Blastline Institute

of
Surface Preparation &
Painting

INSPECTION
The higher the demands to protection are, the more advanced will the
Coating system and painting specification be. This, in turn, increases
the demands to the execution of the work - consequently to the degree
of quality control/ painting inspection
Level of Inspection
Three levels of inspection are cognized. British standard, BS 5493:1977,
defines them as follows :1.

Full:- All operations observed by an inspector and passed

as complying with the specification before the next stage is
started. ( for Larger projects, this may require a team of inspectors.

2.

Intermittent :Part of all operations observed by an inspector and passed

as complying with the specification before the next stage is started. .

3.

Occasional :All operations observed initially by an inspector for setting

standards of workmanship. Ad hoc visits by an inspector thereafter.

Duties of the inspector :The duties of the paint coating inspector may be very briefly given as:-

Spotting causes for possible later defects.

Ensure that said causes are removed, or the defects corrected

The multitude of tasks belonging to paint coatings inspection may be conveniently

divided according to the progress of work. Five distinct phases some of them recurrent
require the inspectors attention.
1.

Before surface preparation

Before the start of any surface preparation it would be advantageous to examine, at least
the surface to be treated, preparation equipment, and possibly also structural details.
Surface condition (steel) Important Check points :Rust grades (eg. A,B,C or D according to SIS 05 59 00: 1967
Laminations or inclusions
Presence of water, Oil, Grease, Soluble salts, soot or other contaminants not
removed by mechanical cleaning.
Sharp or rough edges.
Rough or porous welds, weld spatter, arc strikes, excessive weld fumes (usually greasy
etc.)

During Surface Preparation :While surface preparation is in progress, relevant equipment checks are made at
regular intervals.
Cleanness and
Profile/ Anchor pattern
are monitored to the extent this is possible.
Before paint application :main areas, on which the inspector should focus his attention before any paint is applied, would
include the storage, mixing and issue of paints, working conditions and application equipment,
surface condition and the microclimate.
During paint application : During the application of paints, most of the checkpoints from foregoing phase remain valid.
in addition :
wet film thicknesses and
workmanship
are monitored to the extent possible.
After paint application:Always checked, after application of the final coat of paint are
General appearance and
Total dry film thickness applied
Checks may, in some cases and for particular jobs, be made on:
Continuity ( free from pinholes)
Adhesion / Cohesion
Smoothness ( this is sometimes desired on the
underwater hull of the ships

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

Elcometer 125

ISO Surface Comparator

Shot & Grit

Visual Assessment

Tactile Assessment
(

touch )

Comparators, for determining surface roughness and profile

(anchor pattern)

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

Elcometer 122/124

Testex Tape & Dial Gauge

Different courses available

Replica of the profile

Measure total thickness
Subtract 50 microns (thickness of

hard plastic window)

e.g. 125 micron total thickness = 75
micron peak-to-valley height

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

Elcometer 127

Keane-Tator Surface Profile Comparator

Shot, Grit and Sand

Rugotest

Elcometer 129
Rubert Surface Comparator
Shot
Grit

Rugotest Surface

Comparator

Dual

Rubert

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

Elcometer 123

Surface Profile Gauge

Take average of several readings
Zero on Glass

Elcometer 224
Surface Profile Gauge

Take average of several readings

Built in memory & averaging facility
Digital Output
Digital display with data summary
Batch collection

INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
SALT DETECTION EQUIPMENT

Soluble Salts - The Problem

Salt Detection Methods
Salt Detection in Abrasives & Water

Bresle Patch (Elcometer 135/B)

Apply patch
Insert 3 ml of distilled water
Pump liquid to release salts
Extract solution
Test solution with conductivity meter
Available as a kit

Elcometer 130
(SCM400)

Wet filter paper with 1.6 ml water

Place paper on test site / surface for 2 min.
Place paper on electrode & close lid
Display shows salt level in g/cm

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