TM 9-243
CHAPTER 54
PAINTING
INTRODUCTION
To insure that all painting accomplished at the sites
meets high quality workmanship standards, the, proper
method of paint application (both brush and spray) will
be explained in this chapter.
PRE-TREATMENT
Whenever it is necessary to apply paint to a metallic
surface that was not previously painted, or to painted
surfaces which contain areas of bare metal (chips, mars,
etc. ), the metal must be pre-treated to prevent
corrosion and to insure a good bond between the finish
paint and the metal. The method and type of pre-
treatment is determined by the type of metal being
painted and its condition.
BRUSH PAINTING
Under normal conditions, brush painting will only be
used when the area to be painted is very large. Most
touch up work will be done by spray painting. The
procedure to use when brush painting is as follows:
a. Clean the metal to be painted, using approved
cleaning agents All grease, rust, etc., must be
removed. Corroded areas can be sanded using 220
grit or coarser sand paper.
b. Apply one coat of zinc chromate primer (P/N
3034741). Allow to dry.
c. Apply paste filler (P/N 3034740) where required and
allow it to dry.
d. Sand filled areas if required. (Use a fine grit
sandpaper. Preferably 240 or 600 grit. )
e. Apply one coat of grey primer sealer (P/ N 3034742)
and allow it to dry.
f. Apply the final coat of the desired color. First brush
in one direction, then finish by brushing in a direction
90 degrees from the first application. It is better to
apply two thin coats, 90 degrees from each other,
than one heavy coat.
Note : Drying time can be accelerated by using the
INFRARED-red lamp P/N 3034800.
CARE OF PAINTBRUSHES
A paintbrush is made up of three parts: handle, ferrule
and bristles. The ferrule is the metal band holding the
bristles in place and to the handle. The heel of the
bristles is the portion of the bristles adjacent to the
ferrule.
To keep a brush in good shape, clean the paint or
enamel from it after each use. Work it out in turpentine
or its equivalent. In doing this, avoid pressing the brush
down edgeways on the bristles as this will force them out
of shape.
Work the solvent well into the heel. To remove paint
clinging to the bristles, lay the brush flat on a board and
scrape the bristles carefully with a blunt knife. Work the
solvent in again and scrub out the loose paint, working
from the ferrule toward the tip of the brush. Rinse again
in thinner and rinse out as much as possible.
Never use paint remover as it will ruin a brush.
SPRAY PAINTING
Spray painting is perhaps the most convenient method
of applying paint to any given surface. There are no
brushes to clean and no paint to mix or stir. Just a
shake of the aerosol can and the pressing of the paint
release button accomplishes the painting task. To better
understand how to use a spray paint a brief description
of its operation is necessary.
AEROSOL SPRAY OPERATION
Spray cans contain about 50 percent paint; the
remainder of the content, is a liquid gas This liquid gas is
mixed with the paint; and is the propellant that forces the
paint from the can.
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