Definition 1 of 2
Definition
A spray-painting technique in which a second coat is applied at right angles to the first, so the spray pattern of the second pass crosses the pattern of the first. This produces uniform film thickness and full coverage, eliminating thin or missed areas left by single-direction spraying.
Plain English
Spraying paint in one direction, then spraying a second layer across that first layer at a 90-degree angle, so the two passes overlap evenly and cover the surface fully.
Context Anchor
Used in aircraft painting, priming, and refinishing work when applying coatings to aircraft surfaces.
Derivation
‘Cross’ here means ‘at right angles to,’ and ‘coat’ means a layer of paint or finish. The term simply describes the geometry of the spray passes — they cross each other.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft finishes do more than look good — they protect against corrosion and UV damage. A poorly applied coat with thin spots leaves the surface vulnerable. Cross coating is the standard method for ensuring even protection.
Analogy
It is like coloring an area first with side-to-side strokes, then with up-and-down strokes so the whole area fills in evenly.
Intuition Check
Do not read “cross coat” as a special type of paint. It means a way of applying the coating: one direction first, then across that direction.
Example Sentence 1
The technician applied the topcoat as a cross coat, spraying the second pass perpendicular to the first to ensure even coverage.
Example Sentence 2
After the horizontal pass dried, she followed with a vertical cross coat on the control surfaces.