Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Fundamentals of Surface Preparation

• Understand the importance of surface preparation in coating durability.
• Identify different types of surfaces requiring coating (metal, concrete, wood, composites).
• Learn about surface contaminants (rust, oil, scale, grease, old coatings) and their effects on adhesion.

2. Surface Preparation Methods

• Apply manual cleaning techniques (hand tool and power tool cleaning, scraping, wire brushing, sanding).
• Use abrasive blasting techniques (sandblasting, shot blasting, grit blasting, wet abrasive blasting).
• Understand chemical cleaning methods (solvents, acid etching, alkaline cleaning, pickling, passivation).
• Learn water jetting and high-pressure washing techniques for preparation.

3. Industry Standards for Surface Preparation

• Comply with international coating standards:
• SSPC (Society for Protective Coatings).
• NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers).
• ISO 8501 (Surface Preparation Standards for Steel).
• ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• Interpret surface cleanliness levels and roughness requirements.

4. Surface Profile and Coating Adhesion

• Measure surface roughness and anchor profiles for coating adhesion.
• Understand the impact of improper surface preparation on coating performance.
• Use profiling techniques such as replica tape, stylus profilometry, and visual comparators.

5. Coating Selection and Compatibility with Prepared Surfaces

• Match coating types (epoxy, polyurethane, zinc-rich, alkyd, thermal spray coatings) with the right surface preparation method.
• Recognize substrate-specific preparation requirements (steel, aluminum, concrete, wood, plastic, composites).

6. Safety Considerations in Surface Preparation

• Follow PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements for blasting and chemical cleaning.
• Mitigate health hazards related to dust, fumes, solvents, and lead-based coatings.
• Implement environmental controls for abrasive blasting and chemical use.

7. Inspection and Quality Control in Surface Preparation

• Conduct visual inspections using SSPC and ISO cleanliness scales.
• Use coating adhesion testing methods (pull-off adhesion, cross-cut adhesion tests).
• Implement moisture detection, salt contamination tests, and dust assessments before coating.

8. Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Analyze real-world coating failures due to poor surface preparation.
• Participate in hands-on surface preparation exercises using different methods.
• Develop a customized surface preparation procedure for specific coating applications.

Target Audience

• Painting and coating inspectors
• Industrial maintenance professionals
• Engineers and project managers in construction, oil & gas, and marine industries
• Quality control and corrosion protection specialists
• Safety and environmental officers