Short answer: National Camouflage Enamel is a special alkyd-based enamel with a smooth flat finish and a tough, weather-resistant film. National also credits it with good infrared-radiation resistance. It is for structural steel, heavy equipment and vehicle repaint, mainly in defence applications, in National’s camouflage colours (special colours on request). The system is one coat of Red Oxide Primer and one coat of Camouflage Enamel. It covers about 14 to 18 m² per litre.
Key facts from both data sheets
| Decorative sheet | Protective sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Special alkyd camouflage enamel, single pack | |
| Finish and colours | Smooth matt; National camouflage colours, special colours on request | |
| Volume solids | 55 ± 2% | |
| Specific gravity | 1.50 ± 0.05 | 1.56 ± 0.05 |
| Spreading rate | 14 to 18 m² per litre | 18 m² per litre |
| Film per coat | 30 to 40 µm dry (55 to 75 wet) | 30 µm dry (55 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch 1 to 2 h; recoat 8 to 12 h; hard 18 h | Touch 4 to 6 h; recoat 12 h; hard 18 h |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray (airless 2200 psi, tip 0.015 to 0.020 inch; air 50 psi) | |
| Thinning | 5 to 10% | Airless 5 to 10%, air 10 to 15%, brush 10% |
| Thinner, flash point | National G.P. Thinner; 38°C | |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed | |
Step by step
- Prepare the steel: degrease, then clean to St 2 or blast to Sa 2.5, following National’s surface preparation guide. The surface must be dry and dust-free.
- Prime: one coat of Red Oxide Primer at about 40 microns. Wait 8 to 12 hours.
- Finish: one coat of Camouflage Enamel at about 30 microns dry. For multi-colour patterns, allow each colour its recoat time before the next overlaps it.
What the numbers mean
Coverage = 550 ÷ 30 ≈ 18.3 and 550 ÷ 40 ≈ 13.8 m² per litre, which matches the decorative sheet’s range; the protective sheet’s single 18 m² figure corresponds to its 30-micron coat.
How much to buy
| Area | Camouflage Enamel, 1 coat | Red Oxide Primer, 1 coat |
|---|---|---|
| 50 m² | 2.8 to 3.6 L | 2.7 to 3.6 L |
| 100 m² | 5.6 to 7.1 L | 5.4 to 7.1 L |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it as a general flat enamel?
It is formulated for camouflage work and colours. For general flat finishes, National’s Flat/Matt Synthetic Enamel or flat Eco Enamel are the standard choices.
Does it need an undercoat?
Not in National’s listed system: primer, then one coat of Camouflage Enamel.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp with the colour reference you need.
Sources
- National Camouflage Enamel, decorative data sheet (PDF)
- National Camouflage Enamel, protective data sheet (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
