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SSPC-PA Guide 4
November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
PAINT APPLICATION GUIDE NO. 4
Guide to Maintenance Repainting with Oil Base or Alkyd Painting Systems
4. Surface Condition and Preparation
4.1 SURFACE CONDITION: The surface condition of the
previously painted steel substrate should be classied and re-
painted in accordance with the applicable section of Table 1.
It is recognized that in any maintenance painting project,
the structure or equipment to be repainted may have areas
where the condition of the old paint work varies. In these cases
each particular section of the area to be repainted should then
be recoated in accordance with the applicable section of Table 1.
4.2 SURFACE PREPARATION: The SSPC SurfacePrepa-
ration Specications should be followed as in Table 1, or with
the mutual agreement of both owner and contractor, another
set of surface preparation criteria may be established.
5. Paints
5.1 PAINT SYSTEMS: The wash primer (if any), primer,
intermediate, and nish coat should be the same as those
specied in the original paint system. Alternatively, a paint
having the same generic type of vehicle as in the original
painting may be used. Some other compatible paint system
may be used if mutually agreed upon between the owner and
contractor.
5.2 COMPATIBILITYSPOT TEST: If the composition
of the original paint system is unknown, a spot test should be
made to determine the compatibility of the new system with the
old, and should include: assuring the adhesion of the present
system to the substrate; applying proposed painting system;
and observing for adhesion, lifting, bleeding, or other evidence
of incompatibility.
6. Paint Application
6.1 PAINT APPLICATION: Painting should be performed
in accordance with Table 1 and the requirements of SSPC-PA
1, "Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting of Steel."
6.2 TOUCH-UP PAINTING: After cleaning the previously
painted steel surfaces, those areas with bare steel exposed
should be spot primed in accordance with the "Field Painting"
Section of SSPC-PA 1.
1. Scope
1.1 This Guide covers the steps necessary for the repainting
of steel structures previously painted with oil base, alkyd, or
other conventional oleoresinous paint systems with the same
generic paint system as the existing one.
1.2 When special paint systems such as zinc-rich, epoxy,
or urethane are involved, spot tests may be necessary and
the instructions of the manufacturer should be followed.
1.3 The amount of maintenance cleaning and painting is
determined by the need for corrosion protection and appearance
and should be described in the procurement documents.
2. Description
2.1 This Guide outlines the components of a complete
maintenance repainting system. A standard system consists of
surface preparation and repainting according to the guidelines
presented in Table 1.
3. Referenced Standards
3.1 SSPC AND JOINT STANDARDS :
PA 1 Shop, Field, and Maintenance
Painting of Steel
PA 2 Measurement of Dry Coating Thick-
ness with Magnetic Gages
PA Guide 3 A Guide to Safety in Paint Applica-
tion
SP 1 Solvent Cleaning
SP 2 Hand Tool Cleaning
SP 6/NACE No. 3 Commercial Blast Cleaning
VIS 2 Standard Method of Evaluating
Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel
Surfaces
3.2 AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERI-
ALS (ASTM) STANDARDS:
D 610 Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted
Steel Surfaces
D 3359 Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
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SSPC-PA Guide 4
November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
TABLE 1
MAINTENANCE PAINTING OF OIL BASE OR ALKYD PAINTING SYSTEMS
RUST
GRADES*
EXAMPLE OF AREA %
(Generally Dispersed
Rust)
CLEANING AND PAINTING
RECOMMENDED
Solvent clean (SSPC-SP 1) entire repaint
area, and spot prime, if necessary. If required
to maintain lm thickness or continuity, spot
apply nish coat, then apply 1.5-2.0 mils
(36-51 micrometers) of nish coat over entire
repaint area.
10-8
8-6
6-4 Spot clean (minimum SSPC-SP 2, hand
cleaning) entire repaint area, feather edges
and spot prime. If required to maintain lm
thickness or continuity, spot appIy nish coat,
then apply 1.5-2.0 mils (38-51 micrometers)
of nsh coat over entire repaint area.
SEVERELY DETERIORATED
(10 to 50% rust)
Large portion of surface is covered with
rust, pits, nodules, and non-adherent
paint. Pitting is visible.
Spot clean (minimum SSPC-SP 6, com-
mercial blast cleaning) entire repaint area,
feather edges and spot prime. If required
to maintain lm thickness or continuity, spot
apply nish coat, then apply 1.5-2.0 mils
(38-51 micrometers) of nish coat over
entire repaint area.
Spot clean (minimum SSPC-SP 2, hand
tool cleaning) entire repaint area, and spot
prime. If required to maintain minimum lm
thickness or continuity, spot apply nish coat,
then apply 1.5-2.0 mils (38-51 micrometers)
of nish coat over entire repaint area.
TOTALLY DETERIORATED
(over 50% rust)
1-0 Clean (minimum SSPC-SP 6, commercial
blast cleaning) entire repaint area and apply
primer, intermediate, and nish coats over
entire repaint area.
*See SSPC-VIS 2 for pictorial representation of rust classication. Area percents illustrated here are representative only.
PAINT SYSTEM CONDITION
NON-DETERIORATED
(0 to 0.1% rust)
Paint almost intact; some primer may
show, rust covers less than 0.1% of
the surface.
SLIGHTLY TO MODERATELY
DETERIORATED:
(0.1 to 1% rust)
Finished coat somewhat weathered;
primer may show slight staining or
blistering; after stains are wiped off, less
than 1% of area shows rust, blistering,
loose mill scale, or loose paint lm.
DETERIORATED:
(1 to 5% rust)
Paint thoroughly weathered, blistered,
or stained, up to 10% of surface is
covered with rust, rust blisters, hard
scale or loose paint lm, very little pit-
ting visible.
4-1
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SSPC-PA Guide 4
November 1, 1982
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
6.3 DRY FILM THICKNESS OF PAINT SYSTEM: Not
less than the following as measured in accordance with SSPC
PA 2, "Measurement of Dry Paint Thickness with Magnetic
Gages"the total dry lm thickness at any point should not be
less than 5.5 mils (140 micrometers). This means that areas of
cleaned bare steel will require 1.5-2.0 mils (38-51 micrometers)
of primer, 1.5-2.0 mils (38-51 micrometers) of intermediate
coat, and 1.5-2.0 mils (38-51 micrometers) of nish coat.
7. Disclaimer
7.1 This guide is designed to describe, review, or analyze
new or improved technology and does not meet the denition
of a standard as dened by SSPC. A guide differs from a stan-
dard in that it is not suitable for referencing in aspecication
or procurement document.
7.2 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all infor-
mation furnished in SSPC guides is as accurate, complete,
and useful as possible, SSPC cannot assume responsibility
nor incur any obligation resulting from the use of any materials,
coatings, or methods described herein, or of the guide itself.
7.3 This guide does not attempt to address problems
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
guide, as well as the user of all products or practices described
herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate health and safety
practices and for ensuring compliance with all governmental
regulations.
8. Notes
8.1 INSPECTION AND REPAIR: It is most desirable to
maintain paint systems by a scheduled inspection and repair
procedure. In this manner, the life of the coating is prolonged
through preventive maintenance which includes spot cleaning
and spot painting when necessary. Although it is impossible to
set down specic rules that should govern the repainting inter-
vals or time, Table 1 is a summation of current good practice.
Since the deterioration of paint is not uniform over an entire
structure, the engineer in charge must use his own discretion
in the application of such standard practices.
8.2 MAINTENANCE PAINTING: In maintenance painting
it is not ordinarily intended that sound, adherent old paint be
removed unless it is excessively thick or brittle or is incompatible
with the new paint. It is essential, however, that the removal of
deteriorated paint be carried back around the edges of the spot
or area until an area of completely intact and adherent paint
lm, with no rust or blisters underneath, is attained. Testing
should be in accordance with ASTM D 3359. Edges of tightly
adhered paint remaining around the area to be recoated must
be feathered, so that the repainted surface will have a smooth
appearance.
8.3 PREFERRED REPAINTING PROCEDURE: The pre-
ferred repainting procedure is to spot clean only the deteriorated
areas and apply a coat of rust inhibitive primer followed by an
intermediate coat to build those areas back to a satisfactory
level. Then apply an overall nish coat to the entire structure
or repainted area.