7.3 Workmanship

7.3.1 Surface Preparation

All metal surfaces to receive topcoat shall be primed.  Surface preparation shall comply with SSPC standards.  Coating process and degree of surface preparation shall meet or exceed coating supplier requirements, respective of the substrate to be coated.  Surface preparation shall include the following,

• Edges shall be deburred and free of sharp corners. Surfaces shall be clean, dry, and free of all rust, scale, spatter, oil, grease, soluble salts, and other contaminants.
• When powder coat is used for bare metal, pretreatment shall consist of SSPC-SP10, Near White Blast (respective of substrate) with an optimum surface profile of 1.0 mil.
• Body filler is not acceptable on new equipment.

7.3.2 Finish Appearance

• Finish shall be free from runs, drips, sags, and other undesirable qualities. See Appendix 'A' for reference.
• When removal of coatings is necessary (ex: mounting body to chassis), damaged areas shall be repaired and refinished.
• Coating overspray (glass, paint, rubber, etc.) shall be removed and the surface returned to original condition.

7.3.3 Dry Film Thickness

Dry film thickness shall be as follows,

• When liquid primer is used (spray gun-applied), 2 mils dry film thickness shall be achieved. The topcoat shall be no less than 2-mils dry film thickness (total of 4 mils).
• When powder coat is used, the primer coat and topcoat shall have a cured thickness equivalent to or greater than the coating manufacturers minimum recommended film thickness.
• When e-coat primer is used, the primer thickness shall meet or exceed the e-coat manufacturer's minimum recommended film thickness.