This document discusses inspection levels and the duties of coating inspectors at different stages of a coating project. It describes three levels of inspection - full, intermittent, and occasional. The duties of inspectors include spotting potential defects, ensuring issues are addressed, and monitoring work at various stages including before and during surface preparation, paint application, and after application. Inspection instruments are used to assess surface cleanliness, profile, thickness, and other attributes. Inspectors help ensure coating work meets specifications.

2. 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.

3. 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 inspector’s 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.)

4. 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

5. INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
 Elcometer 125
 ISO Surface Comparator
 Shot & Grit
 Visual Assessment
 Tactile Assessment
( touch )
Comparators, for determining surface roughness and profile
(anchor pattern)
Surface Preparation

6. INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

7.  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
Surface Preparation
INSPECTION INSTRUMENT

8.  Elcometer 127
 Keane-Tator Surface Profile
Comparator
 Shot, Grit and Sand
 Elcometer 129
 Rubert Surface Comparator
○ Shot
○ Grit
 Rugotest Surface
Comparator
○ Dual Rubert
Rugotest
INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation

9.  Elcometer 123
 Surface Profile Gauge
 Take average of several readings
 Zero on Glass
INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
Surface Preparation
Elcometer 224
 Surface Profile Gauge
 Take average of several readings
 Built in memory & averaging facility
 Digital Output
 Digital display with data summary
 Batch collection

10. INSPECTION INSTRUMENT
SALT DETECTION EQUIPMENT
 Soluble Salts - The Problem
 Salt Detection Methods
 Salt Detection in Abrasives & Water
 Apply patch
 Insert 3 ml of distilled water
 Pump liquid to release salts
 Extract solution
 Test solution with conductivity meter
 Available as a kit
Bresle Patch (Elcometer 135/B)
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 µg/cm²

11. Thanks….
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