Safety in the Paint Shop New Stripping Methods Chemical Stripping Plastic Media Blasting (PMB) Storage of Finishing Materials •  A laser stripping process used to remove coatings from  composites. •  Carbon dioxide pellets (dry ice) used in conjunction  with a pulsed flashlamp that rapidly heats a thin layer  of paint, which is then blasted away by the ice pellets. stripper manufacturer can recommend protective material  for this purpose. This normally includes all window material,  vents and static ports, rubber seals and tires, and composite  components that may be affected by the chemicals.  The removal of paint from an aircraft, even a small single- engine model, involves not only the labor but a concern  for the environment. You should recognize the impact and  regulatory requirements that are necessary to dispose of the  water and coating materials removed from the aircraft. abrasive blasting process designed to replace chemical paint  stripping operations. PMB is similar to conventional sand  blasting except that soft, angular plastic particles are used as  the blasting medium. The process has minimum effect on the  surface under the paint because of the plastic medium and  relatively low air pressure used in the process. The media,  when processed through a reclamation system, can be reused  up to 10 times before it becomes too small to effectively  remove the paint.  PMB is most effective on metal surfaces, but it has been  used successfully on composite surfaces after it was found  to produce less visual damage than removing the paint  by sanding.  At one time, most chemical strippers contained methylene  chloride, considered an environmentally acceptable chemical  until 1990. It was very effective in removing multiple  layers of paint. However, in 1990, it was listed as a toxic air  contaminant that caused cancer and other medical problems  and was declared a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) by the  EPA in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Various methods and materials for stripping paint and other  coatings are under development and include: Since then, other substitute chemical strippers were tested,  from formic acid to benzyl alcohol. None of them were found  to be particularly effective in removing multiple layers of  paint. Most of them were not friendly to the environment. One of the more recent entries into the chemical stripping  business is an environmentally friendly product known as  EFS-2500, which works by breaking the bond between the  substrate and primer. This leads to a secondary action that  causes the paint to lift both primer and top coat off the surface  as a single film. Once the coating is lifted, it is easily removed  with a squeegee or high-pressure water.  All paint booths and shops must have adequate ventilation  systems installed that not only remove the toxic air but, when  properly operating, reduce and/or eliminate overspray and  dust from collecting on the finish. All electric motors used in  the fans and exhaust system should be grounded and enclosed  to eliminate sparks. The lighting systems and all bulbs should  be covered and protected against breakage. This product differs from conventional chemical strippers by  not melting the coatings. Cleanup is easier, and the product  complies with EPA rules on emissions. Additionally, it  passed Boeing testing specifications related to sandwich  corrosion, immersion corrosion, and hydrogen embrittlement.  EFS-2500 has no chlorinated components, is non-acidic,  nonflammable, nonhazardous, biodegradable, and has  minimal to no air pollution potential. The stripper can be applied using existing common methods,  such as airless spraying, brushing, rolling, or immersion in a  tank. It works on all metals, including aluminum, magnesium,  cadmium plate, titanium, wood, fiberglass, ceramic, concrete,  plaster, and stone.  Plastic media blasting (PMB) is one of the stripping methods  that reduces and may eliminate a majority of environmental  pollution problems that can be associated with the earlier  formulations of some chemical stripping. PMB is a dry  Proper respirators and fresh air breathing systems must  be available to all personnel involved in the stripping  and painting process. When mixing any paint or two-part  coatings, eye protection and respirators should be worn.  An appropriate number and size of the proper class fire  extinguishers should be available in the shop or hangar  during all spraying operations. They should be weighed and  certified, as required, to ensure they work in the event they  are needed. Fireproof containers should be available for the  disposal of all paint and solvent soaked rags. All chemical components that are used to paint an aircraft  burn in their liquid state. They should be stored away from  all sources of heat or flames. The ideal place would be in  fireproof metal cabinets located in a well-ventilated area.  8-21