ASTM D6237-98

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 6237 – 98
Standard Guide for
Painting Inspectors (Concrete and Masonry Substrates)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6237; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
Surface Preparation Methods and Requirements 5
Surface Preparation 5.1
1.1 This guide is intended as an information aid to painting
Factors Affecting Coating Performance 5.2
inspectors in carrying out the task efficiently. It includes the
Surface Condition 5.2.1
Cleanliness 5.2.2
key elements of surface preparation, coatings application, and
Moisture 5.2.3
final approval for both field and shop work. The items should
Cleaning Procedures 5.3
be selected that are pertinent to a particular job. Surface Cleaning 5.3.1
Water and Steam Cleaning 5.3.2
NOTE 1—For additional helpful information, refer to the following
Mechanical Tool Cleaning 5.3.3
documents: Hand Tool Cleaning 5.3.3.1
Power Tool Cleaning 5.3.3.2
Manual of Concrete Practice ACI 515R American Concrete Institute
Scarifying Machines 5.3.3.3
Manual of Coating Work for Light Water Nuclear Power Plant Primary
Pre- and Post-Surface Preparation 5.3.3.4
Containment and Other Safety Related Facilities
Finished Surface 5.3.3.5
C 811 Practice for Surface Preparation of Concrete for Application of
Blast Cleaning 5.3.4
Chemical-Resistant Resin Monolithic Surfacings
Water Blast Cleaning 5.3.5
SSPC-PA Guide 3 - A Guide to Safety in Paint Application Acid Etching 5.3.6
Precautions in Preparing Unpainted and
Steel Structures Painting Manual Vol. 1- Good Painting Practices
5 Previously Painted Surfaces 5.4
Steel Structures Painting Manual Vol. 2 - Systems and Specifications
Inspection of Surfaces Prior to Field Painting 5.5
Manufacturers Specifications and Instructions (made available to the
New Construction 5.5.1
inspector for reference to special requirements for proper application)
Maintenance Repainting 5.5.2
Material Safety Data Sheets (needed to insure that personnel take
Cracks and Voids 6
necessary precautions in handling hazardous materials) Available from Cracks 6.1
Cracks in Concrete 6.1.1
Materials manufacturer.
Joints in Concrete 6.1.2
1.2 The values stand in inch-pound units are to be regarded Voids 6.2
Recoat Intervals 6.3
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
Coating Storage and Handling 7
information only.
Storage of Coating and Thinner 7.1
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Mixing of Coatings 7.2
Thinning 7.3
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Initial Samples 7.3.1
responsibility of whomever uses this standard to consult and
Thinning of Coating 7.3.2
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter- Sampling of Thinned Coating 7.3.3
Heating of Coating 7.4
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Weather Considerations 8
1.4 This guide is arranged in the following order:
Drying 8.1
Low Temperature 8.2
Section
High Temperature 8.3
Referenced Documents 2
Moisture 8.4
ASTM Standards 2.1
Wind 8.5
NACE Standards 2.2
Coating Application 9
OSHA Standards 2.3
Residual Contaminants 9.1
Steel Structures Painting Council Standards 2.4
Significance and Use 3 Quality Assurance 9.2
Film Defects 9.2.1
Preparation for Inspection 4
Brush Application 9.3
Spray Application 9.4
Roller Application 9.5
Miscellaneous Methods 9.6
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint and Rate of Application 9.7
Additional Considerations 10
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Ventilation 10.1
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
Painting Schedule 10.2
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published May 1998.
Film Integrity 10.3
American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 19150, Detroit, MI 48219.
Recoat Time 10.4
ASTM, 1979.
4 Coating System Failure 10.5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
5 Inspection Equipment 11
Steel Structures Painting Council, 40 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D6237–98
29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication
General 11.1
Adhesion of Existing Coating 11.1.1
2.3 Steel Structures Painting Council Standards:
Portable Pull-Off Adhesion 11.1.2
SSPC-SP7 Brush-off Blast Cleaning
Field Inspection Equipment 11.2
SSPC-PA1 Paint Application Specifications
Drying and Curing Times 11.2.1
Thermometers 11.2.1.1
SSPC-Guide 6 (CON) Guide for Containing Debris Gener-
Relative Humidity and Dew Point 11.2.1.2
ated During Paint Removal Operations
Coating Consistency 11.2.2
Consistency Cups 11.2.2.1 SSPC-Guide 7 (DIS) Guide for the Disposal of Lead-
Weight-per-Gallon Cup 11.2.3
Contaminated Surface Preparation Debris
Wet-Film Thickness Gages 11.2.4
SSPC12/NACE5 Surface Preparation and Cleaning of Steel
Interchemical Gage 11.2.4.1
and Other Hard Materials by High- and Ultrahigh-
Notched Gage 11.2.4.2
Dry-Film Thickness Gages 11.2.5
Pressure Water Jetting Prior to Recoating
Tooke Gage 11.2.5.1
Nondestructive Film Thickness Gages 11.2.5.2
3. Significance and Use
Discontinuity (Holiday) Tester 11.3
Inspection Checklist Appendix
3.1 This guide is intended as a reference for those concerned
with the inspection of thin- or thick-film coating application to
2. Referenced Documents
concrete and masonry substrates. It does not cover the appli-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cation of cement-type coatings. A checklist is included as
C 811 Practice for Surface Preparation of Concrete for
Appendix X1.1. Many of the details covered may be in a
Application of Chemical-Resistant Resin Monolithic Sur-
specification for a particular project. A specification for coating
facings
projects should include the coatings to be used.
D 1186 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of
Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
4. Preparation for Inspection
a Ferrous Base
4.1 The guide describes the duties of the inspector and
D 1212 Test Methods for Measurement of Wet Thickness of
discusses inspection methods, both visual and instrumental,
Organic Coatings
that can be used to determine that the specification require-
D 1400 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of
ments have been met by the painting contractor.
Dry Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to
4.2 Before the start of the job, the inspector should be
a Nonferrous Metal Base
provided information by the project engineer from the official
D 1475 Test Method for Density of Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
plans and specifications as to surface preparation requirements,
and Related Products
coating type, thinner to be used, mixing ratios to be used,
D 4138 Test Method for Measurement of Dry Film Thick-
recommended application thickness, recommended primer, tie
ness of Protective Coating Systems by Destructive Means
coat, topcoat, time between coats, method of application,
D 4212 Test Method for Viscosity by Dip-Type Viscosity
ambient condition restrictions, and any special precautions to
Cups
be followed. These details should be recorded in an inspector’s
D 4258 Practice for Surface Cleaning Concrete for Coating
record book to eliminate any misunderstanding between the
D 4259 Practice for Abrading Concrete
inspector and the contractor.
D 4260 Practice for Acid Etching of Concrete
4.3 The inspector should obtain copies of Materials Safety
D 4262 Test Method for Determining pH of Chemically
Data Sheets for all products that will be used on the project,
Cleaned or Etched Concrete Surfaces
review any hazard communications program in accordance
D 4263 Test Method for Indicating Moisture in Concrete by
with 29 CFR 1910.1200 that will apply to the project, and
the Plastic Sheet Method
review other safety information related to the work that will be
D 4285 Test Method for Indicating Oil or Water Com-
performed by the contractor. The inspector should examine
pressed Air
these materials and be supplied with appropriate protective
D 4414 Practice for Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by
equipment and devices.
Notch Gages
D 4541 Test Method for Pull-Off strength of Coatings
5. Surface Preparation Methods and Requirements
Using Portable Adhesion Testers
5.1 Surface Preparation—One of the most important factors
D 4787 Practice for Continuity Verification of Liquid or
affecting the performance of coatings is surface preparation.
Sheet Linings Applied to Concrete Substrates
The specifier determines the proper level according to the
D 5064 Practice for Conducting a Patch Test to Assess
expected service life and type of coating specified.
Coating Compatibility
5.2 Factors Affecting Coating Performance—There are a
D 6132 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of
number of factors that must be considered to ensure a proper
Dry Film Thickness of Applied Organic Coatings Over
painting project.
Concrete Using an Ultrasonic Gage
5.2.1 Surface Condition—Concrete and masonry have
2.2 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
unique properties associated with them due to their physical
(OSHA) Standard:
6 8
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D6237–98
nature and method of formation. New concrete may be very concrete surface that is suitably roughened. Mechanical tool
smooth and hard if hard trowel finished, or have cavities and cleaning is presented in Practice D 4259, 6.1 to 6.5. Various
holes at or just below the surface if poured. As with surface techniques may be required by the specifier depending on the
preparation of other substrates, contaminants must be removed nature of the job.
and the surface suitably roughened. All protrusions should be
5.3.3.1 Hand Tool Cleaning is one method used for the
removed by suitable hand or power tool technique prior to
removal of loose or otherwise unsound concrete, by hand
cleaning. Visible holes should be filled with a patching
brushing, hand sanding, hand chipping, or scraping using wire,
compound compatible with the coating to be applied.
fiber or bristle brushes, grinding stones, sandpaper, steel wool,
5.2.2 Cleanliness—Many materials, if not removed from
hand scrapers or chisels, and chipping hammers.
the surface, will affect the life of the coating. These include
5.3.3.1.1 Wire brushes should be rigid enough to clean the
form release agents, surface hardeners, laitance, efflorescence,
surface thoroughly and shaped to penetrate into all corners and
grease, soil, fungus, mold, and mildew, which make it impos-
joints. Brushes should be kept free of all materials that may
sible to obtain proper adhesion.
clog the wires of the brush.
5.2.3 Moisture—There should be no free standing water on
5.3.3.1.2 Hand scrapers should be made of tool steel,
the surface although a damp surface may be specified for
tempered and ground to a sharp edge and should be of the
certain types of coatings. Moisture is required to cure concrete,
proper size and shape to enable cleaning to be done as
but after the specified cure time has passed, the inspector
specified. Scrapers should be kept sharp at all times.
should check for excessive moisture below the surface as
5.3.3.2 Power Tool Cleaning is a method used for the
determined by Test Method D 4263 or by use of a moisture
removal of loose or otherwise defective concrete and protru-
meter. Many coating types will not adhere over entrapped
sions by power wire brushes, power impact tools, power
moisture.
grinders, power sanders or by a combination of these methods.
5.3 Cleaning Procedures—Safety precautions are not ad-
All equipment should be suitable for the configuration of the
dressed separately for each of the following cleaning methods.
work to be cleaned and maintained free of material that clogs
Each has its own safety-related hazards, and U.S. Occupational
the wire or disks making them ineffective. All impact tools
Health and Safety Administration regulations should be fol-
should be kept sharp.
lowed. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the solvents
5.3.3.3 Scarifying Machines for concrete surfaces are avail-
and cleaning compounds provided by the manufacturer should
able that either cut or chip away a thin layer. Aggregate
also be consulted for proper worker protection.
loosened by mechanical impacting should be removed.
5.3.1 Surface Cleaning—Broom, vacuum cleaners or a
5.3.3.4 Pre- and Post-Surface Preparation—Mechanical
compressed air stream, or both, are used to remove surface dust
tool cleaning requires that grease, oil and other penetrating
and other loosely adherent solid contaminants in accordance
contaminants be removed prior to cleaning and after surface
with 6.1 to 6.3 of Practice D 4258. Compressed air should be
preparation as described in 5.3.2.1.
free of water and oil. Test compressed air supply in accordance
5.3.3.5 Finished Surface—The surface is visually inspected
with Test Method D 4285. Visually examine the surface for the
for dirt, dust, grease, oil, and loose contaminants. The surface
presence of dust, debris and loosely adherent concrete.
should have a roughened textured appearance and aggregate
5.3.2 Water and Steam Cleaning—These procedures are
may be exposed. A roughness standard may be established by
intended to remove dust, dirt, and water-soluble surface con-
mutual agreement.
taminants. Clean, potable water is used with sufficient pressure
5.3.4 Blast Cleaning is used to remove foreign materials
to remove dust, dirt, and loose material. Hand scrubbing with
from concrete in accordance with Practice D 4259 to provide a
a stiff-bristled brush may be necessary. Visually examine the
roughened surface. Blast cleaning is described in Practice
prepared surface for debris, dirt, oil, grease, loosely adherent
D 4259. Dry or wet abrasive blasting may be used or specified.
concrete, and other contaminants. Moisture content may be
determined after the surface has dried in accordance with Test 5.3.4.1 Blast cleaning requires that all oil, grease, and other
Method D 4263 or by use of a moisture meter. contaminants
...