of the Army. For each version of CUCV (pickup, utility, and ambulance) there are the … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

And maybe, for all that money, one should read the TM's and TB

 

[INFChief]

What's a magic marker?

 

[INFChief]

I could not even think of putting chalk on wet paint. But I am not that good at painting, so I guess if you painted a battalion of vehicles with chalk like I said I did it once with less than favorable results. I like the freestyle look. How could it be wrong? It's camouflage. Good Luck.