PREPARATION OF SURFACES

(1) Metal surfaces which are painted with dull camouflage finish should preferably be stripped to bare metal in accordance with T. O. No. 07-1-7 and the metal cleaned and primed. However, Jet 622 camouflage enamel may be applied directly over the dull finish, after thorough cleaning and careful smoothing with No.320,or finer, waterproof sandpaper and water to minimum porosity and roughness. Application of Jet 622 to upper surfaces is not considered necessary but care will be taken to apply the jet camouflage to bottom surfaces and all other surfaces viewed from 30 degrees below horizontal. All junction lines will be “feathered” by overspraying the jet camouflage.

N ОТ E Application of lacquer over enamel may cause lifting of the enamel. If, upon trial, trouble is encountered in

application of lacquer over the old finish, the finish must be removed.

Prior to application of Jet 622 camouflage materials, unpainted metal surfaces will be cleaned in accordance with Specification No.98-20007, or by use of prepainting cleaners as outlined in T. O. No. 01-1-1 and then primed with one smooth coat of zinc chromate primer Specification No. AN-TT-P-656.

(2) Wood surfaces painted with dull camouflage or aluminized finish will be cleaned and then smoothed out by sanding with No.320, or finer; waterproof sandpaper and water, prior to application of the Jet No. 622 camouflage. Unfin­ished wood surfaces will be prepared to produce a surface as smooth and free from irregularities as possible, prior to application of the Jet No. 622 camouflage. Surfacer, Specification No. 14115, may be used in direct-on-wood finishes, provided the film is sanded as thin as possible commensurate with the desired smoothness and “holdout," or fullness, of gloss of the final finish.

b. APPLICATION. – Application of Jet No, 622 camouflage will be by spraying, which presents no unusual problems; however, because of the need to produce a black finish having as near a mirror-like appearance as possible, it is necessary to take extra precautions to avoid dust during painting and drying. Dust which becomes adhered to the paint, especially on the bottom and side surfaces, will result in reduced effectiveness of the camouflage.

NOTE Lacquer, being faster drying, is preferred for Jet No. 622 finish for this reason and should be requisitioned under stock No. 7300-521100.

Jet No. 622 lacquer will be applied to the properly prepared surfaces of metal (and wood) by spraying not less than two full coats. Application of the camouflage material will be controlled so as to produce a finish of uniform hiding, blackness and very high gloss.

NOTE In the event that a rough finish is applied in the field, it may be smoothed by rubbing lightly with 320 or 400 waterproof abrasive paper after which a light but wet coat of camouflage material should be applied.

c. FABRIC SURFACES. – Fabric, doped with aluminized or dull camouflage finish which has not become brittle, may be converted to jet camouflage by the following procedure: Remove all grease and dirt, then wash with soft soap and water, rinse with clean water, and allow the surfaces to dry. Apply two wet spray coats of thinner, Specification No, AN-TT-T256, to soften

North American P-51B-5-NA, 43-6593, aircraft WZ-S of the 84th FS, 78th FG, Eighth Air Force, Duxford, England, on April 10,1945. Seen in a rather embarrassing moment. It has a black spinner, black and white checks on the nose and a black rudder. Note the letters “WW” above the serial number on the (in. (USAF)

North American P-51C-I0-NT, 42-103863, aircraft SX-M “Lucky Leaky II”, of the 352nd FS, 353rd FG, 66th FW, 3rd Air Div. It is seen after making a good belly landing, note the very heavy exhaust stain aft of the exhausts. Aircraft shows one “kill”. Spinner and nose were in hlack and yellow, and the rudder was black. (USAF)

up the old finish, and allow to dry not more than 30 minutes. Apply three spray coats of gloss black pigmented dope, the last of which is cut with an equal portion of clear dope, Specification No. AN-TT-D-514, before thinning, to impart added gloss. If fabric is new, tauten with a minimum of two brush coats and two spray coats of Specification No. AN-TT-D-514 dope. Sand lightly, exercising caution that the parts are grounded properly. Finish with three spray coats of gloss black pigmented dope, Specification No. AN-TT-D-554, the last coat of which is cut with an equal portion of clear dope, Specification No. AN-TT-D – 514, before thinning, to impart added gloss.

d. MAINTENANCE OF JET NO 622 FINISH. – The effectiveness of night camouflage is reduced by accumula­tions of mud, dust, oil, gun blast or exhaust gas residues, and chalking of the paint film, particularly on sides and under surfaces of aircraft. Excessively widespread scratches and especially bare metal exposed by scratches, also have a deleterious effect. Therefore, cleaning and maintenance operations on the airplane should be so conducted as to avoid scratching the finish and to minimize exposure of bare metal. Before engaging in night operation, mud, dust, muzzle blast, or exhaust gas residues and oil should be removed and any bare metal areas retouched with Jet No. 622 camouflage materials especially on sides and under surfaces. THE CLOSER THIS TYPE OF CAMOUFLAGE APPROACHES THE APPEARANCE OF A BLACK MIRROR, THE MORE EFFECTIVE IT BECOMES.

e. REJUVENATION. – If, on extended exposure, a surface haze appears on the paint, wash with soap and water and rinse with clean water, then wipe surface thoroughly with clean cloths wet with naphtha or solvent, Specification No. P-S-661. The cloths should be wet by pouring solvent on them and should not be dipped into the solvent. Discard cloths as they become soiled. Spray on one light coat of Jet No. 622 camouflage lacquer, Specification No. AN-L-29. Clean doped surfaces in the same manner, but apply only gloss black dope, Specification No, AN-TT-D-554, cut with clear dope, Specification No. AN-TT-D – 514.

7. DAY CAMOUFLAGE.

Standard day camouflage for liaison aircraft, helicopters, troop carrier transports, and gliders consist of upper surfaces olive drab, shade No. 613, AN Bulletin 157A and lower surfaces Army-Navy sea gray, No. 603. (Refer to AN Bulletin 157A.)

8. METAL CORROSION PREVENTION.

The exterior of alclad metal fuselages and metal airfoils does not ordinarily require paint as a protection against corro­sion.

(Refer to T. O. No. 01-1-2.) However, where it is necessary to provide additional protective finish, any such unprotected parts will be cleaned with prepainting cleaner (T. O, No. 01-1-1), finished with one coat of zinc chromate primer, Specification No. AN-TT-P-656, and two coats of aluminized lacquer. Aluminized lacquer consists of lacquer cellulose nitrate, clear, Specifica­tion No. AN-TT-L-51, pigmented with 12 ounces per gallon of paste, aluminum pigment, Specification No. AN-TT-A-461. NOTE Mix in accordance with T. O. No. 07-1-2.

9. ANTIGLARE.

Antiglare camouflage olive drab or camouflage black is authorized to be applied to top of the fuselage in front of the cockpit on the inside upper one-fourth of the engine nacelle forward of the leading edge of the wing over a properly cleaned and primed surface.