SECTION III. BEFORE YOU PAINT

TB 43-0242

2-11. Matching Patterns. When you're touching up a

3-5. Weather for Painting. The weather conditions

camouflaged surface, try to repaint using the original

when you paint are important. Painting when the

camouflage pattern. The pattern was designed to best

temperature is too hot or cold can be a waste of time.

camouflage the equipment.

The paint won't dry properly, and may peel off in a

matter of days or weeks.

SECTION III. BEFORE YOU PAINT

You'll get the best results when you: a. Paint when the

temperature is between 60 ° and 100 ° . The ideal

3-1. Before You Paint. There's more to using CARC

temperature is 75-80 ° and a humidity of 45-50

(or any other paint) than grabbing a brush, a can of paint

percent.

and getting to work. Poor preparation results in a poor

paint job that may soon have to be redone.

However, you can paint when the humidity is more or

less than the ideal. If the temperature is over 100 ° ,

3-2. Pubs You Need. To begin with, grab a copy of

add a few ounces of thinner to each quart (but not more

TM 43-0139, Painting Instructions for Army Materiel,

than 8 ounces per quart) so the paint doesn't dry quite

and look it over. It explains each of the primers and

so fast. Or wait for cooler evening hours to paint.

topcoats available and how to mix and use them. You

need a copy of TB Med 514, too. It covers health

precautions needed when using any paints.

Until the TB Med is printed, US Army Environmental

Hygiene Activity Technical Guide 144, Guidelines for

Controlling Health Hazards in Painting Operations,

covers this area. Get a copy from:

Commander US Army Environmental Hygiene

Agency ATTN:

IISIIB-CI-O Aberdeen Proving

Ground, MD 21010-5422

3-3. Material Safety Data Sheets. These must be

available for each paint, solvent or other hazardous

materials used in the shop. They list any special

precautions or procedures needed, as well as first-aid

measures. You'll find additional information in the DoD

Hazardous Materials Information System Hazardous

Item Listing, DOD 6050.5-L. Disposal information is in

DOD 6050.5-L-1. Pay attention to warnings on paint

can labels.

3-4.

Health Concerns.

Check with your local

Preventive Medicine office, too. They can advise you

b. Paint in the shade or on overcast days, never in

on hazards involved in painting operations and

direct sunlight.

precautions to take.