TM 55-1500-345-23
SURFACE PREPARATION
Section I. CLEANING
c. For conventional surface cleaning prior to metal
GENERAL. In the process of preparing surfaces
treatment processing, primer or topcoat application, use
for stripping or painting, care should be taken that the
the process cited in TM 1-1500-344-23.
surfaces are dean and free from dirt, grease, lint, water
or other substances which may interfere with full contact
with the surface. Conventional cleaning may be used in
NOTE
this process, as follows:
Acid cleaners or surface treatments
a
Cleaning of surfaces, as covered by this
other than those cited in TM 1-1500-
paragraph is intended to remove traces of dust or
344-23 or this publication shall not be
contamination just prior to painting. For complete details
utilized. These materials may cause
on materials and surface cleaning preparatory to
hydrogen embrittlement to high strength
stripping, consult TM 1-1500-344-23.
steels and deteriorative effects on other
b. Cleaning shall be accomplished with solvents,
detergents and processes which have no degrading
NOTE
effect on the surfaces and which produce surfaces
Reclaimed paint thinner or other
satisfactory for receiving subsequent processing. There
reclaimed thinners shall not be used for
are cleaning materials which are effective and suitable
cleaning purposes.
These materials
for some surface contaminants, e.g., grease and oils,
may leave a grease film which will cause
and which are not suitable for others. More than one
poor adhesion of the next coat or form a
cleaning product may, therefore, be required to provide a
barrier
which
removers
cannot
waterbreak-free surface.
effectively penetrate.
Section II. STRIPPING
variety of methods can remove coatings. In choosing
GENERAL. The foremost considerations in
one, a compromise must be made between maximum
removing organic coatings are that removal is complete
uncontrolled removal power and protection of equipment
to the bare metal, or polyamide primer, and that no
being stripped.
damage occurs in the process to underlying surfaces. A
