UH-60 Series/HH-60M: Use The Right Tool to Remove Pro-Seal

BLUF:  Don’t use a screwdriver to remove pro-seal from the hydraulic deck; instead, use a non-metallic scraper.


Photo by Sgt. Sarah Sangster
 

This article initially appeared in PS 775 (Jun 17).
 
Mechanics, good preventive maintenance includes using the right tool to remove pre-seal from Black Hawk parts. Using the wrong tool can damage your aircraft and its components.
When removing components on the hydraulic deck of your aircraft, your first step is to scrape off the old pro-seal. That can be a real exercise in muscle power.
 
The knee jerk reaction is to grab a sturdy screwdriver or some other tool to start chipping away at the hardened pro-seal. Bad idea! Using screwdrivers to scrape off pro-seal leads to punching holes in the sheet metal and damaging parts. So don’t do it!
 

Never use a screwdriver to remove pro-seal
 

The correct way to remove pro-seal is with a non-metallic scraper. The correct way isn’t always the easiest, but it’s up to you to do maintenance right.
 
Here are a couple of ideas on how to make a scraper:
 

• Cut a piece of ¼-in thick plexiglass to 1-in wide x 3-in long. Grind one end of the plexiglass to a 45-degree angle.
   
• Another way is to use an old tail rotor outboard retention plate Teflon shim and cut it the same way.