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Q&As since 1989


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Anti-Reflective Paint

We are looking for a source for anti-reflective black paint to coat metal in an optical instrument. Flat-black paint works, but we are looking for a paint with as little reflectivity as possible. Our light source is infrared.

Thank you.

Larry Sears
- Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2001

I have had some experience in coatings for the military that were formulated for absorbing/scattering of IR light. If I remember correctly (it was quite some time ago) we used a CARC paint developed by Pratt & Lambert.

Chuck Stairs
- Rockford, Illinois, USA
2001

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2005

You can still get (chemical agent resistant coating) CARC paint; one of the companies I worked for recently made equipment for clearing minefields and had to paint it using CARC for the USMC and US Army (amongst others) during the 2nd Gulf Conflict.
It's not nice as it is a 2-pack isocyanate cured product and if you spray it you MUST use an air fed breathing mask and adequate extraction. Brush or roller applied is okay, provided you use adequate ventilation especially during the application and curing stages.
For suppliers look at someone like Hentzen coatings in the States, or Paint Services Group in the UK.

Regards,

Jeff Mein
- Washington, Tyne & Wear, England.