TM 1-1500-204-23-9
(1)
Open containers, sealed with bungs, by
slowly turning bung out until a hissing sound is heard.
When hissing stops (an indication that pressure in and
out of drum is equal) completely remove bung.
CAUTION
Use a fine, non-spark producing tool and
a soft head hammer (rubber or plastic, to
puncture drum.
(2)
Containers which are bulged or distorted
due to internal pressure shall have a small hole
punctured in top to release pressure. After pressure is
released, container may be opened in usual manner.
I.
Mixing. Procedures for mixing paints are
described in the following paragraphs.
(1)
Painting supplies shall be prepared for
application under dry and clean conditions with dry and
clean equipment.
(2)
Paint shops shall be equipped with
continuous mechanical paint agitators of suitable
capacity. The proper sequence for preparing packaged
materials prior to each use is as follows:
(a)
Allow paints to come to room
temperature.
(b)
Remove lids and inspect contents
for skinover, gelling, lumps, etc. Skins, if present, shall
be carefully removed and discarded, retaining liquids
which drain from them. Gelled, lumpy, or otherwise
deteriorated paints shall not be used, but properly
discarded.
NOTE
Cans of the pigmented component of
MILC-46168 paint with non-resealable lids
should not be opened and inspected until
after the original mechanical agitation, if
practical.
(c)
Thoroughly agitate all component
containers, using a mechanical agitator prior to mixing
or thinning and again prior to and during application.
Agitation must be continuous during application to
assure uniformity of pigment.
(3)
Use automatic mixing and proportioning
devices, if possible. When automatic equipment, is not
available, mix paint as follows:
(a)
Break up sediment remaining in
original container with a clean wood or metal paddle; stir
until a smooth, uniform, heavy paste forms.
(b)
Proportion paint in clean mixing
container to the four to one ratio specified. (This applies
only to MIL-C-46168)
(c)
Catalytic action begins immediately
on mixing. An eight hour pot life can be anticipated
after mixing. Ideally, mixed paint should be used in six
hours, to assure the capability for complete system
purging and cleaning to preclude equipment damage.
(d)
Assure
complete
mixing
when
manual mixing is used.
(e)
To
avoid
the
possibility
of
incompatibility of paints under the same specification
but of different manufacturers, such paints shall not
mixed.
Primers
and
topcoats
from
different
manufacturers, under the same specification, will not be
mixed, but may be applied separately to areas which are
to be overcoated. Every effort shall be made, however,
to assure that an entire topcoat is restricted to the
product of a single manufacturer and, where possible, to
the same batch in order to maintain uniformity of color,
finish, etc.
(f)
Application and mixing equipment
must be thoroughly purged and cleaned after use.
m.
Thinning. The following paragraphs describe
thinning techniques.
(1)
When thinning is necessary, always add
thinner to the coating. Adding coating to thinner may
result in an irreversible separation or degradation of
some of the coating ingredients. Thinner should be
added slowly with continual stirring to obtain complete
mixing. For all thinning, use only thinners authorized in
applicable instructions in this technical manual or
pertinent specifications or, in the absence of these
instructions, those recommended by the manufacturer.
Methyl ethyl ketone, Federal Specification TT-M-261,
can be used in cold weather. Other thinners may be
needed in hot weather. Reduced coating which has
increased in
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