Scopes of SSPC Surface Preparation Standards and Specifications

SSPC-SP COM, Surface Preparation Commentary for Steel and Concrete Substrates

November 1, 2004

This Surface Preparation Commentary is intended to be an aid in selecting the proper surface preparation method, materials, and specification for steel, other metals, and concrete. This Commentary is not part of any actual standard, but is included to provide a better understanding of the SSPC Surface Preparation (SP) and Abrasive (AB) standards, and other surface preparation documents

SSPC-SP COM is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

SSPC-SP 1, Solvent Cleaning

November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

This specification covers the requirements for the solvent cleaning of steel surfaces.

Solvent cleaning is a method for removing all visible oil, grease, soil, drawing and cutting compounds, and other soluble contaminants from steel surfaces.

It is intended that solvent cleaning be used prior to the application of paint, and in conjunction with surface preparation methods specified for the removal of rust, mill scale, or paint.

SSPC-SP 1 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

SSPC-SP 2, Hand Tool Cleaning

November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

This standard covers the requirements for hand tool cleaning steel surfaces.

Hand tool cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces by the use of non-power hand tools.

Hand tool cleaning removes all loose mill scale, loose rust, loose paint, and other loose detrimental foreign matter. It is not intended that adherent mill scale, rust, and paint be removed by this process. Mill scale, rust, and paint are considered adherent if they cannot be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife.

SSPC-SP 2 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

Photographs depicting SP 2 surfaces can be found in the recently revised and expanded SSPC-VIS 3, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Hand and Power Tool Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 3, Power Tool Cleaning

November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

This specification covers the requirements for power tool cleaning of steel surfaces.

Power tool cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces by the use of power assisted hand tools.

Power tool cleaning removes all loose mill scale, loose rust, loose paint, and other loose detrimental foreign matter. It is not intended that adherent mill scale, rust, and paint be removed by this process. Mill scale, rust, and paint are considered adherent if they cannot be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife.

SSPC-SP 3 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

Photographs depicting SP 3 surfaces can be found in the recently revised and expanded SSPC-VIS 3, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Hand and Power Tool Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 5/NACE No. 1, White Metal Blast Cleaning

January 1, 2007

This joint standard covers the requirements for white metal blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condition of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

A white metal blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, corrosion products, and other foreign matter.

SSPC-SP 5 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store.

Photographs depicting SP 5 surfaces can be found in SSPC-VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 6/NACE No. 3, Commercial Blast Cleaning

January 1, 2007

This joint standard covers the requirements for commercial blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condition of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

A commercial blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, corrosion products, and other foreign matter.

Random staining shall be limited to no more than 33 percent of each unit area of surface (approximately 5,800 mm² [9.0 in.²] (i.e., a square 76 mm x 76 mm [3.0 in. x 3.0 in.]) and may consist of light shadows, slight streaks, or minor discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, or stains of previously applied coating.

SSPC-SP 6 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store.

Photographs depicting SP 6 surfaces can be found in SSPC-VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning, and in SSPC-VIS 5/NACE VIS 9, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Wet Abrasive Blast Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 7/NACE No. 4, Brush-Off Blast Cleaning

January 1, 2007

This joint standard covers the requirements for commercial blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condition of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

A brush-off blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, loose mill scale, loose rust, and loose coating. Tightly adherent mill scale, rust, and coating may remain on the surface. Mill scale, rust, and coating are considered tightly adherent if they cannot be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife after abrasive blast cleaning has been performed.

SSPC-SP 7 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store.

Photographs depicting SP 7 surfaces can be found in SSPC-VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 8, Pickling

November 1, 1982
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000

This specification covers the requirements for the pickling of steel surfaces.

Pickling is a method of preparing steel surfaces by chemical reaction, electrolysis, or both. The surfaces when viewed without magnification shall be free of all visible mill scale and rust.

SSPC-SP 8 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2, Near-White Blast Cleaning

January 1, 2007

This joint standard covers the requirements for commercial blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condition of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

A near-white metal blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, corrosion products, and other foreign matter.

Random staining shall be limited to no more than 5 percent of each unit area of surface (approximately 5,800 mm² [9.0 in.²] (i.e., a square 76 mm x 76 mm [3.0 in. x 3.0 in.]), and may consist of light shadows, slight streaks, or minor discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, or stains of previously applied coating.

SSPC-SP 10 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store.

Photographs depicting SP 10 surfaces can be found in SSPC-VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning, and in SSPC-VIS 5/NACE VIS 9, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Wet Abrasive Blast Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 11, Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal

November 1, 1987
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

This standard covers the requirements for power tool cleaning to produce a bare metal surface and to retain or produce a minimum 25 micrometer (1.0 mil) surface profile.

This standard is suitable where a roughened, clean, bare metal surface is required, but where abrasive blasting is not feasible or permissible.

This standard differs from SSPC-SP 3, Power Tool Cleaning, in that SSPC-SP 3 requires only the removal of loosely adherent materials, and does not require producing or retaining a surface profile.

This standard differs from SSPC-SP 15, Commercial Grade Power Tool Cleaning, in that SSPC-SP 15 allows stains of rust, paint, or mill scale to remain on the surface. SSPC-SP 11 only allows materials to remain at the bottom of pits.

SSPC-SP 11 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

Photographs depicting SP 11 surfaces can be found in the recently revised and expanded SSPC-VIS 3, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Hand and Power Tool Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5, Surface Preparation and Cleaning of Metals by Waterjetting Prior to Recoating

Revised July 2002

This standard describes the use of waterjetting to achieve a defined degree of cleaning of surfaces prior to the application of a protective coating or lining system. These requirements include the end condition of the surface plus materials and procedures necessary to verify the end condition. This standard is limited in scope to the use of water only.

This standard is written primarily for applications in which the substrate is carbon steel. However, waterjetting can be used on nonferrous substrates such as bronze, aluminum, and other metals such as stainless steel. This standard does not address the cleaning of concrete. Cleaning of concrete is discussed in SSPC SP-13/NACE No. 6.

SSPC-SP 12 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

Photographs depicting conditions defined by SP 12 can be found in SSPC-VIS 4/NACE VIS 7, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Waterjetting.

SSPC-SP 13/NACE No. 6, Surface Preparation of Concrete

Approved 1997
Reaffirmed March 17, 2003

This standard gives requirements for surface preparation of concrete by mechanical, chemical, or thermal methods prior to the application of bonded protective coating or lining systems.

The requirements of this standard are applicable to all types of cementitious surfaces including cast-in-place concrete floors and walls, precast slabs, masonry walls, and shotcrete surfaces.

An acceptable prepared concrete surface should be free of contaminants, laitance, loosely adhering concrete, and dust, and should provide a sound, uniform substrate suitable for the application of protective coating or lining systems.

When required, a minimum concrete surface strength, maximum surface moisture content, and surface profile range should be specified in the procurement documents (project specifications).

SSPC-SP 13 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

SSPC-SP 14/NACE No. 8, Industrial Blast Cleaning

January 1, 2007

This joint standard covers the requirements for industrial blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condition of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

An industrial blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dust, and dirt. Traces of tightly adherent mill scale, rust, and coating residues are permitted to remain on 10 percent of each unit area of the surface (approximately 5,800 mm² [9.0 in.²]) (i.e., a square 76 mm x 76 mm [3.0 in. x 3.0 in.]) if they are evenly distributed.

The traces of mill scale, rust, and coating are considered to be tightly adherent if they cannot be lifted with a dull putty knife. Shadows, streaks, and discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, and stains of previously applied coating may be present on the remainder of the surface.

SSPC-SP 14 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store.

Photographs depicting SP 14 surfaces can be found in SSPC-VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning.

SSPC-SP 15, Commercial Grade Power Tool Cleaning

May 1, 2002
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

This standard covers the requirements for power tool cleaning to provide a commercial grade power tool cleaned steel surface, and to retain or produce a minimum 25 micrometer (1.0 mil) surface profile.

A commercial grade power tool cleaned steel surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, rust, coating, oxides, mill scale, corrosion products, and other foreign matter, except as noted.

Random staining shall be limited to no more than 33 percent of each unit area of surface as defined. Staining may consist of light shadows, slight streaks, or minor discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, or stains of previously applied coating. Slight residues of rust and paint may also be left in the bottoms of pits if the original surface is pitted.

This standard differs from SSPC-SP 3, Power Tool Cleaning, in that a higher degree of surface cleanliness is required, and a minimum surface profile of 25 micrometers (1.0 mil) will be retained or produced.

This standard differs from SSPC-SP 11, Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal, in that stains of rust, paint, or mill scale may remain on the surface.

SSPC-SP 15 is one of the complete collection of SSPC standards, guides, and specifications that members can access through the new SSPC Members Only Download Area. Nonmembers can purchase PDF copies through SSPC Online Standards Store. It can also be found in the latest edition of Systems and Specifications, SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, available through the SSPC Online Bookstore.

Photographs depicting SP 15 surfaces can be found in the recently revised and expanded SSPC-VIS 3, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Hand and Power Tool Cleaning.