Different Standards of Surface Preparation
NACE SSPC Swedish British ISO8501
#1 White Metal SP5 White Metal Sa3 First Quality Sa3
#2 Near White SP10 Near white Sa2½ Second Quality Sa2½
#3 Commercial SP6 Commercial Sa2 Third Quality Sa2
SP8 Acid Pickling
SP11 Power tool to bare
Metal
#4 Brush Blast SP7 Brush Blast Sa 1 Sa 1
SP3 Power Tool St 3 St 3
SP2 Hand Tool St 2 St 2
SP1 Solvent Wipe
Solvent Cleaning (SSPC-SP1)
• Solvent cleaning is a method for removing all visible oil, grease, soil, drawing and
cutting compounds, and other soluble contaminants from steel surfaces.
• Solvent cleaning is increasingly restrictive due to VOC regulations.
• Alternate use biodegradable cleaners are available
SSPC Vis 3 Designation
• Hand Tool = SP2
• Power Tool = SP3
ISO Designation
• Hand Tool = St2
• Power Tool = St3
Surface Preparation Standards
Power Tool Cleaning (SSPC-SP3)
• Power tool cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces by the use of power
assisted tools.
White Metal Blast Cleaning (SSPC-SP5)
• White metal blast cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces which, when
viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill
scale, rust and paint.
Commercial Blast Cleaning (SSPC-SP6)
• Commercial blast cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces which, when
viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill
scale, rust and paint.
• Generally, evenly dispersed very light shadows, streaks and discolorations
caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, and stains of previously applied
paint may remain on no more than 33% of the surface. Slight residues of rust
and paint may also be left in the craters of pits if the original surface is pitted.
Near-White Blast Cleaning (SSPC-SP10)
• Near-white blast cleaning is a method of preparing steel surfaces which, when
viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill
scale, rust and paint. Generally, evenly dispersed very light shadows, streaks
and discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, and stains of
previously applied paint may remain on no more than 5% of the surface.
Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal (SSPC-SP11)
Metallic surfaces which are prepared according to this specification, when viewed
without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill scale, rust,
paint, oxide, corrosion products and other foreign matter. Slight residues of rust and
paint may be left in the lower portions of pits if the original surface is pitted.
Industrial Blast Cleaning (SSPC-SP12)
An industrial blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of
all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, loose mill scale, loose rust, and loose paint. Tightly
adherent mill scale, rust, and paint may remain on no more than 33% of the surface,
provided it is generally evenly dispersed. Mill scale, rust, and paint are considered
tightly adherent if they cannot be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife.
Surface Preparation Standards
Rust Grades
• Rust Grade A: Steel completely covered with mill scale; little or no rust visible
• Rust Grade B: Steel covered with mill scale and rust
• Rust Grade C: Steel completely covered with rust; little or no pitting visible
• Rust Grade D: Steel completely covered with rust; pitting visible
Surface Preparation Standards
Blast Cleaning on Rust Grade A
Surface Preparation Standards
Blast Cleaning on Rust Grade B
Surface Preparation Standards
Blast Cleaning on Rust Grade C
Surface Preparation Standards
Blast Cleaning on Rust Grade D
Note: Digital images may not represent the right colour and brightness; it is advised to
refer to the original standard.
Surface Preparation Standards
