Graphite Paint / Anthracite RAL 7024 — Flexible Rubber Coating

Graphite paint — or, correctly by the RAL chart, Graphite Grey RAL 7024 — is, after black and white, the most popular shade in our premium liquid rubber paint range. It is a dark, cool grey with a slight blue tint that looks modern and pairs especially well with concrete, brick and aluminium.

This guide explains when graphite paint (also known as anthracite, graphite grey paint, flexible graphite coating or elastic graphite paint) is worth it and what to watch out for.

What is graphite / anthracite paint used for?

• Modern urban-style facades — matches anthracite window frames (the classic window colour RAL 7016)
• Garage doors and carports — the standard look for sectional doors
• Wooden fences and garden buildings — a modern, long-lasting alternative to anthracite wood stain
• Metal railings, steel beams, trapezoidal sheet — corrosion protection with a graphite look
• Plinths and brick houses — a dark plinth under light masonry
• Industrial and commercial buildings — a clean, technical look

RAL 7024 — the shade in detail

RAL 7024 is a dark graphite grey that differs from its neighbouring RAL shades as follows:

• RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey: slightly lighter, with a greenish tint — the standard for windows
• RAL 7022 Umbra Grey: browner and warmer
• RAL 7024 Graphite Grey: deeper, with a slight blue tint — our shade
• RAL 7043 Traffic Grey B: similar, but flatter and greyer

Most buyers searching for “graphite paint” or “flexible graphite coating” end up with RAL 7024 — it matches the typical graphite look with a cool undertone exactly.

Properties of graphite / anthracite rubber paint

• Shade: RAL 7024 Graphite Grey — dark, slightly cool and bluish
• UV resistance: A0 to EN 1062-7 — no fading, even after years
• Elongation: > 300 % — crack-bridging class A2
• Waterproof: W3 to EN 1062-3
• Service temperature: −20 °C to +50 °C
• Breathable: sd < 0.3 m

Common use 1: graphite / anthracite garage doors

Sectional doors often come factory-coated in anthracite — but after 8–10 years they turn dull and chalky and need renovating. With graphite rubber paint you can recoat the whole door in a weekend. The elastic layer easily copes with the thermal movement of the sections.

Common use 2: graphite wooden fences

Instead of a classic anthracite wood stain that has weathered after 3–5 years, graphite rubber paint gives 8–12 years of protection without flaking. It is especially popular for privacy fences in modern gardens.

Common use 3: graphite facade paint

Dark facades absorb more heat from the sun, so the material has to cope with thermal movement. Conventional emulsion paints often crack at render edges. Graphite rubber paint stays elastic and doesn't crack.

Consumption and application

As with every shade: 100–200 g/m² per coat, with two coats as standard. Drying times: touch-dry 2 h, recoatable 4 h, rain-resistant 6 h, fully cured after 28 days.

Important with dark colours: don't apply in blazing sun — the surface skins over too fast and can go cloudy. Overcast days or early mornings are ideal.

Available sizes

• 1.2 kg — repairs, detail work, doors
• 3.5 kg — garage doors, balcony parapets, small wooden fences
• 6 kg — whole carports, medium-sized facades, complete fence runs

FAQ

Is “graphite paint” the same as “anthracite”?

In everyday speech the two terms are used interchangeably. The RAL chart does distinguish them, though: Anthracite Grey is RAL 7016 (slightly lighter, greenish), Graphite Grey is RAL 7024 (darker, bluish). Our shade is RAL 7024 — the typical graphite tone.

How hot does a dark surface get in summer?

Graphite surfaces reach 60–75 °C in full sun. The material copes with this without problems (service temperature briefly up to +80 °C). For buildings you want to keep cool, such as timber cabins, white is the better choice.

How long does graphite rubber paint last outdoors?

With correct preparation and two coats: 10–15 years on metal, 8–12 years on wood, followed by a simple recoat without sanding.

Conclusion

Graphite paint (RAL 7024 Graphite Grey) is the ideal choice for modern exterior projects that call for a dark, understated colour scheme. The elastic rubber paint has the movement reserve needed for heat-critical jobs such as garage doors and dark facades — and it lasts considerably longer than conventional anthracite paints.

View product: Liquid rubber paint Graphite RAL 7024 →

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Related terms: Our product is sold in DIY stores and the trade under several names — liquid rubber, liquid rubber paint, liquid membrane, rubber paint, rubberised paint, flexible coating, elastic exterior paint or polymer coating. They all mean the same product: a waterproof, highly elastic coating based on acrylic latex.