TM 10-8400-201-23 2-5.  REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF UNIFORMS-Continued Use  no  more  than  a  slight  rotating  motion  of  the  iron  and  apply  constant  pressure.    Remove  the  iron  and allow the patched area to cool in place about 5 seconds, or long enough so that the patch will not drift off when the garment is removed from the ironing board. Patches that are longer than the Iron may be ironed in sections, starting at the center and completing each section  before  proceeding  to  the  next  section.    Overlapping  of  the  iron  upon  previously  bonded  section  is permissible.  Carefully trim away any frayed protrusions at the torn edges. (c)  Quality control.  Adjust heating, pressing, and cooling times as required for the iron being used.  Check the quality of the adhesive bond periodically and adjust heating times and temperatures. NOTE Check  Test.    Periodically  during  the  work  and  when  adjusting  the  iron,  test  a patch  which  has  cooled  for  about  5  minutes  by  picking  with  the  fingers  at  the edge  of  the  patch  until  a  tab  about  1/4-  to  1/2-inch  (0.74  cm  to  1.27  cm)  long  is formed.    Pull  hard  on  the  tab  with  fingers.    A  well  bonded  tab  will  indicate  that iron adjustment and heating time are adequate.  Replace the test patch with a new patch. 1.  If the adhesive strikes through the patch cloth, too much heat has been applied.  Reduce time of pressing or temperature of the iron.  A small amount of strike-through is not objectionable provided the patch meets the check test. 2.  A  bonded patch which has a lifted edge will be re-ironed.  A bonded patch which has been subjected to the check test will be replaced. 3.    When  patching  by  special  automatic  press,  the  platen  temperature,  dwell  time,  dwell  pressure,  and  other details shall be In accordance with the press manufacturer's Instructions. c.  Cleaning.  Items shall be cleaned by individual laundering or by utilizing laundry facilities provided at the installation. d.  Direct Support Level of Maintenance. (1)    Preliminary  examination  and  cleaning.    Dirt,  mud,  dust,  spots,  mildew  stain,  and  other  foreign  matter  shall  be removed with a brush or by laundering.  Mildewy and rotten items shall be discarded. Seams shall be tested by grasping the item with both hands and pulling at right angles to the seam.  Areas to be repaired shall be marked with crayon. Non-specification and personnel marks shall be erased or obscured. (2)    Laundry.  Items shall be processed in laundry facilities In accordance with established practices set forth in FM 10-280.    When  such  facilities  are  not  available,  items  shall  be  laundered  by  contract  with  private  Industry  in accordance with accepted commercial laundry practices. 2-8