Technical data
CHAPTER 5
PAINTING OPERATIONS FOR AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT
5.1 GENERAL.
This chapter describes coating application procedures for
aircraft and equipment used by the Air Force. Except when
otherwise directed by this technical order or by local require-
ments or limitations, protective organic coatings may be
applied by spraying, brushing, or any other approved method
which results in continuous adherent films. The method
selected or directed for application of coatings to aerody-
namic surfaces shall be developed and adjusted to provide
film integrity, optimum adherence, smoothness and good
appearance. Achieving acceptable finishes on airframe sur-
faces requires trained personnel plus certain disciplines of
operation. Pre-planning for painting is an absolute require-
ment to provide a logical schedule of operations, arrange for
a cleared working area, and have available painting aids such
as scaffolding and cleanup materials and equipment, etc.
Correctly preparing coating materials and maintaining paint-
ing equipment in good operating condition are as important as
knowing the techniques of applying coatings.
5.2 SAFETY AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF PAINTING.
Measures shall be taken to prevent paint waste
from contaminating air, water, or soil. Some of
the chemicals used in painting require treatment
or other special control prior to disposal. Disposal
of materials shall be accomplished under the
direction of the Base Civil Engineer, Safety
Office, Bioenvironmental Engineer, and Environ-
mental Management Office in a manner that will
not result in violation of local, state, or federal
pollution criteria. Detailed information for dis-
posal is cited in AFI 32-7040, AFI 32-7041, AFI
32-7042, AF PAM 32-7043, AFI 32-7080, and
AFI 32-7086.
Painting operations are hazardous and require control or
preventive measures. Vapors produced, particularly in spray
painting, are usually highly flammable, as are the accumu-
lated dried coating materials deposited on walls, floors, and
equipment in the painting area. Also, coating materials and
their thinners very often contain toxic substances which are
injurious to health by inhalation and, to a lesser degree, by
skin contact. Painting operations also involve hazards of
physical injury due to improper use of work stands, ladders,
hoists, etc. As directed by the local Safety and the Bioenvi-
ronmental Engineers, all painting personnel shall observe all
safety precautions regarding toxicity, other health, and flam-
mability hazards specified by existing instructions and regu-
lations. AFOSH STD 48-8 and 48-137; AFPD 91-3; AFOSH
STD 91-17, 91-25, 91-68, 91-119, and 91-501; AFI 91-301
and 91-302; and NFPA 10, 13, 33, and 91 apply, and all safety
precautions in these documents regarding personnel health,
fire prevention, ventilation, handling of equipment, electrical
grounding, storage of coating materials, area preparation, use
of vapor-proof lights, etc., are mandatory. Refer to Table 5-1
for the minimum recommended personal protective equip-
ment. The following measures are minimum required prac-
tices for personal safety:
a. Wear approved respiratory protective devices.
b. Wear protective clothing to prevent contamination of
ordinary clothing. When painting, use cloth coveralls
with a head covering (sock hat) or hooded Tyvek
coveralls, disposable rubber gloves, and non-slip foot
coverings for walking on aircraft. Do not store protec-
tive clothing in the painting area. Store protective
clothing in ventilated metal lockers in some other
convenient location.
c. After painting, wash hands thoroughly before eating. Do
not carry food into spraying areas.
d. Spray paint only in areas approved by Fire, Safety, and
Bioenvironmental Engineering.
Spray gun nozzles are sources of very high
pressure. During operation and cleaning of paint
spray guns, the nozzle shall never be pointed
towards any person in close proximity.
e. Spray painting equipment presents hazards of which
painters should be aware. Consult manufacturers’ in-
structions for proper handling, cleaning, operation, and
precautionary procedures.
TO 1-1-8
5-1