Spraying Techniques

Polyurethane Paint Systems

All personnel assigned duties involving the mixing and application
of polyurethane coatings should receive a pre-placement and periodic
medical evaluation. The date and results of each medical evaluation
should be entered on the Administrative Remarks page of the
individual’s service record and in the individual’s training jacket. The
polyurethane systems used on naval aircraft consist of two types. The
aliphatic type is used in polyurethane paints. The aromatic type is
used in rain erosion-resistant coatings. These materials generally
present no special hazard to health when they are cured
(dried).They do require special precautions during their
preparation, application, and curing because isocyanate vapors are
produced. The untreated isocyanates released can produce
significant irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract even in
very small concentrations. They may also induce allergic
sensitization. aliphatic polyurethane is the standard general-
purpose exterior protective coating for aircraft surfaces. Its unique
combination of flexibility, gloss retention, and resistance to fuels
and lubricating oils make the coating extremely suitable for aircraft
exterior surfaces.It is supplied as a two-component kit of base and
catalyst. You should use aliphatic polyurethane over epoxy-
polyamide primer and for touch up and insignia marking over
polyurethane paint systems. All personnel using polyurethane touch
up operations should wear protective clothing as described in NA
01- 1A-509. Unprotected personnel should not be permitted closer
than 15 feet to the spray zone during paint application with a
brush, roller, or spray equipment. They should be permitted no
closer than 40 feet during applications with compressed-air
spray. Unprotected personnel should not be permitted closer than 15
feet to newly painted surfaces for 30 minutes after the painting
operation is completed unless forced air exhaust ventilation is being
used. Aliphatic polyurethane paint is available in kits consisting of 1
part pigmented material and 1 part clear resin component. When you
mix aliphatic polyurethane paint, the clear resin component should
always be added to the pigmented component. Only material from the
same kit should be mixed together. However, two or more kits of the
same color and manufacturer may be mixed in the same vessel. You
should not mix clear resin components and pigmented components from
different manufacturers. You should also follow the prescribed
mixing ratios to prevent long drying times, poor chemical resistance,
or loss of flexibility. You should use a mechanical shaker to agitate
the pigmented component for at least 20 minutes. Then add the clear
resin slowly to the pigmented component while you are stirring the
pigmented component. Ensure the pigmented component and clear
resin are thoroughly mixed. You should mix only the amount of paint
that you can use in the 4-hour pot life of the mixed paint. When
painting with polyurethane paints, you should clean the paint gun at the
end of each use or every 4 hours, whichever comes first. To spray
aliphatic polyurethane paint, you should thin it with thinner to the
desired spray viscosity. Then stir the mixture, strain it through
cheesecloth, and allow it to stand for a minimum of 15minutes. If the
viscosity of the mixed paint is too thick for spraying within 3 hours
after mixing, it maybe thinned again by adding thinner. You should
not attempt to re-thin paint after 3 hours because it tends to produce
orange peel or dry spots. Aliphatic polyurethane paint should be
applied over a clean epoxy-polyamide primer within 8 hours of primer
application. For the best results, you should apply the topcoat as soon as
the primer is dry. You should apply the minimum thickness required to
hide the primer. Apply two thin, wet coats about 30 minutes apart.
Do not apply a mist coat because it may cause a low gloss. A primer or
topcoat that has aged longer than 24 hours should be scuff sanded and
cleaned before it is painted. You should allow approximately 8
hours for painted surfaces to dry. Additional time, usually 1 or 2
hours, will be required if the temperature is below 70°F. During the
application of an aliphatic polyurethane topcoat, certain
discrepancies may appear on the finish because of faulty
application methods.The most common defects, probable causes, and
preventions are listed in NA 01-1A-509.If any of these defects are
found, they should be corrected before you continue to paint