Abstract: An oxidation inhibitant paint for coating the surfaces of carbon or graphite articles comprises a suspension of about 10 to about 35 percent finely divided elemental boron, dispersed in a thermosetting resin such as a solution of furfuryl alcohol prepolymer, furfural and maleic anhydride. Silica or boron nitride may be added to the paint mixture, a preferred paint composition having about 22 to 23 percent boron and 2 to 3 percent silica, dispersed in a resin solution of about 48 to 49 percent furfuryl alcohol prepolymer, about 48 to 49 percent furfural and about 2 to 4 percent maleic anhydride. The paint may be applied to the carbon article (e.g., by brushing, spraying, dipping or rolling) and then cured to give a firmly adherent coating of resin, silica and elemental boron. The coating is strongly resistant against thermal and mechanical stresses applied to the carbon article, protecting the carbon against oxidation at temperatures up to at least 900.degree.C.