MIL-HDBK-1110
Table 6
Commonly Used Methods of Surface Preparation for Coatings
(IMPORTANT NOTE: Methods may require modification or special
control when leaded paint is present.)
Cleaning
Equipment
Comments
Method
Removes oil and grease not readily removed by other
Organic
Solvent such as
methods; precautions must be taken to avoid fires and
solvent
mineral spirits,
sprayers, rags, etc.
may restrict use.
Pumps, chemicals,
At pressures not exceeding 2000 psi, removes soil,
Detergent/
sprayers, brushes
chalk, mildew, grease, and oil, depending upon
power
washing
removal.
Acid
Chemicals, sprayers,
Removes residual efflorescence and
laitance from
and brushes
concrete after dry brushing. Thoroughly rinse
afterwards.
Removes coatings from most substrates, but slow,
Chemicals, sprayers,
Chemical
messy, and expensive; may degrade surface of wood
scrapers, washing
paint
substrates.
equipment
strippers
Steam
Removes heavy oil, grease, and chalk; usually used
lines, and nozzles
prior to other methods.
At pressures of 2000 psi and above, removes loose
Water
High pressure water
paint from steel, concrete and wood; can damage wood
blasting
pumps, lines, and
or masonry unless care is taken; inhibitor generally
nozzles
added to water to prevent flash rusting of steel.
Hand tool
Wire brushes,
mostly for spot repair; slow and not thorough.
scrapers
Faster and more thorough than hand tools because
Power tool
Wire brushes,
tools give a near-white condition on steel but not an
needle guns, rotary
angular profile; slower than abrasive blasting; some
peeners, etc.
tools are fitted with vacuum collection devices.
Heat
Electric heat guns
Can be used to soften coatings on wood, masonry, or
steel; softened coatings are scraped away, torches
SHOULD NOT be used.
Typically used on metal and, with care on masonry;
Abrasive
Sand, metal shot, and
can use recyclable abrasives; special precautions are
blasting
metal or synthetic
needed when removing lead containing paint. Water
grit propelled onto
may be added to control dust and its addition may
metal by pressurized
require use of inhibitors. Vacuum blasting reduces
air, with or without
dust but is slower than open. Centrifugal blasting
water, or centrifugal
is a closed cycle system in which abrasive is thrown
force
by a spinning vaned wheel.
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