Technical data

5.6.1 Aircraft Paint Application Sequence.
• Aircraft shall be primed and painted so paint-
er’s exposure to the spray mist or cloud is
minimized.
• Always spray with painter’s back or side
upwind, and never direct spray upwind.
• Two or more painters spraying at the same
time shall never spray directly at each other
and shall be positioned as far apart as possible
or on opposite sides of the aircraft.
• When priming, start at the end of the aircraft
near the exhaust filter bank and move toward
the air supply.
Application of coatings on aircraft by spraying methods is
best accomplished by at least two painters supported by
helpers to handle lines, stands, etc., as required. Four painters
may be required on larger aircraft. Recommended painting
sequences are as follows:
5.6.1.1 Small aircraft-tail toward hanger/insert exhaust.
a. Priming
(1) For “T” tail aircraft, apply a full wet coat of primer
to the horizontal stabilizer upper surface starting at
the center moving outboard to the tip with a stroke
perpendicular to the leading edge. Using this same
technique, prime the horizontal stabilizer lower sur-
face and then apply a full wet coat of primer to the
outboard edge of the tip and the front of the leading
edge working from the tip to the junction with the
vertical stabilizer. Apply a full wet coat of primer to
each side of the vertical stabilizer(s) starting at the
top and leading edge moving down and aft with a
vertical stroke. Finally, apply a full wet coat of
primer to the front of the vertical stabilizer(s) leading
edge starting at the top moving down. For bottom
mounted horizontal stabilizer aircraft prime using the
same techniques as for a “T” tail aircraft except
prime the vertical stabilizer first. Prime vertical
stabilizer mounted engine nacelles using the same
techniques at this time.
(2) Apply a full wet coat of primer to the aft section of
the fuselage starting at the aft end and the top moving
forward and down to the junction with the wing
trailing edge with a vertical stroke. Prime any aft
fuselage mounted engine nacelles using the same
techniques at this time.
(3) Apply a full wet coat of primer to the lower surface
of the wings starting at the tip moving inboard to the
wing root with a stroke perpendicular to the leading
edge. Prime all wing mounted pylons, tanks, and
nacelles, all main landing gear pods and doors, lower
fuselage between the wings on low wing aircraft, the
side of the fuselage beneath the wings, and the lower
fuselage on high wing aircraft using the same tech-
niques at this time.
(4) Apply a full wet coat of primer to the upper surface
of the wings starting at the tip moving inboard
toward the fuselage with a stroke perpendicular to
the leading edge. Apply a full wet coat of primer to
the wing tip outboard edge and the front of the
leading edge starting at the tip and moving inboard.
For low wing aircraft, prime the fuselage side above
the wing and the top of the fuselage using the same
techniques at this time.
(5) Apply a full wet coat of primer to the forward section
of the fuselage starting at the wing leading edge and
the top moving down and forward to the nose with a
vertical stroke.
b. Topcoating
(1) Topcoats are applied in either a one coat or a two
coat system. For a one coat system, apply a mist coat
of the topcoat with a stroke in one direction followed
immediately be a full wet crosscoat with a stroke
perpendicular to the stroke of the mist coat working
small areas at a time. For a two coat system, apply
the first coat with a stroke in one direction and the
second coat with a stroke perpendicular to the first
coat, but after the first coat “time to overcoat”
specified for the coating system has elapsed.
(2) Apply topcoat to the fuselage forward section start-
ing at the nose and leading edge with the initial
stroke perpendicular to the fuselage length. Apply
the criteria in Paragraph 5.6.1.1 step b (1).
(3) Apply topcoat to the upper surface of the wings
starting at the tip and moving inboard toward the
fuselage with the initial stroke perpendicular to the
leading edge. Apply the criteria in Paragraph 5.6.1.1
step b (1). For lower wing aircraft coat the fuselage
section above the wings using the same technique at
this time.
(4) Apply topcoat to the lower surface of the wings
starting at the tip moving inboard toward the fuselage
with the initial stroke perpendicular to the leading
edge. Apply the criteria in Paragraph 5.6.1.1 step b
(1). Apply topcoat to all wing mounted pylons, tanks,
and nacelles, all main landing gear pods and doors,
lower fuselage between the wings on low wing
aircraft, and the side of the fuselage on high wing
aircraft using the same techniques at this time.
Finally, apply topcoat to the outboard edge of the tip
and front of the leading edge starting at the tip and
moving inboard toward the fuselage.
TO 1-1-8
5-8