I need some CARC and general paint help (mix ratios, availability, etc.)

[clinto]

I have two trucks I need to paint. Both will be 383 / 34094 colored, maybe one will be 3-color camo, but it isn't likely.

Gillespie/Rapco is great - it's cheap and it sprays easily but that's it. It's a cheap paint, with cheap materials and no catalyst. I've painted tons of stuff in various colors with it and I'd like to use a higher quality paint on these two trucks.

I do not have any interest in using house paint on these vehicles.

Both vehicles live indoors.

I see in some threads, people have referred others to a seller "armytankguy", selling paints under the name "American Coatings". So far, the only thing similar to that I've been able to find is this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1722848613...5HVFBJ&hash=item281cfa5bbd:g:DmQAAOSwnQhXpPmT

And considering they call that an enamel with a 1:4 mix ratio w/Xylene, I'm going to conclude that's not any different than Gillespie.

I do have some old CARC in my inventory and I'd like to figure out what I have and try it on some test pieces.

Yes, I do have proper protective gear, and a proper booth.

So here are the questions:

• Is there a higher quality CARC substitute than Gillespie/Rapco/AC/house paint?
  
  
• If not, what's the current CARC material? I know it's waterbourne now and has been for awhile.
  
  
• Where can the current version of CARC be purchased? Sherwin-Williams? Internet?
  
  
• ok, here is what I have in inventory. Yeah, I know they're really old. I have a paint shaker and I'll test the paint on some work materials and see how it does.
  
  

I have one gallon of this catalyst.




I have 4 gallons of this base material


And I have two gallons of this stuff.





So does that catalyst "play" with either of those base materials, and if so, in what ratio?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Ray70]

I'm not familiar with the original CARC paint, but I do have 40 years of experience painting both daily driver and show cars as well as heavy equipment and everything in between.
I would never use anything that is a single component ( No hardener ) nor would I use any type of house paint etc.
Even catalyzed enamel is pretty much a thing of the past.

Your issue is going to be finding a local paint show that carries what you want and can tint it to the colors you want.
Luckily I have a shop nearby that I have been using for at least 35 years now.

I recently started using their GlobalStar industrial polyurethane, it is available in Flat and Gloss binders ( Flat is actually more of a satin finish)
You can mix the flat and gloss binders to achieve any level of gloss you desire.
It is also a DTM ( direct to metal ) paint, or you can use it over any existing undercoat or paint etc.

Maybe take a look at automotive paint suppliers in your area and see if anyone carries it.

You can also use any other brand of single stage urethane or polyurethane, but 99% of them will come in a gloss finish, so you will need to add a flattener to it to get it to the flat/satin look.

Lastly but most time consuming and expensive would be to use any locally available basecoat system and topcoat it with flat clearcoat.

Bottom line is if you want durability and resistance to solvents, fuels, cleaners and UV rays you need to use something 2 part, an leave the latex paint for your house!