CARC stands for Chemical Agent Resistant Coating. It is a type of paint used by the military to provide protection and resistance against chemical and biological agents, as well as decontamination procedures. CARC paint is designed to make it easier to decontaminate military vehicles and equipment that may be exposed to chemical or biological contaminants in a war zone or other hazardous environments.
CARC paint typically consists of several layers, including a primer and a topcoat, which work together to provide this resistance. The paint is formulated to withstand decontamination processes that might involve the use of strong chemicals, such as decontaminating solutions or high-pressure washdowns. It helps to prevent the penetration of chemical agents into the surface of military vehicles and equipment, making decontamination more effective and reducing the risk to personnel.
The use of CARC paint is an important safety measure in military operations where there is a potential for exposure to chemical or biological agents. It is just one of many protective measures and protocols that the military employs to safeguard personnel and equipment in such situations.
What Is CARC Paint?
CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating) is a specialized military paint system designed to resist degradation from chemical warfare agents (CWA) and to allow for decontamination in the field. Unlike standard industrial coatings, CARC is formulated to prevent chemical agents from absorbing into the coating surface, allowing them to be wiped or washed off without penetrating to the substrate. This property is critical for military vehicles, equipment and components that may be deployed in chemically contaminated environments.
Why CARC Is Required on Military Equipment
The U.S. Department of Defense requires CARC on virtually all military ground vehicles, aircraft support equipment, weapon systems and associated hardware. The requirement stems from lessons learned in chemical warfare scenarios where standard paints absorbed and retained toxic agents, making decontamination difficult and dangerous for personnel. CARC coatings solve this problem by creating a low-porosity, chemically resistant barrier that can be decontaminated with standard field solutions.
Beyond chemical resistance, CARC paints also provide tactical advantages. The low-sheen finish and specific color formulations (including CARC Green 383, Tan 686A and Black 37038) are matched to military camouflage requirements and reduce both visual and near-infrared signature — critical for battlefield concealment from modern detection systems.
CARC Specifications and Standards
CARC is governed by strict military specifications. The primary standards include:
- MIL-DTL-53022 — Primer, Epoxy Coating, Corrosion Inhibiting, Lead and Chromate Free
- MIL-DTL-53030 — Coating, Epoxy, Waterborne, Chemical Agent Resistant
- MIL-DTL-64159 — Coating, Waterborne, Aliphatic Polyurethane, Chemical Agent Resistant
- MIL-DTL-53039 — Coating, Aliphatic Polyurethane, Single Component, Chemical Agent Resistant
Applying CARC requires qualified applicators with proper equipment, controlled application environments and strict quality documentation. Sub Source, Inc. maintains the processes, facilities and quality systems required to apply CARC in compliance with applicable MIL-specs.
CARC Application Process
Proper CARC application requires thorough surface preparation, primer application and topcoat application under controlled conditions. At Sub Source, the CARC process typically follows these steps:
- Surface preparation — grit blasting or chemical pretreatment to the required cleanliness and profile
- CARC-compatible epoxy primer application to MIL-DTL-53022 or equivalent
- Topcoat application — CARC polyurethane to MIL-DTL-64159 or MIL-DTL-53039
- Film thickness measurement and gloss verification per specification
- Full quality documentation and traceability records
CARC Coating Services at Sub Source, Inc. in Rockford, IL
Sub Source, Inc. provides CARC coating services in Rockford, IL for military and defense contractors. Our facility is equipped to handle a wide range of part sizes and production volumes, with quality systems in place to meet the documentation and traceability requirements of defense contracts. We work with prime contractors, sub-contractors and OEMs supplying components for ground vehicles, support equipment and weapon systems. Contact Sub Source today to discuss your CARC coating requirements and request a quote.
