Piper SARATOGA PA-32-301 Maintenance Manual page 414

PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-32-301/301T
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
1. Surface Preparation:
A. Surface dirt and paint if applied must be removed from the item being repaired. Household
cleaners have proven most effective in removing surface dirt.
B. Preliminary cleaning of the damaged area with perchlorethylene or VM&P Naphtha will
generally insure a good bond between epoxy compounds and thermoplastic.
2. Surface Scratches. Abrasion or Ground-in-Dirt: (Refer to Figure 51-2.)
A. Shallow scratches and abraded surfaces are usually repaired by following directions on
containers of conventional automotive buffing and rubbing compounds.
B. If large dirt particles are embedded in thermoplastic parts, they can be removed with a hot air
gun capable of supplying heat in the temperature range of 300
°
to 400
°
F. Use care not to overheat the material.
Hold the nozzle of the gun about 1 4 of an inch away from the surface and apply heat with a circular motion
until the area is sufficiently soft to remove the dirt particles.
C. The thermoplastic will return to its original shape upon cooling.
3. Deep Scratches. Shallow Nicks and Small Holes: (Less than I inch in diameter.) (Refer to Figure
51-3.)
A. Solvent cements will fit virtually any of these applications. If the area to be repaired is very small.
it may be quicker to make a satisfactory cement by dissolving thermoplastic material of the same type being
repaired in solvent until the desired paste-like consistency is achieved.
B. This mixture is then applied to the damaged area. Upon solvent evaporation. the hard durable
solids remaining can easily be shaped to the desired contour by filing or sanding.
C. Solvent adhesives are not recommended for highly stressed areas. on thin walled parts or for
patching holes greater than 1 4 inch in diameter.
S71
Figure 51-2. Surface Scratches, Abrasions or Ground-in-Dirt
51-10-04
Page 51-07
Revised: August 9, 1984
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