SECTION 573 - STRUCTURAL STEEL PAINTING: FIELD APPLIED - TOTAL REMOVAL (Last Revised January, 2021)
573-1 DESCRIPTION. This work shall consist of pressure washing, abrasive blast cleaning to remove
all paint, rust, rust scale, mill scale, corrosion producing contaminants, and other foreign matter, and painting structural steel surfaces. See Special Note entitled Structural Painting Details for the description and requirements for serialized items.
573-2 Materials
573-2.01 Paints. Paints shall meet the requirements of §708-01 Structural Steel Paints – Class 1, and
shall appear on the Department’s Approved List, ‘Structural Steel Paints – Class 1’. All new paint to be applied to a single structure shall be the same paint system produced by the same manufacturer. The Contractor shall assure this to be the case in the event that multiple paint items are specified on a single structure. This includes both shop and field painted components of the structure.
A.Shelf Life. The shelf life of all components of the coating system shall be a maximum of 12 months from the date of manufacture. The shelf life of factory sealed containers of thinners shall be per manufacturer’s recommendations or 3 years from the date of manufacture, whichever is less, and a maximum of 7 months after the factory seal has been broken. Paint and thinner shall arrive at the work site in new, unopened containers. The label shall include the manufacturer’s name, batch number, color, paint name, and date of manufacture.
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B.Paint Storage. Paint in storage shall be protected from damage and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Paint will be considered in storage if it is onsite for more than 8 hours prior to application.
C.Color. Each single coat of paint shall be a different color and provide substantial contrast with the underlying substrate and previous coats. The colors of the primer, stripe coat, and intermediate coat will be the Contractor's option. The color of the finish coat shall be as specified in contract documents.
D.Data Sheets. The Contractor shall supply the Department’s representative with the paint manufacturer’s material safety data sheets for each paint component to be applied. The material safety data sheets shall be delivered to the Department’s representative a minimum of five work days prior to beginning of work. The Department’s representative and Contractor shall use the product data sheets posted on the Structural Steel Paints Class 1 Approved List.
573-2.02 Water for Washing. Water for pressure washing shall be potable water. Any detergent or
soluble salt remover used must receive approval by the paint manufacturer and the Materials Bureau. Water shall not be recycled.
573-2.03 Abrasive for Blast Cleaning. Abrasive blast media for blast cleaning shall be recyclable,
ferrous metallic, abrasive grit. All new metallic abrasive shall be in compliance with the specifications of SSPC-AB 3 Ferrous Metallic Abrasive. All ferrous metallic abrasive used shall be recycled and cleaned in accordance with SSPC-AB 2. The Contractor shall select the size, blend, and hardness of the abrasive to produce an angular anchor profile of a recommended depth as indicated on the manufacturer’s data sheets. All ferrous metallic abrasive arriving on the job site shall be new, and invoices shall be submitted for acceptance. All recycling equipment shall arrive empty and clean.
573-2.04 Paint Inspection Equipment. Prior to the start of work the Contractor shall supply the
Engineer with the following specifications and equipment in good working order:
A.One bound copy of the Steel Structures Paining Council surface preparation specification, SSPC SP-1 – Solvent Cleaning.
B.One (1) bound copy of the Steel Structures Painting Council surface preparation specification, SSPC-SP 10 – Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning.
C.One bound copy of the most current Steel Structures Painting Council Pictorial Standards, SSPC- VIS 1, Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning.
D.One bound copy of the Steel Structures Painting Council specification SSPC-PA2, Paint Application Specification No. 2 - Measurement of Dry Film Thickness With Magnetic Gages.
E.One bound copy of Steel Structures Painting Council specification SSPC AB-2 Specification for Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous Metallic Abrasives.
F.One bound copy of Steel Structures Painting Council specification SSPC AB-3 Specification for Newly Manufactured or Re-Manufactured Steel Abrasive.
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G.One copy of ASTM D4417 Test Methods for Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned Steel.
H.One copy of ASTM D4285 Test Method for Indicating Oil or Water in Compressed Air.
I.One Air Thermometer, pocket type, 10°F to 110°F.
J.One noncontact Infrared Thermometer, 10°F to 110°F.
K.One Contact Thermometer,10°F to 110°F.
L.One Magnetic Dry-Film Thickness Gage, Type 2 (as defined per SSPC PA-2), with a display capable of measuring 0 to 60 mils in 0.1 mil increments, with calibration shims.
M.Two Wet-Film Thickness Gages, Prong-Type, capable of measuring 1 to 10 mils in 1 mil increments.
N.Psychrometer and US Weather Bureau Psychrometric Tables.
O.Profile micrometer with extra coarse and extra coarse plus replica tape. All equipment will be returned to the Contractor upon completion of the work.
573-3 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS. The Contractor shall clean and paint all structural steel members,
railings, downspouts, and other miscellaneous steel items as indicated in the contract documents. The Contractor shall provide adequate access, suitable lighting, and time for inspections to be made. Any work done while the Engineer has been restricted from access, shall be recleaned and repainted, at no additional cost to the State to the State.
573-3.01 Quality Control Plan. The Contractor shall provide the Engineer with a copy of the
Contractor's Quality Control (QC) procedures and/or Quality Control Plan (QCP). The QCP describes the minimum QC activities that will be performed by Contractor's QC personnel to ensure compliance. The QCP shall minimally include operating procedures and maintenance records for equipment on site, proof of formal QC training for the Contractor’s QC personnel on site, and daily reports including the following information:
A.Compressed Air Cleanliness
B.Dry Film Thickness
C.Air Temperature
D.Humidity and Dew Point
E.Surface Temperature
F.Abrasive Cleanliness Checks
G.Degree of Cleanliness Achieved
H.Surface Profile
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I.Batch Numbers of Paint Used
J.Batch Numbers of Thinner Used
K.Mixing According to Specification The Contractor must provide daily reports to the Engineer at the conclusion of cleaning work and painting work and prior to inspection of such work by the Engineer. Reports at the conclusion of cleaning and painting work shall include all pertinent information listed above that relate to such work and shall be in a format previously agreed to under the QCP.
573-3.02 Surface Preparation. Steel surfaces shall be prepared for painting by a combination of
pressure washing, solvent cleaning, and abrasive blast cleaning. Pressure washing shall be performed first, followed by abrasive blast cleaning to remove all paint, rust, rust scale, and mill scale, as per SSPC SP-10, Near-White Metal. If heavy deposits of rust and scale are present, they shall be removed by hand or power tool prior to pressure washing. Deposits of bird droppings taller than 1/2 inch shall be removed prior to pressure washing.
A.Pressure Washing and Solvent Cleaning. All steel surfaces to be painted shall be pressure washed, using an operating pressure range of 1800 to 2000 psi, a minimum flow of 3.5 gal/minute, and a water temperature of 185ºF to 200ºF. The nozzle shall be held at a distance of 6 to 12 inches from the steel surface. Pressure washing shall only be allowed when ambient air temperatures are greater than 40°F and rising. In no case will pressure washing be conducted when spent wastewater could freeze on roadway or bridge surfaces or in any other way create a hazardous situation. The washing is intended to remove contaminants from the surface, not to remove tightly adhered paint. Oil and grease shall be removed by solvent cleaning as described in SSPC SP1, Solvent Cleaning. The areas shall be pressure washed again following this cleaning. When the washing is completed, the cleaned surfaces shall be free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, animal waste, salts, and other debris A containment shall be suspended around and beneath the work area during pressure washing. The containment for pressure washing is intended to capture solid paint chips and other solid debris that may become dislodged from washing operations. Unless otherwise noted, spent wash water will not require collection and will be allowed to fall to the underlying ground or waterway, provided that the other requirements of this specification are met. Special note, Structural Painting Details, will provide scheduling requirements for washing a structure over a body of water. Spent wash water over a public water supply or the New York City watershed shall be collected and diverted to the adjoining land mass. If steel surfaces become contaminated or 7 calendar days elapse between washing and abrasive blasting cleaning, they shall be rewashed at no additional cost to the State. The surface shall be allowed to dry before subsequent abrasive blast cleaning begins.
B.Abrasive Blast Cleaning.
1.Atmospheric Conditions. Blast cleaning operations shall not be conducted under the following conditions:
a.The relative humidity exceeds 85%.
b.When the substrate is damp or covered by frost.
c.The surface temperature is less than 5°F above the dew point.
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2.Steel Cleanliness and Profile. All structural steel surfaces shall be blast cleaned to SSPC SP- 10, Near-White Metal. The anchor profile shall be measured in accordance with ASTM D4417, Method C. The Contractor shall ensure that the anchor profile is within the range indicated on the paint manufacturer’s data sheets. The profile, at a minimum, shall be measured five times in various locations every 2000 square feet prepared and once per work shift, unless otherwise ordered by the Engineer. The anchor profile shall not exceed 4 mils unless approved by the Engineer. The Engineer may approve a profile greater than 4 mils if an area is severely corroded or pitted. If the Contractor exceeds the 4 mils profile, the Contractor will be required to measure the profile using extra-coarse-plus replica tape and apply an additional mist coat of primer in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations to obtain a minimum 2 mils film build over the profile peaks, at no additional cost to the State. All fins, tears, slivers, flame-cut edges, burred and sharp edges that are present or occur during the blasting operation shall be removed by grinding, and then the area shall be reblasted to provide the required profile. Special attention shall be given to the edges of beam flanges, angles and plates, bearings, rivets, the heads of nuts and bolts, structural steel surrounding bridge joints, and similar surfaces that are marginally accessible and difficult to clean. Upon completion of blast cleaning and prior to inspection, the containment shall be vacuumed and the cleaned surfaces shall be free of all blasting products and paint debris. Surfaces shall be free of all abrasive prior to inspection. Surfaces shall be cleared of all foreign matter by means of oil-free, moisture-free, compressed air or vacuum systems All cleaned surfaces will be inspected by the Engineer prior to painting. Any areas that are painted before being inspected shall be cleaned and restored to the SP-10 standard and repainted at no additional cost to the State. If the cleaned surface begins to rust or becomes contaminated in any matter prior to applying primer, the surface shall be restored to SP-10 standard.
3.Steel Grit. The recyclable abrasive shall be cleaned of all paint, chips, rust, mill scale, and other foreign material after each use, prior to reuse. The cleanliness of the recycled abrasive during use shall be confirmed in accordance with SSPC-AB2. The Contractor shall execute, record, and provide the Engineer results of the nonabrasive residue test, water soluble test, and oil content test daily. The Engineer may be present during this testing. The Contractor shall also execute and provide lead content test results weekly. All equipment used for cleaning abrasive shall be specifically designed for this purpose and accepted by the Engineer. The Contractor shall maintain a balance in the size distribution of the abrasive work mix for the duration of the abrasive blasting operations to maintain a uniform profile across the surfaces to be blasted. The work mix shall not be predominantly coarse or fine, and shall be maintained through proper removal of expended abrasive and its timely replenishment.
4.Protection of Newly Painted Surfaces. Throughout abrasive blast cleaning work, care shall be taken to protect newly painted surfaces from the cleaning operations. Tarps, covers, or other devices shall be used to protect new paint from contamination or damage. Contaminated areas of new paint shall be cleaned as necessary prior to the next coat of paint. Damaged paint shall be blast cleaned to the required condition, and then repainted at no additional cost to the State.
5.Vacuuming. After cleaning operations are completed, all debris generated by the cleaning work shall be removed by vacuuming using HEPA-filtered vacuums. A HEPA filter shall be defined as a filter that is at least 99.97% efficient for particles that are 0.3μm in diameter, or larger.
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6.Equipment. All equipment and compressors used in the cleaning operation shall be equipped with filters and traps to prevent moisture, oil, and other contaminants from being deposited on clean surfaces. The air cleanliness shall be verified by the Contractor with the white blotter test in accordance with ASTM D4285 at least once per shift for each compressed air system.
7.Cleaning Area. The area cleaned shall be limited to that which can be cleaned, inspected and prime coated within a 10-hour period. Cleaned areas shall be inspected by the Engineer prior to priming. Areas that exhibit flash rusting or fail to meet the local standard prior to painting shall be re-cleaned to the approved standard at no additional cost to the State.
C.Visual and Project Standards. The Contractor shall prepare at least one project cleaning standard for each representative area on the structure that is being prepared for painting. Multiple standards may be required if the cleaned steel differs significantly from the photographic standards due to surface conditions, or other factors such as distance of the standard from the work area. The prepared cleaning standard shall conform to SSPC VIS 1, "Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared By Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning" Pictorial Standard as applicable, and shall be approved by the Engineer before the start of general cleaning work. Each cleaning standard shall be at least 12 x 12 inches in size, and shall be located in an area of the structure that is easily accessible, and approved by the Engineer. The Contractor shall protect the work standard from corrosion and contamination throughout the duration of work by applying a clear coat of polyurethane. At the completion of cleaning work, the cleaning standard shall be cleaned and painted. If the project standard becomes deteriorated, or otherwise ineffective, it shall be reestablished at no additional cost to the State. In case of a dispute over the visual standard, the written standard shall take precedence.
573-3.03 Painting. The Contractor shall apply three full coats of new paint and one stripe coat to all
surfaces cleaned to SP-10. The paint shall be applied in the following order: primer, intermediate coat, stripe coat, and the finish coat. All steel surfaces within 6 feet of a bridge joint shall receive an additional full coat of intermediate paint.
A.Atmospheric Conditions. Paint shall be applied only if surface and ambient temperatures are greater than or equal to 40oF and rising. Paint shall not be applied when surface or ambient temperatures are greater than 100oF. If the temperature range listed on the manufacturer’s data sheets is more restrictive, the manufacturer’s range shall be used. The use of accelerator additives is prohibited. No paint shall be applied unless the receiving surface is absolutely dry. Paint shall not be applied when the relative humidity is more than 85% or the surface temperature is less than 5oF above the dew point. If manufacturer’s requirements are more restrictive then they shall be followed. No paint shall be applied during rain or when rain is forecast to occur by the National Weather Service for the project location during painting operations. All painted surfaces shall be protected from direct exposure to rain for the time interval recommended by the paint manufacturer for proper cure. The Contractor shall observe the dew point and humidity restrictions listed on the manufacturer’s data sheets. If an epoxy coating is exposed to temperatures or humidity conditions outside of the manufacturer’s recommended values prior to cure, all affected surfaces shall be visually examined for greased or oily surfaces which may have formed. The Engineer may require the Contractor to use a commercially available amine blush test kit at locations chosen by the Engineer. If testing indicates the presence of an amine blush or if there is any oily film on the surface, the surfaces shall be cleaned and prepared for topcoating in accordance with paint manufacturer’s recommendations at no additional cost to the State.
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B.Paint Mixing. All paint shall be thoroughly mixed with mechanical mixers in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. After mixing, the bottom of the container shall be free of any unmixed pigment prior to use.
C.Solvents and Thinners. Paint may be thinned if recommended by the manufacturer and approved by the Engineer. The primer shall not be thinned such that the resulting VOC level exceeds the maximum allowable limit set by 6 NYCRR Part 205 for Zinc-Rich Primers. Intermediate and finish coats shall not be thinned where the resulting VOC level exceeds the maximum allowable Part 205 limit for Industrial Maintenance Coatings. The manufacturer’s data sheets shall advise the Contractor and Engineer of the maximum amount of thinner allowed. Use of unauthorized thinners or using excess amounts of thinners is prohibited. Any area where unauthorized solvents or thinners are used shall be recleaned and repainted at no additional cost to the State. All thinning shall be performed in the presence of the Engineer.
D.Paint Application. Painting shall not begin until cleaned surfaces have been inspected and approved by the Engineer. Paint may be applied using spray or brush and roller, unless otherwise indicated by the contract documents. All paint shall be applied so as to produce a uniform, even coating free of runs, sags, drips, ridges, or other defects. Roller nap shall be limited in accordance with the paint manufacturer’s recommendation. Brushes and rollers used to apply the paint must be of a quality to produce a smooth uniform coating without leaving fibers in the coating. Protection against paint spatter, spillage, wind blown paint, or similar releases of paint shall be provided. Covers, tarps, mesh, and similar materials shall be placed around the work area to protect public and private property, pedestrian, vehicular or marine traffic, all portions of the bridge, highway appurtenances, waterways, and similar surrounding areas and property, upon, beneath, or adjacent to the structure. The use of spray equipment for paint application shall be allowed within containments provided that the aforementioned protection against paint release is provided, all equipment used (including tarps, mesh and similar materials) meets all safety requirements for such enclosed use with paint spraying, and all OSHA requirements for safety and ventilation are met.
E.Stripe Coat. A stripe coat shall extend a minimum of 1 inch away from the following surfaces: all welds, rivets, bolts, nuts, edges of plates and structural members, angles, bearings, lattice pieces or other shapes, corners, and crevices. Areas near bridge joints that are to receive an additional coat of intermediate paint shall also receive a stripe coat where necessary as described above. To provide contrast, paint for stripe coating shall be a different color than the receiving surface. The stripe coat shall use the intermediate paint and be applied after the intermediate coat. The stripe coat shall be brush applied without being thinned. The stripe coat will be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, with particular attention to the film thickness, recoat window and cure schedule.
F.Paint Film Thickness. Paint shall be applied to produce the specified dry-film thickness as directed by the range listed on the paint manufacturer’s data sheets. The dry-film thickness shall be determined in accordance with SSPC-PA 2, Paint Application Specification No. 2 - Measurement of Dry Film Thickness with Magnetic Gages, using a Type 2 fixed probe magnetic gages. Dry film thickness gauges shall be calibrated over a blasted, approved surface on the structure using two NIST traceable shims as described in the “two point calibration adjustment” section of Appendix 2 of SSPC-PA 2. The two shims must be just below and above the recommended thickness range of the prime coat, or the combined thickness of successive coats, as applicable. DFTs of the intermediate and finish coats shall be determined by subtracting the average DFT readings of the previous coat(s) from the actual DFT reading. An average DFT value shall be recorded and calculated for every 1000 square feet prepared. The average shall be calculated using a minimum of 5 spot measurements as defined by SSPC-PA2. At least one of the spot measurements shall be performed on the bottom face of the bottom flange of stringers, girders or floor beams if these elements are in the work area.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Areas failing to meet the specified minimum dry-film thickness shall be top coated with the same paint to produce the total dry film thickness required. The top coating must be performed within the paint manufacturer’s specified recoat window. The Engineer may require any area exceeding the manufacturers recommended dry-film thickness to be blast cleaned to the SP-10 condition.
G.Painting Schedule. Primer shall be applied to approved, abrasive-blasted surfaces according to section §573-3.02, B. 7 of this specification. Each area as defined by §573-3.02, B. 7 shall receive an intermediate coat of paint within 72 hours after priming. To prevent intercoat adhesion failure, the topcoat shall be applied within the manufacturer’s recommended recoat window, or 14 days, whichever is shorter. If the contractor fails to topcoat within the specified time period, the surface to be painted shall be cleaned and abraded, in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, to ensure adhesion of the following coat at no additional cost. If the steel has become dirty between coats, the Contractor shall wash the bridge again at no additional cost to the State. Manufacturer’s recommendations shall be observed for cure to handle, and cure to top coat schedules.
H.Stenciling. After the finish coat of paint has cured, the Contractor shall stencil the following information on the inside web of the fascia member, near the BIN plate, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer:
1.Month and year of completion
2.Contract number
3.SP10
4.Name of Paint Manufacturer
5.Name of Contractor
6.Primer, Intermediate, and Finish coat names The stenciled lettering should be approximately 6 inches in height and be a contrasting paint color to the top coat.
573-4 Method of Measurement
The work under this item will be measured on a lump sum basis per structure.
573-5 Basis of Payment
The lump sum price bid shall include the cost of all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work, including the cost of providing protection against damage to public and private property during surface preparation and paint application. Payment for the containment, collection and disposal of dust and paint waste generated by surface preparation work shall be paid for separately. Progress payments will be based on the percentage of steel cleaned and painted. No more than 60% of the quantity will be paid for surface preparation and priming. The remaining amount will be paid following the satisfactory completion of work. Payment will be made under:
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Item No. Item Pay Unit 573.01nnnn Structural Steel Painting Field Applied - Total Removal Lump Sum NOTE: nnnn denotes a serialized pay item.
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 602–610 of 1,489. View official source ↗