Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2009

CARC Painting in the Military

Q. I have a Veteran that painted and sanded military trucks from olive drab to camo in 1976, did they use CARC paints during that time frame? He suffers from a skin condition that VA have been treating as acne for 35 years. He is 55 now. Also, he has lung and breathing problems. I need info on this type of product or where I can find out.

A. Prior to approximately 1983 the army did not use the polyurethane camo paints that are currently used. Instead, the olive drab paint was an alkyd enamel. If my memory serves me correctly, the specification was Fed. Std. TT-E-527, but I suggest you check with one of the military paint vendors, such as Sherwin-Williams, Hentzen, Deft, etc.

Here is an excellent web site that provides information about the camo colors, but I didn't see the specification for the paint itself. You might want to write to the authors of the article and ask if they know the name of the paint specification.

Good luck,

Ron Joseph