Surface preparation is frequently considered a key factor in determining the long-term performance of a protective coating system. The two-fold purpose of surface preparation is to clean and roughen the surface.
Instruments that are used to verify quality must be calibrated and verified for accuracy, when feasible. Instrumentation is calibrated by the equipment manufacturer or an accredited calibration laboratory, while the instrument user is responsible for verifying accuracy.
Prediction of service life for naturally exposed coatings remains problematic. A number of factors can have an effect on coating performance, but none more so than surface preparation, the primary factor that influences how long a coating will last in service. A method of surface preparation must be selected based on coating type, the intended …
The Effect of Surface Preparation on Coating Performance Read More »
As seen in the Fall Edition of PaintSquare Press News The Surface Preparation Hand Tool Cleaning Standard (SSPC-SP 2) was first published as a temporary specification in August 1952 (SSPC-SP 2-52T), only two years after the Steel Structures Painting Council was founded (1950). The standard was developed primarily for maintenance of existing coating systems when …
Brushed Off: Latest Contractor Tools for Performing Hand Tool Cleaning Read More »
Most of the SSPC surface preparation standards focus on the preparation of steel, either by abrasive blast cleaning (dry and wet), power tool cleaning, or water jetting. Recognizing that galvanizing, non-ferrous metals and various types of stainless steel also need to be prepared for painting, SSPC published a standard for brush-off blast cleaning these metals …
Introduction Over 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle discovered (or uncovered) the fact that our world wasn’t flat. While the earth itself is round, the topography of what is on this earth is neither flat nor round, but rather highly variable, with hills, valleys, mountains and plains. Similarly, our industrial infrastructure is far from …
Bare galvanizing provides excellent corrosion protection at a pH between 7 and 13, but corrosion of the zinc increases as the pH becomes more acidic (less than 7), or more alkaline (greater than 13). When galvanizing is exposed to the lower or higher pH ranges, it should be painted. Paint should also be applied when …
Preparing Hot Dip Galvanizing for Painting – It’s not Overly Complicated Read More »
Introduction Coating specifications and contract documents often contain stipulations for the maximum length of time a prepared steel surface can remain uncoated. We’ll refer to this as the “prep-to-prime window.” This brief article highlights common requirements, discusses the purpose of the requirements, presents industry references, questions the variability in the time periods, and explores a …
Chemical contaminants on a surface can include chlorides, ferrous ions, sulfates and nitrates, among other types of soluble salts. Chloride may come from deicing materials or marine/coastal environments, ferrous ions are a by-product of corrosion, sulfates can be airborne, particularly in industrial environments (e.g., coal-fired power plants) and nitrates may come from the soil (e.g., …
Surface Soluble Salt Measurement – Conductivity Verses Ion-specific Methods of Analysis Read More »
Introduction Surface preparation prior to coating installation is generally composed of two goals: achieving the minimum specified surface cleanliness, and achieving the specified range of surface profile (surface roughness). While these goals may be achieved in a single operation (e.g., by abrasive blast cleaning) or two separate operations (e.g., by water jetting or chemical stripping, …