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Stripping and removing aircraft finishes

URN: SEMAE3092
Business Sectors (Suites): Aeronautical Engineering Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2021

Overview

This standard identifies the competences you need to strip and remove aircraft paint finishes, in accordance with approved procedures. It covers both fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft. You will be required to work to and use appropriate job instructions, specifications, tools and equipment to strip and remove aircraft paint finishes. You will be expected to use the specified or appropriate process and techniques to strip back to bare metal or composites, clean all areas that have been stripped and dispose of all the waste materials in line with organisational procedures.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the stripping and removal activities undertaken and to report any problems with the activities, components or equipment that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you produce.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to the techniques and procedures used for stripping and removing aircraft finishes. You will understand the procedures for stripping, cleaning and disposal of waste materials and will know about the stripping and removal techniques, tools, equipment, materials and consumables, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when working with stripping agents and when carrying out the stripping operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. ensure that material surfaces to be treated are suitably prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out
  3. check that the finishing equipment and treatment solutions are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
  4. strip and remove aircraft finishes in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification requirements
  5. ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
  6. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
  7. dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
  8. shut down the finishing equipment to a safe condition on completion of the processing activities
  9. complete the relevant documentation, in accordance with organisational requirements
  10. leave the work area, aircraft/components in a safe and appropriate condition, free from foreign object debris on completion of the activities

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst stripping and removing finishes using specific equipment (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
  2. the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the stripping and removal activity, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
  3. the hazards associated with stripping aircraft surface finishes and with the tools, equipment and materials used and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
  4. the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the stripping and removal activity
  5. the various types of drawing and specification that are used during the stripping and removal activity
  6. the preparation methods and techniques to be undertaken prior to stripping and removal
  7. the surface treatment methods and techniques to be undertaken, prior to stripping and removal for metals and composites
  8. the preparation methods and techniques for mixing stripper solutions
  9. the procedures for the transportation and storage of stripper solutions
  10. the equipment care and control procedures (such as fume extraction systems, stripper wands and air fed suites)
  11. cleaning and maintenance procedures for spray guns and spray areas
  12. safe operation of compressed air facilities and how to set the different air pressures
  13. the surface treatments available and their characteristics and use (such as degreasers, solvent cleaners, paint strippers and water washes)
  14. recognition of defects (such as residues, foreign object damage, contamination, and surface defects due to the process)
  15. the tools and equipment used in the activities and their calibration, care, preparation and control procedures
  16. the procedures for dealing with waste materials
  17. why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
  18. the problems that can occur with the stripping operations and how these can be overcome
  19. the recording documentation to be completed for the stripping activities undertaken and where appropriate, marking and identifying specific pieces of work in relation to the documentation
  20. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

Scope Performance

  1. Carry out all of the following during the stripping process:

    1. obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, aircraft standards and specifications material data sheets, planning and quality control documentation)
    2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
    3. provide and maintain a safe working environment for the paint stripping activities
    4. obtain the correct tools and equipment for the activity and check that they are in a safe, tested and usable condition and within current certification date
    5. obtain clearance to work on the aircraft and observe any power isolation procedures
    6. prepare the required tools and equipment in readiness for the stripping operations
    7. use appropriate techniques and procedures to strip the paint finish from the aircraft/components
    8. clean all tools and equipment on completion of the stripping activities
    9. return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities

  2. Strip paint finishes from three of the following aircraft components:

    1. blades and shafts (helicopters only)
    2. sub-assemblies
    3. details
    4. complete aircraft
    5. major assemblies

  3. Carry out all of the following in preparation/during the stripping process:

    1. preparation of the area   
    2. surface pre-treatments  
    3. applying stripper
    4. masking perishable items
    5. washing down stripped areas

  4. Apply both types of stripper (below), using spray wands:

    1. hot paint stripper (stripper that will remove all paint back to bare

metal)
2. mild paint stripper (stripper that will remove paint back to primer)

  1. Use three of the following consumables:

    1. paper masking tape  
    2. cleaning materials
    3. abrasive pads  
    4. metal masking tape
    5. masking film
    6. other specific consumables

  2. Carry out paint stripping activities in compliance with one of the following standards:

    1. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)/European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
    2. Ministry of Defence (MoD)
    3. Military Aviation Authority (MAA)
    4. Aerospace Quality Management Standards (AS)    
    5. customer standards and requirements
    6. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
    7. company standards and procedures
    8. BS, ISO or BSEN standards and procedures
    9. manufacturers standards and procedures

  3. Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one from the following and pass it to the appropriate people:

    1. build records              
    2. log cards                  
    3. job cards                   
    4. aircraft log
    5. other specific recording method

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

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You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:

  • strong work ethic
  • positive attitude
  • team player
  • dependability
  • responsibility
  • honesty
  • integrity
  • motivation
  • commitment

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Enginuity

Original URN

SEMAE3092

Relevant Occupations

Engineer, Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians

SOC Code

5234

Keywords

engineering; aeronautical; stripping; removing; aircraft finishes; materials; hot paint stripping; mild paint stripping; abrasive pads; masking