TM 10-8400-203-23 2-6.  REPAIR  AND  MAINTENANCE  OF  PNEUMATIC  MATTRESSES I a. Inspection. Prior to repair each item will be inspected to determine the amount of repair necessary. Repair will  be  made  as  fully  as  skills,  facilities,  funds  and  local  conditions  permit,  if  cost  does  not  exceed  65 percent of the acquisition cost of the item. b.   Cleaning.   Place   mattress   requiring   cleaning   on   a   flat   surface   with   plug   tightly   in   place   and   scrub thoroughly, using water and a mild soap or detergent which will have no harmful effect on the fabric. Do not wash items with holes or other defects which might permit entry of water into the air chamber until after such defects are repaired. Exception of this is in instances when sufficient air pressure can be maintained in  the  mattress  during  cleaning  to  prevent  the  entry  of  water.  During  the  cleaning  process,  examine partially or wholly inflated items for bubbles or other indications of leaks and clearly mark such areas for repair.  Rinse  thoroughly  in  clear  water  after  scrubbing.  When  the  proper  Quartermaster  or  commercial type  laundry  equipment  is  available,  tightly  stoppered  and  leak-free  mattresses  may  be  tumbled,  using two 3-minute rinses in cold water followed by a laundry sour rinse, When this method is used, exercise care  to  prevent  over  washing  or  use  of  excessive  heat.  Petroleum  base  solvents  or  other  cleaning compounds  which  may  have  an  injurous  effect  on  the  mattresses  will  not  be  used.  Cleaning  will  be accomplished in such manner as to insure against damage to the coating. Thoroughly clean stoppers and wing  tubing  with  castile  soap  or  by  other  antiseptic,  nontoxic,  and  nonirritating  process. Toluene, Federal Specification TT-T-548, is toxic and flammable. Use only in a  well-ventilated  area.  Avoid  prolonged  breathing  of  vapors.  Keep  away from open flame. Do not use excessive amounts, c.  Installing  the  Inflator  Tube. (1)  The  inflating  tube  will  be  cleaned  for  cementing  as  follows:  Abrade  the  entire  face  and  back  of  the circular flange by means of a motor driven wheel or by hand sanding; using abrasive fabric such as Gritcloth  C-120.  After  abrading,  none  of  the  previously  applied  adhesive  will  be  visible.  Wash  the surface  with  a  clean  cloth  wetted  with  toluene  (NSN  6810-00-281-2002)  to  remove  abrasion  dust. (2)  Abrade  by  hand  the  area  where  the  inflating  tube  and  the  circular  reinforcement  piece  are  to  be affixed, using Gritcloth C-120 (Comprising an area approx. 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm) in diameter on the exterior  surface  of  the  mattress). (3) Cut a circular piece of the same material as used in the fabrication of the mattress approx. 4 inches in diameter with an approximate 1 1/4 inch (3.175 cm) diameter hole. Wipe one side of each piece with toluene   in   preparation   for   the   adhesive.   Circular   pieces   can   be   cut   from   salvaged   pneumatic mattress. (4)  Apply  a  medium-thickness  brush  coat  of  a  two-part  neoprene  cement  (NSN  8040-00-515-2246)  to the entire bottom side of the inflating tube flange and to the 4 1/2 inch (11.43 cm) diameter area around the valve hole of the mattress. Allow the coats to dry at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. Apply a second coat of cement to the flange bottom. Allow to dry at room temperature for two to three minutes before affixing the inflating tube to the mattress. Role the flange down by means of a two-pound, two- inch wide steel roller for best adhesion. 2-11