CLEANING AND REPAINTING OR OVERCOATING STRUCTURAL STEEL
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Cleaning and repainting or overcoating existing structural steel surfaces
including all bearing units.
B.Removal of existing paint from existing structural steel surfaces.
C.Preparation of existing steel surface for repainting or overcoating and
painting the cleaned structural steel surfaces.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS Not Used
1.3REFERENCES
A.ASTM D 3359: Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
B.ASTM D 4285: Indicating Oil or Water in Compressed Air
C.ASTM D 4417: Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned
Steel
D.ASTM D 4541: Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion
Testers
E.ASTM E 11: Wire Cloth and Sieves For Testing Purposes
F.Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
G.Federal Standards
H.Northeast Protective Coatings Committee (NEPCOAT)
I.The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
1.4DEFINITIONS
A.Overcoating – Spot paint areas with bare steel followed by two coats of
paint over the entire surface of each structural steel member.
1.5SUBMITTALS
A.Materials
1.Source and gradation of the blast abrasive.
2.Type and source of solvent if required.
3.Manufacturer’s information regarding the specified coating
materials, including:
a.Required wet and dry film thickness
b.Project safety data
c.Thinning recommendations
d.Temperature requirements
e.Profile recommendations
f.Mixing and application procedures
g.Required equipment
h.Method of application
4.Test samples
a.Cleaning operation samples, disposal evaluation results, and
disposal certificates. Refer to this Section, article 3.2 paragraph C.
b.Samples to the Department and an independent accredited
Materials Testing Lab for composition and disposal evaluation. Refer to this Section, article 1.6.
c.Paint composition and disposal evaluation results from the
independent materials testing lab. 1) Disposition will be given to the contractor within 30 days.
d.Disposal certificates for all waste paint.
B.Qualifications, methods, and documentation for information.
1.Certifications before the preconstruction meeting. Refer to this
Section, article 1.7.
2.Detailed plan of protection methods that includes Environmental
Protection for approval.
3.Quality Control Plan that contains at a minimum procedures and
verification of the following:
a.Compression air check
b.Dry film thickness – Refer to SSPC-PA 2
c.Air temperature
d.Humidity and dew point
e.Surface temperature
f.Abrasive cleanliness check – Refer to SSPC-AB 2
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
g.Degree of cleanliness achieved
h.Surface profile – Refer to ASTM D 4417 method C
i.Batch number and amount of thinner used
j.Batch number of paint used
k.Mixing procedures
l.Paint repair procedures for scratches, gouges, holidays, mud
cracking, runs, and sags
4.Written site specific compliance program documenting the
equipment, training, containment, and monitoring system to comply with OSHA’s standard on lead exposure in construction as published in Federal Register, Section 29 CFR 1926.62, May 4, 1993.
a.Worker Health and Safety Program
b.Environmental Protection and Monitoring Program
c.Hazardous Waste Handling and Reporting of Release
Program d Refer to SSPC Guide 6 – Guide for Containing Surface Preparation Debris
5.Daily reports upon request.
a.Submit no later than 24 hours following the completion of
work.
1.6TEST SAMPLES
A.Department will test paint samples from each batch or lot before use.
1.Submit samples to the Engineer.
2.Paints must match the spectrum samples on file with the
Department.
1.7PAINTER AND BLASTER QUALIFICATIONS
A.The entity performing surface preparation or coatings applications in the
field:
1.Must have SSPC-QP 2 Category A certification before the
preconstruction meeting.
2.Remain certified for the duration of the project.
a.Do not perform work if certification has expired.
3.Notify the Engineer of any changes in certification status.
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1SOLVENT
A.Solvent – Recommended by the paint system manufacturer.
2.2COATING SYSTEM
A.Select a complete three-part coating system consisting of a zinc primer,
epoxy or urethane intermediate coat, and aliphatic urethane top coat from the NEPCOAT Qualified Products List. Refer to http://www.udot.utah.gov/go/standardsreferences for a link to this list.
B.Paint Color – Federal Standard 595.
1.Intermediate coat Color No. 26293
2.Top coat Color No. 26306 or as specified
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1GENERAL
A.Use manufacturer’s information regarding the specified coating materials,
including required wet and dry film thickness, project safety data, thinning recommendations, temperature requirements, profile recommendations, mixing and application procedures, and required equipment.
3.2PREPARATION – GENERAL
A.Meet soluble salts requirements of SSPC-Guide 15 and the coatings
manufacturer.
B.Protection
1.Fully contain all material resulting from surface preparation and
paint overspray.
2.Enclosure system must withstand extreme high winds.
3.Protect all portions of the structure that will not be painted.
4.Protect pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Use barriers during any
blast-cleaning operations to protect pedestrians and vehicles and to prevent spreading or falling of abrasive materials and debris on the traveled portions of the pavement. Remove any abrasive materials and debris on pavement, shoulders, or slope paving before reopening work areas to traffic.
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
C.Recover a minimum of 95 percent of debris from cleaning operation.
1.Sample debris from cleaning operation.
2.Place reclaimed waste paint in EPA-USDOT approved
containment. Store at the project site.
3.Dispose of waste paint as determined by the Engineer.
3.3PREPARATION – REPAINTING STRUCTURAL STEEL
A.Clean surfaces including bearing units of all oil, grease, and dirt with clean
petroleum solvents or steam cleaning before blasting operation.
B.Blast surfaces clean to near white with 0.5 to 2 mil profile. Refer to SSPC-
SP 10.
C.Discoloration, light shadows, or slight streaks caused by stains of rust is
not allowed on more than 5 percent of surface area.
D.Define acceptable surface preparation using SSPC-Vis 1.
E.Use SSPC-SP 11 to clean areas such as backside of base plates and
corners that cannot otherwise be cleaned.
F.Prime the surface within 8 hours after blasting.
G.Do not prime the surface if rust has started to form. Clean the surface
again before applying the prime coat.
3.4PREPARATION – OVERCOATING STRUCTURAL STEEL
A.Clean designated surfaces of all oil, grease, debris, and dirt with clean
petroleum solvents. Follow with high-pressure wash (SSPC-SP 1).
B.Remove all corrosion and all paint that shows peeling, brittleness,
checking, scaling, or general disintegration including bearing units.
1.Use vacuum shrouded power tool cleaning (SSPC-SP 3).
2.Remove paint from the area and beyond the edges of the area so
that remaining paint system shows no rusting or blistering underneath and adheres tightly to the surface. Remaining paint system should have sufficient adhesion that cannot be lifted as a layer by inserting a blade or putty knife under it. Meet requirements of ASTM D 3359 and D 4541.
3.Feather the edges of the remaining paint system around the
cleaned areas so the repainted surface appears smooth.
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
3.5PREPARE PAINT MATERIALS
A.Mix the paint to a lump-free consistency with a high shear mixer according
to the manufacturer’s directions.
1.Do not use paddle mixers or paint shakers.
2.Keep paint in the original containers and mix until all the metallic
powder or pigment is suspended.
3.Continue mixing until all solids or pigments that may have settled to
the bottom of the container are thoroughly dispersed.
B.Strain the paint through a screen with openings no larger than those
specified for a No. 50 sieve. Refer to ASTM E 11.
C.Strain and continuously agitate the mixed material up to and during
application.
3.6APPLY PAINT – GENERAL
A.Field Inspection
1.Do not apply paint until the Engineer verifies the prepared surface.
2.Use rubber rollers or other approved protective devices on scaffold
fastenings.
3.Do not use metal rollers, clamps, and other types of fastenings that
mar or damage freshly coated surfaces.
B.Consult with the manufacturer’s technical representative for answers to
technical questions related to the application of the specified coating materials.
C.Project Conditions/Weather Limitations
1.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations if weather conditions
require paint thinning.
2.Apply paint only when the following weather conditions exist:
a.The temperature of the air and the steel are above 40
degrees F but not so hot as to cause the paint to blister.
b.The relative humidity is less than 85 percent or such that the
combination of temperature and humidity conditions inhibits surface condensation.
c.Apply a thin film of water to a small area to test humidity.
The surface may be painted if the film evaporates within 15 minutes.
d.The steel temperature is a minimum of 5 degrees F above
dew point.
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
D.Use necessary equipment for proper application of the specified coating.
Observe safety practices found in SSPC-PA Guide 10, Guide to Safety and Health Requirements.
E.Apply paint with spray nozzles at pressures recommended by the
manufacturer of the coating system.
F.Use wet and dry film thickness gauges for testing the coating thickness
during and after application. Refer to SSPC-PA 2. Use equipment capable of taking dry film thickness readings on all portions including nuts and bolts.
G.Apply two or more coats if the required film thickness could not be
obtained by one coat without producing runs, bubbles, or sags.
H.Apply paint to produce a uniform, even coating that bonds to the
underlying surface. Refer to SSPC-PA 1.
3.7APPLY PAINT – REPAINTING STRUCTURAL STEEL
A.Prime Coat
1.Maintain the dry film thickness of the prime coat between 2.5 and
6.0 mils.
2.Blast clean any coat that produces “mud-cracking” or adds more
than 7.0 mils to a soundly bonded coating on bare steel. Refer to SSPC-SP 10. Re-coat the surface.
3.Thoroughly clean areas that have deficient primer thickness with
power washing equipment to remove all dirt. Wire-brush, vacuum, and re-coat the area.
B.Intermediate Coat
1.Use the coating type and minimum dry film thickness specified.
2.Produce a dry-film thickness of the intermediate coat greater than 4
mils.
C.Top Coat
1.Keep the dry film thickness greater than 2 mils.
3.8APPLY PAINT – OVERCOATING STRUCTURAL STEEL
A.Intermediate Coat
1.Spot paint any areas with bare steel, followed by another full
intermediate coat over the entire steel surface.
2.Apply a minimum dry film thickness of 3 mils for the spot coat and a
minimum of 2 mils for the full intermediate coat.
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
B.Top Coat
1.Apply top coat to entire steel surface.
2.Keep the dry film thickness at 2 mils or greater.
END OF SECTION
Cleaning and Repainting or Overcoating Structural Steel
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Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 1203–1210 of 1,331.
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