TM 1-1500-204-23-1 CHAPTER 6 APPLICATION AND REMOVAL OF DECALS 6-1.  General. Decals  are  suitable  for  exterior  and  inte- rior surface application as governed by MIL-D-8634 and MIL-D-8635 respectively. Prior to application of decals, the following instructions shall apply to assure proper adhesion: a. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with a clean cloth dampened with aliphatic naphtha, Federal Specification TT-N-95, to remove grease, oil, wax, or other foreign matter. b. Wipe area with a clean, dry cloth to remove dampness and residue, then seal porous surfaces and sand rough surfaces. c. Remove excess paper and film from decals which have trim lines. 6-2. Decal Types. Decals approved for use on Army aircraft are of three types: paper (lacquer), vinyl film and metal. Application and removal of decals are explained in the following paragraphs. a.  Paper  Decals. Application  and  removal  proce- dueres  are  explained  in  the  following  paragraphs. (1)  Application. Apply  paper  decals  in  accor- dance with the following procedures: (a) Immerse paper decals in clean water for one to three minutes. NOTE Allowing decals to soak longer than three minutes will cause the backing to separate from  the  decal  while  immersed;  allowing decals to soak less than one minute will result in the backing not separating from decal. (b) Place one edge of decal on prepared receiving surface and press lightly, then slide paper backing from beneath decal. NOTE Apply pressure lightly to permit easy removal of  backing;  reimmerse  decals  from  which backing is not easily removed. (c) Perform  minor  alignment  with  fingers, then remove water by gently blotting decal and adjacent area with a soft, absorbent cloth. Remove air or water bubbles trapped under decal by wiping carefully toward nearest edge of decal with cloth. Allow decal to dry. (d) Paint area surrounding decal and outer perimeter of decal with a coat of oil-type varnish, TT- V-109. Apply varnish in a 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide stripe to prevent peeling. (2) Removal. Remove  paper  decals  by  rubbing decal with a cloth dampened with lacquer thinner, Fed- eral  Specification  TT-T-266,  or  methylethyketone,  ASTM D740. b. Vinyl Film Decals. Application and removal pro- cedures are explained in the following paragraphs. (1) Application. Apply vinyl film decals in accor- dance with the following procedures: film. (a) Separate paper backing from plastic NOTE Remove paper backing adhering to the adhesive by rubbing the area gently with a clean  cloth  saturated  with  water;  remove small  piece  of  remaining  paper  with  masking tape. (b) Place vinyl film, adhesive side up, on a clean porous surface such as wood or blotter paper. (c) Apply cyclohexanone, or equivalent, in firm, even strokes, to adhesive side of decal. 6-1