Question: Best brand / Place to buy touch up paint for HUMVEE ?

[JoeJrTheBarber]

With the addition to some aftermarket items to my new to me 1988 Humvee I was wondering what the best brand spraypaint
is out there to give the closest match to the original CARC paint on the truck ? The generally available "military" paint doesn't come close, hence my question.
Also where to source this amazing product would be very helpful as well..

Thanks in advance,

 

[Gunzy]

Rapco is the closest I have found.

 

[Valence]

With the addition to some aftermarket items to my new to me 1988 Humvee I was wondering what the best brand spraypaint
is out there to give the closest match to the original CARC paint on the truck ? The generally available "military" paint doesn't come close, hence my question.
Also where to source this amazing product would be very helpful as well..

Thanks in advance,

Whether your truck is tan, green, woodland or a collection of different colored parts, unfortunately you will never match the color of faded CARC paint - unless you specifically have a new paint made that is whatever degree of fade you have but then it won't match in a few more years of sun exposure as the different paints likely won't fade at the same rate or same way.

That said, for ease of use and proper color match and just plain availability, I'm a big fan of Rapco CARC substitute paint. It is available in proper 383 green/brown and 686 tan (for black I prefer Krylon's Ultra Flat black "Camouflage" paint as it is cheaper than Rapco and its spray nozzle is superior, IMO). For little projects, additions and sometimes touch ups I like the spray cans. I purchased the gallon can when I had my M35A2's hard top professionally sandblasted and painted. Be advised that it is not as flat or chalky as CARC, that's because it isn't CARC, but it is a flat enamel paint. Though some complain about it having a slight sheen. I personally think it looks great and I love it.

Buy it by the gallon, case of spray cans, or even individual cans as you please and budget allows:

http://www.rapcoparts.com/manuals.html

I know of a local source (to me) that will sell actual CARC to civilians (see the below link for the info in my thread), but in 2016 it was over $180 per gallon.

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showt...M66-Gun-Ring&p=1882531&viewfull=1#post1882531

 

[JoeJrTheBarber]

Whether your truck is tan, green, woodland or a collection of different colored parts, unfortunately you will never match the color of faded CARC paint - unless you specifically have a new paint made that is whatever degree of fade you have but then it won't match in a few more years of sun exposure as the different paints likely won't fade at the same rate or same way.

That said, for ease of use and proper color match and just plain availability, I'm a big fan of Rapco CARC substitute paint. It is available in proper 383 green/brown and 686 tan (for black I prefer Krylon's Ultra Flat black "Camouflage" paint as it is cheaper than Rapco and its spray nozzle is superior, IMO). For little projects, additions and sometimes touch ups I like the spray cans. I purchased the gallon can when I had my M35A2's hard top professionally sandblasted and painted. Be advised that it is not as flat or chalky as CARC, that's because it isn't CARC, but it is a flat enamel paint. Though some complain about it having a slight sheen. I personally think it looks great and I love it.

Buy it by the gallon, case of spray cans, or even individual cans as you please and budget allows:

http://www.rapcoparts.com/manuals.html

I know of a local source (to me) that will sell actual CARC to civilians (see the below link for the info in my thread), but in 2016 it was over $180 per gallon.

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showt...M66-Gun-Ring&p=1882531&viewfull=1#post1882531

Thanks !

 

[Gunzy]

Use the Rapco for your touch up areas the WD40 the entire truck. Initially it will be pretty shiny but after a few days it will look more like new CARC. Here in my HEMTT before and after a WD40 coating. I even sprayed the tires and wheels too. I picked up a 1 gallon yard sprayer pump and 2 gallons of WD40. Used about 1 1/4 gallon to do the whole rig.

 

[joel]

I went to home depot with paint sample from my mule, they matched it pretty good, the paint on the mule was the faded green from years ago. I got just a sample as I just painted spots(it was camo-painted) Some parts I used the spray-can paint from Rapco

 

[Hard Head]

I have a few gallons of PPG Single part CARC paint that I might part with if you want to maintain what it is designed to do. I do not have tan! Green, Brown, Black, and primer. If you don;t care if it is carc or not go with something like a spray on latex. If you want a newer look, I have seen folks spray on a clear coat. (semi gloss or mat looks good). CARC properties are affected by oils and other paint products covering them. If you have a FLIR you can check it out

 

[JoeJrTheBarber]

Use the Rapco for your touch up areas the WD40 the entire truck. Initially it will be pretty shiny but after a few days it will look more like new CARC. Here in my HEMTT before and after a WD40 coating. I even sprayed the tires and wheels too. I picked up a 1 gallon yard sprayer pump and 2 gallons of WD40. Used about 1 1/4 gallon to do the whole rig.View attachment 717270View attachment 717271

I did the same thing to mine but used ATF instead of WD-40. Was abit of a mess getting it done but was and still are amazed at the results.

 

[Sintorion]

It is kind of expensive for tough up, but Sherwin Williams sells the real CARC paint. You have to buy a gallon and it will cost you about $100, but it is a perfect match.

 

[tgejesse]

Bumping this thread, is rapco still the best option?

 

[Mullaney]

Bumping this thread, is rapco still the best option?

.
RAPCO is a good bunch of people. I have been using their stuff for about a year and it has done well for me. The color definitely will not match sun faded (color) but it seems to hold up well.

.

 

[TOBASH]

Paint and restoration forum has all these answers including the Behr paint thread that are pretty amazing