This Surface Preparation Commentary (SP COM) is intended to be an aid for the coating specifier in selecting methods, materials, and standards for specifying the proper surface preparation for steel, and other metals (not including ductile iron pipe). The use of these standards in a coating specification will give direction to the contractor regarding what is required and give direction to the inspector on verifying compliance to the specification.

The SSPC standards, summarized in Table 1A, represent a broad consensus of users, suppliers, and public interest groups. Details of the methods used to verify many of the properties discussed in this SP COM are described in SSPC publication 03-14, "The Inspection of Coatings and Linings, A Handbook of Basic Practice for Inspectors, Owners, and Specifiers, 2nd Ed."

Table 1B includes similar standards published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)(1). It should be noted that that while the ISO and SSPC standards are similar and commonly deemed equivalent, they are not identical. Tables 3A, 3B, and 3C provide a comparison of the ISO and SSPC standards.