01-1A-509. To touch up avionic equipment, you should refer to Avionic Cleaning and Corrosion Prevention/Control, NA 16-1-540. The touchup of ground support equipment is covered in Ground Support Equipment Cleaning and Corrosion Control, NA 17-1-125. Aircraft radomes, walkways, and leading edges require special coatings to satisfy service exposure requirements. Radomes and parts with similar elastomeric coatings should be repaired according to Aircraft Radomes and Antenna Covers, N A 01-1A-22. If the damage is beyond the limits specified, you should replace the component and send the damaged part to the next higher maintenance level for repair. Containers used to hold paints, lacquers, removers, thinners, cleaners, or any volatile solvents should be kept tightly closed when not in use. They should be stored in a separate building or fire-resistant room that is well ventilated. The paint material should not be exposed to excessive heat, smoke, sparks, flame, or direct rays of the sun. Wiping rags and other flammable waste material should always be placed in tightly closed metal containers. Waste containers should be emptied at the end of each day’s work. SURFACE PREPARATION The effectiveness and adherence of a paint finish depend upon careful surface preparation. Before you begin to paint, you should remove all soils, lubricants, and preservatives from the surface. You should treat corroded areas and replace defective seam sealants. Corrosion control is covered in the Aviation Maintenance Ratings Fundamentals, NAVEDTRA 12010. Paint Removal Paint removal should be accomplished by the mildest mechanical or chemical means. Paint removal operations at the organizational and intermediate maintenance levels are usually confined to small areas. Whenever you use paint remover, the procedures outlined in the applicable MIM should be observed. General stripping procedures are contained in Aircraft Weapons Systems Cleaning and Corrosion Control, NA 01-1A-509. Materials All paint removers are toxic and caustic; therefore, both personnel and material safety precautions must be observed in their use. You should wear eye protection, gloves, and a rubber apron. MIL-R-81294 paint remover is an epoxy. This remover will strip acrylic and epoxy finishes satisfactorily. Acrylic windows, plastic surfaces, and rubber products are adversely affected by this material. This material should not be stocked in large quantities because it ages rapidly and degrades the results of stripping action. Additional paint removers are discussed in NA 07-1-503. Each remover has a specific intended use. For example, MIL-R-81294 is used for removing epoxy finishes, but it may be damaging to synthetic rubber, while another nonflammable water soluble paint remover conforming to MIL-R-18553 is usable in contact with synthetic rubber. In all cases, you should use the remover that meets the requirements of the job. General Procedures and Precautions for Stripping General stripping procedures are described in this section. When you are stripping an aircraft surface, you should consult the applicable MIM for the specific procedures to be used. CAUTION Prior to cleaning and stripping, you should ensure the aircraft is properly grounded to dissipate any static electricity produced by the cleaning and stripping operations. Stripping should be accomplished outside whenever possible. If stripping must be done in a hangar or other enclosure, you must have adequate ventilation. Paint remover may contact adhesives at seals, joints, skin laps, and bonded joints. In these areas you should mask with approved tapes and papers. Stripper should be applied liberally with a fiber brush. You should completely cover the surface to a depth of one thirty-second to one-sixteenth of an inch. The stripper should not be spread in a thin coat. A thin coat will not sufficiently loosen the paint. If the 14-30