This guide is intended as a reference for those concerned with the inspection of thin- or thick-film coating application to concrete and masonry substrates. It does not cover the application of cement-type coatings. A checklist is included as Appendix X1.1. Many of the details covered may be in a specification for a particular project. A specification for coating projects should include the coatings to be used.

1.1 This guide is intended as an information aid to painting inspectors in carrying out the task efficiently. It includes the key elements of surface preparation, coatings application, and final approval for both field and shop work. The items should be selected that are pertinent to a particular job.

Note 1—For additional helpful information, refer to the following documents:

Manual of Concrete Practice ACI 515R American Concrete Institute

Manual of Coating Work for Light Water Nuclear Power Plant Primary Containment and Other Safety Related Facilities

C 811 Practice for Surface Preparation of Concrete for Application of Chemical-Resistant Resin Monolithic Surfacings

SSPC-PA Guide 3 - A Guide to Safety in Paint Application

Steel Structures Painting Manual Vol. 1- Good Painting Practices

Steel Structures Painting Manual Vol. 2 - Systems and Specifications

Manufacturers Specifications and Instructions (made available to the inspector for reference to special requirements for proper application)

Material Safety Data Sheets (needed to insure that personnel take necessary precautions in handling hazardous materials). Available from Materials manufacturer.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whomever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This guide is arranged in the following order:

		Section
Referenced Documents		2
	ASTM Standards	2.1
	OSHA Standards	2.2
	ICRI Standards	2.3
	SSPC Standards	2.4
Significance and Use		3
Preparation for Inspection		4
Surface Preparation Methods and Requirements		5
	Surface Preparation	5.1
	Factors Affecting Coating Performance	5.2
	Surface Condition	5.2.1
	Cleanliness	5.2.2
	Moisture	5.2.3
	Surface Preparation Procedures	5.3
	Dry Surface Cleaning	5.3.1
	Water and Steam Cleaning	5.3.2
	Mechanical Tool Cleaning	5.3.3
	Hand Tool Cleaning	5.3.3.1
	Power Tool Cleaning	5.3.3.2
	Scarifying Machines	5.3.3.3
	Pre- and Post-Surface Preparation	5.3.3.4
	Finished Surface	5.3.3.5
	Blast Cleaning	5.3.4
	Water Blast Cleaning	5.3.5
	Acid Etching	5.3.6
Precautions in Preparing Unpainted and
	Previously Painted Surfaces	5.4
Inspection of Surfaces Prior to Field Painting		5.5
	New Construction	5.5.1
	Maintenance Repainting	5.5.2
Cracks and Voids		6
	Cracks	6.1
	Cracks in Concrete	6.1.1
	Joints in Concrete	6.1.2
	Voids	6.2
	Recoat Intervals	6.3
Coating Storage and Handling		7
	Storage of Coating and Thinner	7.1
	Mixing of Coatings	7.2
	Thinning	7.3
	Initial Samples	7.3.1
	Thinning of Coating	7.3.2
	Sampling of Thinned Coating	7.3.3
	Heating of Coating	7.4
Weather Considerations		8
	Drying	8.1
	Low Temperature	8.2
	High Temperature	8.3
	Moisture	8.4
	Wind	8.5
Coating Application		9
	Residual Contaminants	9.1
	Quality Assurance	9.2
	Film Defects	9.2.1
	Brush Application	9.3
	Spray Application	9.4
	Roller Application	9.5
	Miscellaneous Methods	9.6
	Rate of Application	9.7
	Additional Considerations	10
	Ventilation	10.1
	Painting Schedule	10.2
	Film Integrity	10.3
	Recoat Time	10.4
	Coating System Failure	10.5
Inspection Equipment		11
	General	11.1
	Adhesion of Existing Coating	11.1.1
	Portable Pull-Off Adhesion	11.1.2
	Field Inspection Equipment	11.2
	Drying and Curing Times	11.2.1
	Thermometers	11.2.1.1
	Relative Humidity and Dew Point	11.2.1.2
	Viscosity Cups	11.2.2
	Wet-Film Thickness Gages	11.2.4
	Interchemical Gage	11.2.4.1
	Notched Gage	11.2.4.2
	Dry-Film Thickness Gages	11.2.5
	Destructive Thickness Gage	11.2.5.1
	Nondestructive Film Thickness Gages	11.2.5.2
	Discontinuity (Holiday) Tester	11.3
Inspection Checklist		Appendix X1