Deicer Boot Maintenance; Icex Application - Piper PA-44-180 SEMINOLE Maintenance Manual

A minimum of five pounds tension (pull) shall be required to remove the test strip. If less than five pounds is
required, then acceptability of the boot adhesion shall be based on the following tests:
1. Carefully tilt one corner of boot in question sufficiently to attach a spring clamp.
2. Attach a spring scale to this clamp and pull with force 180° to the surface and in such a direction t hat the
boot tends to be removed on the diagonal.
3. If a force of five pounds per inch of width can be exerted under these conditions,. the installation shall be
considered satisfactory. Remember, the width increases as the corner peels back.
4. Re-cement corner following previous procedure.
5. Failure to meet this requirement shall result in reinstallation of the boot.
Possible reasons for failure are: dirty surfaces, cement not reactivated properly,
cement not mixed thoroughly. Corrosion of the metal skin may occur if good
adhesion is not attained, especially around rivet heads and metal skin splices.
If these adhesion requirements are met, the airplane may be flown immediately. Do not inflate deicers within
12 hours of installation or until adhesion strength of 8 to 10 pounds is obtained.

DEICER BOOT MAINTENANCE.

Clean deicers when the airplane is washed with a mild soap and water solution. In cold weather, wash the
boots with the airplane inside a warm hangar if possible. If the cleaning is to be done outdoors, heat the soap and
water solution before taking it out to the airplane. If difficulty is encountered with the water freezing on the
boots, direct a blast of warm air along the region being cleaned, using a portable type ground heater.

ICEX APPLICATION.

B. F. Goodrich Icex is silicone base material specifically compounded to lower the strength of adhesion
between ice and the rubber surfaces of airplane deicers. Icex will not harm rubber and offers added ozone
protection.
Properly applied and renewed at recommended intervals. Icex provides a smooth polished film that evens out
the microscopic irregularities on the surface of rubber parts. Ice formations have less chance to cling. Ice is
removed faster and cleaner when deicers are operated.
It should be emphasized that Icex is not a cure-all for icing problems. Icex will not prevent or remove ice
formations. Its only function is to keep ice from initially getting a strong foothold, thus making removal easier.
One 16 ounce pressurized can of Icex will cover deicer surfaces of the average light twin-engine plane
approximately three times. It is also available in quart cans (unpressurized).
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA - 4 4 - 1 8 0 / 1 8 0 T
AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL
— Note —
2D22
3 0 - 1 3 - 1 5
Page 30-18
Revised: May 15, 1989