well-bonded paint finish is better than a fresh touchup
8. Fight fires from the upwind position.
treatment applied over dirt, corrosion products, salt
9. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus when
spray, or other contaminants. Refinishing should be
fighting fires.
restricted to areas where the existing paint finishes are
damaged or deteriorated. Because of age or exposure,
WASTE DISPOSAL
some finishes fail to perform their protective function.
The maintenance and repair of paint finishes is
Carbon or graphite fibers cannot be disposed of by
important. It begins when the aircraft is received and
incineration. All composite material particles and dust
continues, with constant surveillance, throughout the
must be packaged, tagged, and buried in an approved
service life of the aircraft.
landfill. Do not allow fibers to contaminate water
supplies.
TOUCHUP PAINTING
Coolants used in machining composites also
contain fibers and particles. When disposing of these
Touchup painting is the repairing of small areas
particles, allow them to remain still so they will settle to
where the paint has been worn or removed because of
the bottom, drain off the liquid without disturbing the
corrosion, weathering, or erosion. The paint system
particles, and then bag and dispose of them properly.
may consist of a primer, a compatible topcoat, or a
combination of primer and compatible topcoat. A paint
Q5-26.
What type of dust and particles are
scheme is the arrangement and description of the paint
conductors, can cause shorts in electrical
system. A topcoat is the finish coating material used
equipment, and contaminate hydraulic sys-
over the primer. A primer is a base coat that improves
tems?
adhesion and inhibits corrosion.
Q5-27.
When making bonded repairs, what materials
Paint systems are identified by a decal or stencil
present health and fire hazards to personnel?
located on the right side of the aft fuselage. All touchup
Q5-28.
What types of composite material particles
and paint system maintenance procedures should be
and dust cannot be disposed of by burning
performed according to the local maintenance
and must be packaged, tagged, and buried in
instructions and Aircraft Weapons Systems Cleaning
an approved landfill?
and Corrosion Control, NA 01-1A-509. To touch up
avionic equipment, you should refer to Avionic
Cleaning and Corrosion Prevention/Control, NA
AIRCRAFT PAINTING
16-1-540. The touchup of ground support equipment is
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the
covered in Ground Support Equipment Cleaning and
procedures and equipment used in preparing
Corrosion Control, NA 17-1-125.
and painting aircraft structures, surfaces, or
Aircraft radomes, walkways, and leading edges
components.
require special coatings to satisfy service exposure
The primary objective of any paint finish is to
requirements. Radomes and parts with similar
protect exposed surfaces against corrosion and other
elastomeric coatings should be repaired according to
forms of deterioration; however, there are other reasons
Aircraft Radomes and Antenna Covers, NA 01-1A-22.
for paint schemes. The reduction of glare, the reduction
If the damage is beyond the limits specified, you should
of heat absorption, camouflage, high visibility
replace the component and send the damaged part to the
requirements, and identification markings are also
next higher maintenance level for repair.
objectives of a paint finish.
Containers used to hold paints, lacquers, removers,
You will do some touchup painting because paint
thinners, cleaners, or any volatile solvents should be
schemes are continuously used during the maintenance
kept tightly closed when not in use. They should be
process. The publications related to aircraft paint-
stored in a separate building or fire-resistant room that
ing are Finishes, Organic, Weapons Systems,
is well ventilated. The paint material should not be
MIL-F-18264D(AS), and Paint Schemes and Exterior
exposed to excessive heat, smoke, sparks, flame, or
Markings for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft,
direct rays of the sun. Wiping rags and other flammable
MIL-STD-2161(AS).
waste material should always be placed in tightly
closed metal containers. Waste containers should be
You should not repaint aircraft for the sake of
emptied at the end of each day's work.
cosmetic appearance only. A faded or stained but
5-25
