SUMMARY OF SURFACE PREPARATION
STEEL
Steel should be cleaned by one or more of the following surface preparation methods described. These methods were originally established by the Society for Protective Coatings (formerly the Steel Structures Painting Council).
SP1: SSPC-SP 1 SOLVENT CLEANING
Solvent cleaning is used primarily to remove oil, grease, dirt, soil, drawing compounds and other similar organic compounds.

SP2: SSPC-SP 2 HAND TOOL CLEANING
A surface prepared with hand tools requires that all loose mill scale, loose rust, loose paint and other loose foreign material be removed. It is not intended to remove adherent mill scale, rust and paint. Material is considered to be adherent if they can not be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife.

SP3: SSPC-SP 3 POWER TOOL CLEANING
A surface prepared with power tools requires that all loose mill scale, loose rust, loose paint and other loose foreign material be removed. It is not intended to remove adherent mill scale, rust and paint or to produce a surface profile. Material is considered to be adherent if they can not be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife. Types of power tools used are generally impact or rotary power tools.

SP5: SSPC-SP 5 WHITE METAL BLAST CLEANING
Removal of all visible rust, mill scale, paint, and foreign matter by blast cleaning by wheel of nozzle (dry or wet) using sand, grit, or shot.

SP6: SSPC-SP 6 COMMERCIAL BLAST CLEANING
A surface prepared according to SSPC-SP-6-85 requires that the surface, when viewed, be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill scale, rust, paint, oxides, corrosion products and other foreign matter. Light staining due to rust, mill scale, and previous coatings may remain on no more than 33% of each square inch of surface area. The profile produced by blasting should be controlled by the selection of blast media and should not exceed the filling capacity of the primer to be applied.

 SP7: SSPC-SP 7 BRUSH-OFF BLAST CLEANING
A surface prepared according to SSPC-SP-7-85 requires that the surface, when viewed, be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, loose rust, loose mill scale, and loose coatings. It is not intended to remove tightly bonded mill scale, sound rust or adherent coatings. A Brush-off Blast may also be used to abrade a previous coating, providing a surface profile for new coating application.

SP8: SSPC-SP 8 PICKLING
Complete removal of rust and mill scale by acid pickling, duplex pickling, or electrolytic pickling.

SP10: SSPC-SP 10 NEAR-WHITE BLAST CLEANING
A surface prepared according to SSPC-SP-10-85 requires that the surface, when viewed, be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill scale, rust, paint, oxides, corrosion products and other foreign matter. Light staining due to rust, mill scale, and previous coatings may remain on no more than 5% of each square inch of surface area.

SP11: SSPC-SP-11 POWER TOOL CLEANING TO BARE METAL
Power Tool Cleaning to bare metal may be used to prepare the surface. The prepared surface will be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, rust, paint, and other foreign matter. Residues of rust and paint may be left in the pits of the surface. This method may be used to produce a surface profile in small areas. Surface cleaning power tools are generally impact or profile producing power tools.

GALVANIZED SURFACES
Galvanized metal is iron or steel with a 2 - 3 mil (DFT) coating of zinc metal. This process which is called Hot Dip Galvanizing is done at the fabrication mill. Galvanized steel normally comes from the mill chemically treated, or passivated, to prevent white rusting or oxidation of the galvanized surface during the time it is being stored or shipped to the project site.
PREPARING GALVANIZED METAL
The only two ways to prepare a passivated galvanized steel surface for painting is to thoroughly scrub with a phosphoric acid solution and thoroughly rinse with		 clean water or you can abrasive brush blast the new galvanized metal surface removing the treatment. Always apply a test patch of the coating to the galvanized surface to be painted to determine if you are getting proper adhesion.
CONCRETE SURFACES
Scrape all loose, peeling and cracked paint off surfaces. Remove any paint that is not tightly adhering. Feather all edges of remaining paint film.
PREPARING A CONCRETE SLAB
Test for Curing Compound by applying a muriatic acid solution to bare concrete. If the solution does not react (bubble vigorously) when in contact with the concrete, the presence of a curing compound is indicated.
Test for Grease by pouring a small amount of water on the floor. If it beads up, oil and/or grease is present.
Test for Moisture by taping a 2'x 2' plastic sheet over different areas of the floor. Examine the plastic after 24 hours for signs of moisture.
Test Adhesion of Previous Coatings by cutting 2" x 2" “X” cross-hatches into remaining coatings. Then apply 6" stripes of duct tape over the “X's” and press the duct tape firmly onto the floor and then quickly pull it off. Examine the tape for removal of coatings.		 DEGREASE A CONCRETE FLOOR by dampening the concrete surface and then applying a suitable cleaner/degreaser. Allow to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the surface wet by adding water while scrubbing the solution over the entire floor. Rinse floor thoroughly.
PREPARING A CONCRETE FLOOR BY ACID ETCHING
Apply a 1:1 solution of muriatic acid and water through a sprinkling device. The acid should bubble vigorously when applied to the concrete. Allow reaction between solution and concrete to occur for approximately 3-5 minutes, then follow with a stiff broom or mechanical scrubber to remove surface laitance. Rinse the etched surface with clean water, preferably with a high pressure washer.
PREPARING A CONCRETE FLOOR BY SHOT BLASTING
Shot blast to produce a 3 - 4 mil profile on the concrete floor. The shot blasting machine must be equipped with a vacuum system to recover shot and to reduce airborne dust and contaminants.
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