CARC paint is used by our nation’s military to protect its vehicles from radioactive, biological, and chemical contamination. It is a thin, lightweight, and surprisingly cost-effective way to keep people and assets safe in some of the most dangerous places on Earth. CARC’s high resistance means it is also used in other contexts, especially in industrial settings, to keep things safe, protected, and lasting for longer. More and more, businesses are turning to liquid painting services to get the professional CARC paint jobs they need for their equipment. Here are the four main steps to painting with CARC paint.

Step 1: Clean

As any liquid painting service will tell you, the first step in any painting job is cleaning. Painting onto a dirty surface not only leaves a noticeable change in the color, but it also leaves the paint with less surface on which to bond. That can result in a less consistent paint job and can make the paint peel much earlier than if applied to a clean surface. The best way to clean a surface for CARC paint is with soap and water. Most CARC is applied to metal or plastic, so scrubbing everything down and leaving it to dry in a clean area is key. Then, before you move on to the next step, give it a wipe to dry it off and get rid of any dust that may have collected.

Step 2: Pretreatment

CARC paint requires a pretreatment that is recommended by almost every liquid painting service. The recommendation is a standard wash primer pretreatment that is used in most painting jobs that are focused on painting for protection. It is highly recommended that you wait for the drying and/or reaction to be complete before you move onto the next step. This will ensure the best surface on which to paint.

Step 3: Primer

CARC paint acts as an incredibly tough barrier against radioactive, biological, and chemical contamination. That barrier has to start with a primer to ensure maximum bondage with the vehicle or surface and, therefore, maximum protection. Epoxy anticorrosive primers are the base for all CARC paint jobs, and they help to keep the metal underneath safe from corrosion in the rare event that the CARC paint fails.

Step 4: Paint

CARC paint comes in two varieties, depending on whether it is for interiors or exteriors. Topcoats for exteriors are generally polyurethanes, while an epoxy is used for interiors. Depending on your needs, you will need to pick the right material—or ask a liquid painting service for their advice. From there, ensure that you paint a thick, even layer across the entire surface.

When it comes to getting the best painting job possible, especially with complicated paints like CARC, many people and businesses are turning to Sun-Glo’s liquid painting service. We have the skills, training, and materials needed to get the most out of your painting needs. When you turn to professionals like Sun-Glo, we can ensure that your products, whether they are vehicles or metal cans, will be resistant, will look great, and will last even longer.