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A match of US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 reads as a subdued gray with a slight green cast. Its low chroma keeps the color restrained rather than vivid, and the medium-dark value gives it more body than a light neutral without moving into a deep shade.

MyPerfectColor custom-matched paint made to match this government color reference is useful for spray work on metal panels, electrical enclosures, equipment housings, brackets, vent covers, switch plates, racks, rail components, and other fabricated parts. It is also a practical choice for touch-up on carts, cabinets, support hardware, and mock-up pieces where the goal is to keep new parts aligned with a Fed Std 595C callout.

Because the color is moderately dark and very low in chroma, surface prep and finish still matter. Gloss level, texture, and substrate color can shift the way the gray-green cast reads after spraying, and a repair beside an aged coating may not blend exactly even when the code is correct. On darker or uneven surfaces, more than one coat may be needed for uniform coverage.

For inspection-critical or aging-sensitive work, compare against the existing part or project-approved finish rather than relying on the code alone. Weathering, film build, and sheen differences can change the final appearance enough to matter on visible repairs.

Similar colors:

Fed Std 595C 26280
Fed Std 595C 16314
Fed Std 595C 26293

Product Data

Perfect Color Ventures LLC DUNS Number and CAGE Code

MyPerfectColor DUNS Number:  117438928

MyPerfectColor CAGE Code:  8SUA4

MyPerfectColor is compliant with section 889. Download the Record of Section 889 Representations PERFECT COLOR VENTURES LLC.

About US Government Federal Standard (now Aerospace Material Specification / AMS) 595 Colors. Fed-Std-595C / FED STD 595 Colors

The Federal Standard (now Aerospace Material Specification / AMS) 595 colors are used to specify colors for US Government applications. The color are used by the US Government agencies, branches and suppliers. The most common requests we receive for Fed Standard Colors are for spray paint, Direct to Metal and other paints for prototyping, marking and identification and touchup applications. Typical clients include the USCG, all branches of the Armed Services, the State Department, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. For example, we provided paint to the Navy for marking shells with the specific Fed Std color designated to identify the type of round.

We offer 5 standard sheens in our lacquer touchup paint: flat, low lustre, satin, semi-gloss or gloss. We also offer a full range of Alkyd and Acrylic Direct To Metal paints. Please contact us if you have any questions. Please submit RFQs to [email protected]

The colors in the Federal Standard set have no official names and are identified by five-digits. The numbers designate the sheen, color classification and color intensity.

The first digit will be 1,2 or 3 and indicates the level of sheen:
    1 = gloss
    2 = semi gloss
    3 = matt

The second digit indicates the color group;
      0 = Brown     5 = Blue
      1 = Red         6 = Grey
      2 = Orange   7 = Other (white, black, violet, metallic)
      3 = Yellow     8 = Fluorescent
      4 = Green      

The third to fifth digits indicate the intensity. Lower numbers indicates a darker color and higher numbers indicate a lighter color.

While the Fed Std colors indicate sheen as part of the 5 digits, MyPerfectColor still requires you to enter a specific sheen. For example, the color Fed Std 37038 technically refers to a matte finish, but MyPerfectColor offers it in any sheen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Match of US Government™ Fed Std 595C 36280 *

What does Fed Std 595C 36280 mean, and does it tell me the full coating system I need?

A match of US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 is a government color reference target. It tells you which color to match, but it does not by itself define the paint chemistry, gloss, surface preparation, corrosion protection, or any formal approval status.

If your project only needs a match to the color standard, MyPerfectColor custom-matched paint to Fed Std 595C 36280 can be a fit. If the job also specifies a coating system or acceptance requirement, verify those requirements separately before ordering.

If I need to touch up an older part in Fed Std 595C 36280, will a match to 36280 blend with the existing finish?

Not always. A match of US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 is the reference color, but an older in-service coating may have faded, changed sheen, or aged differently from the original standard.

For touch-up next to weathered or repaired areas, the standard match may still be correct, but it may not visually disappear into the surrounding finish. When appearance is critical, a full-part repaint or an existing-part match is often the safer choice.

How should I choose a product for Fed Std 595C 36280 if the part will be used indoors, outdoors, or in a harsher service environment?

Use the color code to choose the color, then choose the paint product based on the service environment. Fed Std 595C 36280 does not tell you whether you need extra abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, corrosion protection, or a specific substrate-compatible system.

For interior use, exterior exposure, or harsher service, select the product format and coating type that fit the job requirements. MyPerfectColor offers custom-matched paint to Fed Std 595C 36280 in different formats so you can match the color while still choosing the right paint type for the application.

What surface prep should I use before applying Fed Std 595C 36280 paint to metal or an existing coating?

Start with cleaning and degreasing, then address rust, loose coating, and contamination before applying a match to Fed Std 595C 36280. Smooth, sound surfaces usually produce better results than surfaces that are dirty, glossy in patches, or poorly adhered.

On bare metal, primer selection matters. On existing coatings, scuffing and a compatibility test are often important. If the part is mixed-material or has unknown prior coatings, test the product on the actual substrate before you commit to the full job.

If my project calls for Fed Std 595C 36280, is a standard color match enough for approval?

Sometimes yes, but not always. If the procurement package, engineering authority, or customer requires a sample panel, OEM match, or existing-part match, then matching Fed Std 595C 36280 alone may not be enough for acceptance.

For approval-critical work, confirm whether the requirement is the standard color reference or a match to an approved panel or existing part. MyPerfectColor paint matched to Fed Std 595C 36280 can help with the color target, but project-specific acceptance steps still need to be verified separately.

When will I receive my paint matching US Government Fed Std 595C 36280? Can I get it right away?
All paint is custom-made to order. While most orders ship within 48 hours, the lead-time for paint made to match US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 depends on the type of paint needed. Interior and exterior house paints usually ship within 1 to 3 business days, while custom spray paint typically takes 3-5 business days to ship. The transit time depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. If your need is immediate, select Expedited Production during checkout. Most expedited production orders ship within 24 hours on business days. Please contact MyPerfectColor if you are concerned about a specific deadline. We do our best to make sure you get your paint on time. Learn more about paint lead times at MyPerfectColor.
What are the LRV, HEX, and RGB values for the US Government Fed Std 595C 36280?
The RGB values for US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 are 0, 0, 0 and the HEX code is #000000. The LRV for US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 is 0.01. The LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value and measures the percentage of light that a color reflects. Learn more about using RGB and Hex codes for matching colors and Light Reflectance Values.
What paint type is used to make spray paint matched to US Government Fed Std 595C 36280? And how many spray cans do I need?

MyPerfectColor uses an acrylic enamel which is a fast-drying durable coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint matched to US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.

The MyPerfectColor 11oz spray will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge spray paint need as the coverage is highly dependent on how it is applied. Learn more about how spray paint works at MyPerfectColor.

Does US Government paint color US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 need primer?
MyPerfectColor doesn't sell US Government paint, but it does match the US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 and all the other US Government colors in a wide variety of paint types. The need for primer depends on the specific paint and the substrate being painted. The top quality paints these days tend to be self-priming over most surfaces, while paint at the mid to lower grade quality levels will need a separate primer. Most special situations such as bleeding type woods or difficult to adhere surfaces like plastic will often need a specialty primer. Contact MyPerfectColor support if you have specific questions about the best paint to use for your project and whether you need a primer.
How do I buy paint in the US Government Fed Std 595C 36280?
Many types of paint are available for US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 with no minimum order quantities. MyPerfectColor offers spray paint, paint pens, touch up bottles, water-based acrylics, epoxies, urethanes and a variety of other paints. Select the Paint Type button above to get started. Learn more about buying paint at MyPerfectColor.
How do I get the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for paint matched to US Government Fed Std 595C 36280?
The US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 is the color and the SDS is based on the type of paint used to make the color. You can find Safety Data Sheets here for our most popular products.
How do I get a Certificate of Conformance (CofC) for the US Government Fed Std 595C 36280?
Contact MyPerfectColor support if you need a certificate of conformance for US Government Fed Std 595C 36280. We are happy to provide this with your order.
Does this US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 meet my spec?

The US Government Fed Std 595C 36280 is the color portion of the spec. The remaining part of the spec will indicate the type of paint needed. Paint can be purchased directly from the color page, but MyPerfectColor offers many additional paint types not visible from the color page. Please contact us if you are not sure what you need, you don't see what you are looking for, or you need a quote to proceed. MyPerfectColor can furnish Certificates of Conformance upon request.