Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

July, 2006

Olive Drab Military Coating

Q: I'm currently involved with a project that entails painting of a Furuno radar attenna with an olive drab, military coating.  I was hoping to find out the military specification regarding this type of paint.  Thanks.

A: Olive drab is a color but does not specify a resin type.  Are you looking for a polyurethane or an alkyd? In the US we are predominantly using MIL-C-53039 or MIL-DTL-64159 polyurethanes.  However, the colors in these specs are for #383 green and not olive drab. To the best of my knowledge the US military has long ago phased out olive drab, but it might still be an acceptable NATO color. 

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph