Spraying TechniquesPolyurethane Paint Systems All personnel assigned duties involving the mixing and applicationof polyurethane coatings

should receive a pre-placement and periodicmedical evaluation. The date and results of each medical evaluations h o u l d b e e n t e r e d o n t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i v e R e m a r k s p a g e o f t h e individuals service record and in the individuals training jacket. Thepolyurethane systems used on naval aircraft consist of two types. Thealiphatic type is used in polyurethane paints. The aromatic type isu s e d in rain erosion-resistant coatings. These materials generallyp r e s e n t n o s p e c i a l h a z a r d t o h e a l t h w h e n t h e y a r e c u r e d ( d r i e d ) . T h e y d o r e q u i r e s p e c i a l p r e c a u t i o n s d u r i n g t h e i r preparation, application, and curing because isocyanate vapors arep r o d u c e d . T h e u n t r e a t e d i s o c y a n a t e s r e l e a s e d c a n p r o d u c e si gn i f i c a nt i r r i t a t i o n t o the s ki n , e ye s , and r e s pi r a t or y t r ac t e ve n in v e r y s m a l l c o n c e n t r a t i o n s . T h e y m a y a l s o i n d u c e a l l e r g i c sensitization. aliphatic polyurethane is the standard g e n e r a l - purpose exterior protective coating for aircraft surfaces. Its uniquecombination of flexibility, gloss retention, and resistance to fuelsand lubricating oils make the coating extremely suitable for aircraftex t er i o r s u r f a ces . It i s s up p l i e d a s a t w o -c o mp o n e n t ki t of base andc a t a l y s t . Y o u s h o u l d u s e a l i p h a t i c p o l y u r e t h a n e over epoxy-polyamide primer and for touch up and insignia m a r k i n g o v e r polyurethane paint systems. All personnel using polyurethane touchup operations should wear protective clothing as described in NA 0 1 - 1 A -5 0 9 . U n p r o t e ct e d p e r s on n el s h o ul d n o t b e p e r mi t t e d cl o se r t h a n 1 5 f e e t t o t h e s p r a y z o n e d u r i n g p a i n t a p p l i c a t i o n w i t h a brush, roller, or spray equipment. They should be permitted no c l o s e r t h a n 4 0 f e e t d u r i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s w i t h c o m p r e s s e d - a i r spray. Unprotected personnel should not be permitted closer than 15f e e t to newly painted surfaces for 30 minutes after the p a i n t i n g operation is completed unless forced air exhaust ventilation is beingused. Aliphatic polyurethane paint is available in kits consisting of 1 part pigmented material and 1 part clear resin component. When youmix aliphatic polyurethane paint, the clear resin component shouldalways be added to the pigmented component. Only material from the same kit should be mixed together. However, two or more kits of thesame color and manufacturer may be mixed in the same vessel. You should not mix clear resin components and pigmented components fromd i f f e r e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s . Y o u s h o u l d a l s o f o l l o w t h e p r e s c r i b e d mixing ratios to prevent long drying times, poor chemic al resistance,or loss of flexibility. You should use a mechanical shaker to agitatethe pigmented component for at least 20 minutes. Then add the clearresin slowly to the pigmented component while you are stirring thepigmented component. Ensure the pigmen ted component and clearresin are thoroughly mixed. You should mix only the amount of paintt h at yo u c an u s e i n t he 4 -h o u r p o t l i f e o f t h e mi x e d p a i nt . W he n painting with polyurethane paints, you should clean the paint gun at thee n d o f e a c h u s e o r e v e r y 4 h o u r s , w h i c h e v e r c o m e s f i r s t . T o s p r a y a l i p h at i c p ol yu r e t ha n e p ai n t , yo u s h o u l d t h i n i t w i t h thinnert o t h e d e s i r e d s p r a y v i s c o s i t y . T h e n s t i r t h e m i x t u r e , s t r a i n i t t h r o u g h cheesecloth, and allow it to stand for a minimum of 15minutes. If theviscosity of the mixed paint is too thick for spraying within 3 hoursafter mixing, it maybe thinned again by adding thinner. You shouldnot attempt to re-thin paint after 3 hours because it t ends to produceo r a n g e p e e l o r

d r y s p o t s . A l i p h a t i c p o l y u r e t h a n e p a i n t s h o u l d b e applied over a clean epoxypolyamide primer within 8 hours of primerapplication. For the best results, you should apply the topcoat as soon asthe primer is dry. You should apply the minimum thickness required tohide 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 ortopcoat that has aged longer than 24 hours should be scuff sanded andc l e a n e d b e f o r e i t i s p a i n t e d . Y o u s h o u l d a l l o w a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 h o u r s f or p ai nt e d s u r f a c es t o dr y. A d d i t i o n al t i me , u s u a l l y 1 o r 2 h o u r s , wi l l b e r e qu i r e d i f t h e t e mp e r a t ur e is b el o w 7 0 F . During the a p p l i c a t i o n o f a n a l i p h a t i c p o l y u r e t h a n e t o p c o a t , c e r t a i n d i s c r e p a n c i e s m a y a p p e a r o n t h e f i n i s h b e c a u s e o f f a u l t y application methods.The most common defects, probable causes, andp r e ve n t i on s ar e l i s t e d i n N A 0 1 -1 A -5 0 9 . If a n y o f t h e s e de f e ct s a r e found, they should be corrected before you continue to paint.