TM 10-8400-203-23
Section Il. REPAIR PROCEDURES
18-5. GENERAL
Materials used in the repair of vests will be serviceable materials recovered from similar salvaged items, when
authorized, or preferably, will be new materials as specified in Section Ill. New materials will be requisitioned
from stock under the national stock numbers and from item descriptions as listed and will conform to the
appropriate specifications. When not available from stock, materials may be purchased locally that conform as
closely as possible to the standard material for emergency repair. Care and cleaning shall be done by the
individual user. All other maintenance should be accomplished at Depot Maintenance Activities.
18-6. REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
a. Inspection: Inspect the overall condition of the carrier, the inserts and all components. They should be
carefully examined to determine if they are worthy of cleaning and repair or if they should be turned in for
salvage as unserviceable,
b. Cleaning: Wash the carrier and the inserts according to the following instructions:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Remove the ballistic inserts from the carrier and mate the hook-and-pile fasteners of the carrier for
washing. Wash the carrier and the inserts separately. Wash the inserts as seldom as possible.
DO NOT STARCH THE CARRIER OR THE INSERTS.
DO NOT BLEACH OR DRY CLEAN THE INSERTS.
HAND WASH THE CARRIER AND THE INSERTS IN WARM TO HOT WATER AND MILD DETER-
GENT. RINSE PER INSTRUCTION NO. 7 AND DRY IN ANY CONVENTIONAL MANNER or follow the
procedures in No. 5 below.
Field Laundry Procedure: Wash the inserts and the carrier according to Laundry Wash Formula “l” of
FM 10-280, Field Laundry, Bath and Clothing Exchange Operations. Rinse per instruction No. 7,
lightly extract, then tumble dry at 180°F (82°C) maximum.
Rinse thoroughly in clear warm water after laundering, Remove all soaps, alkalis and detergent or the
vest will lose its ballistic or flame resistance. If the vest has accidentally been starched, its ballistic and
flame resistance can be restored by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. If the inserts have been
accidentally bleached, TURN THEM IN for replacement.
Inspect the carrier and the inserts after washing to insure that there are no open seams, tears, or
holes and that components operate satisfactorily.
18-3
