scope:

This standard establishes and updates general finish codes and serves as a general guide to the selection of suitable materials, procedures, and systems for cleaning, plating, painting and the otherwise finishing of metal and wood surfaces.

Unless otherwise specified the responsibility for selecting the cleaning method, surface treatment, metal coating, paint system or other finish shall rest with the activity responsible for the end item. The finishing system should be selected from those listed in this document and shall be referenced on drawings, contracts, and item specifications. Finish numbers should be preceded by the word "finish" to avoid possible confusion with paragraph numbers, for example, "finish 5.1.1 plus 20.4". This does not preclude the acceptance of a proven commercial finish selected by the manufacturer, supplier, or contractor and concurred in by the procuring activity. Additional information relative to protective finishes and their selection may be found in MIL-HDBK-132 and the Appendix of this document.

In the event of conflict between the requirement of this standard and those of specifications or drawings, the requirements of drawings shall have first preference, those of specifications next, and those of this standard last.