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 SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2
September 1, 2000
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

JOINT SURFACE PREPARATION SPECIFICATION

SSPC-SP 10/NACE NO. 2
Near-White Blast Cleaning
This SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE ©NACE International
International standard represents a consensus of those indi- 1440 South Creek
vidual members who have reviewed this document, its scope Houston, TX 77084-4906
and provisions. Its acceptance does not in any respect preclude (telephone +1 281/228-6200)
anyone, having adopted the standard or not, from manufactur-
ing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or © SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
procedures not in conformance with this standard. Nothing 40 24th Street, Sixth Floor
contained in this standard is to be construed as granting any Pittsburgh, PA 15222
right, by implication or otherwise, to manufacture, sell, or use (telephone +1 412/281-2331)
in connection with any method, apparatus, or product covered
by Letters Patent, or as indemnifying or protecting anyone
Foreword
against liability for infringement of Letters Patent. This standard
represents minimum requirements and should in no way be
This joint standard covers the use of blast cleaning abra-
interpreted as a restriction on the use of better procedures or
sives to achieve a defined degree of cleaning of steel surfaces
materials. Neither is this standard intended to apply in all cases
prior to the application of a protective coating or lining system.
relating to the subject. Unpredictable circumstances may negate
This standard is intended for use by coating or lining specifiers,
the usefulness of this standard in specific instances. SSPC
applicators, inspectors, or others whose responsibility it may
and NACE assume no responsibility for the interpretation or
be to define a standard degree of surface cleanliness.
use of this standard by other parties and accept responsibility
The focus of this standard is near-white metal blast clean-
for only those official interpretations issued by SSPC or NACE
ing. White metal blast cleaning, commercial blast cleaning,
in accordance with their respective governing procedures and
industrial blast cleaning and brush-off blast cleaning are ad-
policies, which preclude the issuance of interpretations by
dressed in separate standards.
individual volunteers.
Near-white blast cleaning provides a greater degree of
Users of this standard are responsible for reviewing ap-
cleaning than commercial blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 6/NACE
propriate health, safety, and regulatory documents and for
No. 3), but less than white metal blast cleaning (SSPC-SP
determining their applicability in relation to this standard prior
5/NACE No. 1).
to its use. This SSPC/NACE standard may not necessarily ad-
Near-white blast cleaning is used when the objective is to
dress all potential health and safety problems or environmental
remove all rust, coating, and mill scale, but when the extra effort
hazards associated with the use of materials, equipment and/or
required to remove all stains of these materials is determined
operations detailed or referred to within this standard. Users of
to be unwarranted. Staining shall be limited to no more than
this standard are also responsible for establishing appropriate
5 percent of each unit area of surface.
health, safety, and environmental protection practices, in con-
Near-white blast cleaning allows staining on only 5 percent
sultation with appropriate regulatory authorities, if necessary,
of each unit area of surface, while commercial blast cleaning
to achieve compliance with any existing applicable regulatory
allows staining on 33 percent of each unit area of surface.
requirements prior to the use of this standard.
White metal blast cleaning does not permit any staining to
CAUTIONARY NOTICE: SSPC/NACE standards are sub-
remain on the surface.
ject to periodic review and may be revised or withdrawn at any
This joint standard was prepared by the SSPC/NACE Task
time without prior notice. SSPC and NACE require that action
Group A on Surface Preparation by Abrasive Blast Cleaning.
be taken to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard no later
This joint Task Group includes members of both the SSPC
than five years from the date of initial publication. The user is
Surface Preparation Committee and the NACE Unit Committee
cautioned to obtain the latest edition. Purchasers may receive
T-6G on Surface Preparation (now STG 04).
current information on all standards and other publications by
contacting the organizations at the addresses below:

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SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2
September 1, 2000
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

1. General 2.6 Unit area for determinations shall be approximately

5776 mm2 (9 in2) (i.e., a square 76 mm x 76 mm [3 in x 3
1.1 This joint standard covers the requirements for near- in]).
white blast cleaning of unpainted or painted steel surfaces
by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end 2.7 SSPC-VIS 1 photographs A SP-10, B SP-10, C SP-10 or
condition of the surface and materials and procedures neces- D SP-10 may be specified to supplement the written definition.
sary to achieve and verify the end condition. In any dispute, the written standards shall take precedence
over visual standards and comparators. Additional information
1.2 This joint standard allows random staining to remain on visual standards and comparators is available in Section
on no more than 5 percent of each unit area of surface as A.4 of Appendix A.
defined in Section 2.6.
3. Referenced Standards
1.3 The mandatory requirements are described in Sections
1 to 9 as follows: 3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the refer-
Section 1 General enced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
Section 2 Definition govern unless otherwise specified.
Section 3 References
Section 4 Procedures Before Blast Cleaning 3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of any
Section 5 Blast Cleaning Methods and Operation of the cited reference standards and this standard, the require-
Section 6 Blast Cleaning Abrasives ments of this standard shall prevail.
Section 7 Procedures Following Blast Cleaning and
Immediately Prior to Coating 3.3 SSPC: THE SOCIETY FOR PROTECTIVE COAT-
Section 8 Inspection INGS STANDARDS:
Section 9 Safety and Environmental Requirements AB 1 Mineral and Slag Abrasives
NOTE: Section 10, “Comments” and Appendix A, “Explanatory AB 2 Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous Metallic
Notes” are not mandatory requirements of this standard. Abrasives
AB 3 Ferrous Metallic Abrasives
2. Definition PA Guide 3 A Guide to Safety in Paint Application
SP 1 Solvent Cleaning
2.1 A near-white metal blast cleaned surface, when viewed VIS 1 Guide and Reference Photographs for Seel
without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast
dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, corrosion products, Cleaning
and other foreign matter, except for staining as noted in Sec-
tion 2.2. 4. Procedures Before Blast Cleaning

2.2 Random staining shall be limited to no more than 4.1 Before blast cleaning, visible deposits of oil, grease,
5 percent of each unit area of surface as defined in Section or other contaminants shall be removed in accordance with
2.6, and may consist of light shadows, slight streaks, or minor SSPC-SP 1 or other agreed upon methods.
discolorations caused by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, or
stains of previously applied coating. 4.2 Before blast cleaning, surface imperfections such as
sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, or burning slag should
2.3 Acceptable variations in appearance that do not affect be removed from the surface to the extent required by the
surface cleanliness as defined in Section 2.1 include variations procurement documents (project specification). Additional
caused by type of steel, original surface condition, thickness of information on surface imperfections is available in Section
the steel, weld metal, mill or fabrication marks, heat treating, A.5 of Appendix A.
heat affected zones, blasting abrasives, and differences in the
blast pattern. 4.3 If a visual standard or comparator is specified to
supplement the written standard, the condition of the steel
2.4 When a coating is specified, the surface shall be rough- prior to blast cleaning should be determined before the blasting
ened to a degree suitable for the specified coating system. commences. Additional information on visual standards and
comparators is available in Section A.4 of Appendix A.
2.5 Immediately prior to coating application, the entire
surface shall comply with the degree of cleaning specified
herein.

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 SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2
September 1, 2000
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

5. Blast Cleaning Methods and Operation 7. Procedures Following Blast Cleaning and
Immediately Prior to Coating
5.1 Clean, dry compressed air shall be used for nozzle
blasting. Moisture separators, oil separators, traps, or other 7.1 Visible deposits of oil, grease, or other contaminants
equipment may be necessary to achieve this requirement. shall be removed according to SSPC-SP 1 or another method
agreed upon by those parties responsible for establishing
5.2 Any of the following methods of surface preparation the requirements and those responsible for performing the
may be used to achieve a near-white blast cleaned surface: work.

5.2.1 Dry abrasive blasting using compressed air, blast 7.2 Dust and loose residues shall be removed from pre-
nozzles, and abrasive. pared surfaces by brushing, blowing off with clean, dry air,
vacuum cleaning, or other methods agreed upon by those
5.2.2 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed-cycle, recir- responsible for establishing the requirements and those re-
culating abrasive system with compressed air, blast nozzle, sponsible for performing the work. NOTE: The presence of
and abrasive, with or without vacuum for dust and abrasive toxic metals in the abrasives or paint being removed may place
recovery. restrictions on the methods of cleaning permitted. Comply with
all applicable regulations. Moisture separators, oil separators,
5.2.3 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed cycle, recircu- traps, or other equipment may be necessary to achieve clean,
lating abrasive system with centrifugal wheels and abrasive. dry air.

5.3 Other methods of surface preparation (such as wet 7.3 After blast cleaning, surface imperfections that remain
abrasive blasting) may be used to achieve a near-white blast (e.g., sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, burning slag,
cleaned surface by mutual agreement between those parties scabs, slivers, etc.) shall be removed to the extent required
responsible for establishing the requirements and those re- in the procurement documents (project specification). Any
sponsible for performing the work. NOTE: Information on the damage to the surface profile resulting from the removal of
use of inhibitors to prevent the formation of rust immediately surface imperfections shall be corrected to meet the require-
after wet blast cleaning is contained in Section A.9 of Appendix ments of Section 2.4. NOTE: Additional information on surface
A. imperfections is contained in Section A.5 of Appendix A.

6. Blast Cleaning Abrasives 7.4 Any visible rust that forms on the surface of the steel
after blast cleaning shall be removed by recleaning the rusted
6.1 The selection of abrasive size and type shall be based areas to meet the requirements of this standard before coat-
on the type, grade, and surface condition of the steel to be ing. NOTE: Information on rust-back (re-rusting) and surface
cleaned, type of blast cleaning system employed, the finished condensation is contained in Sections A.6, A.7, and A.8 of
surface to be produced (cleanliness and roughness), and Appendix A.
whether the abrasive will be recycled.
8. Inspection
6.2 The cleanliness and size of recycled abrasives shall
be maintained to ensure compliance with this specification. 8.1 Work and materials supplied under this standard are
subject to inspection by a representative of those responsible
6.3 The blast cleaning abrasive shall be dry and free of for establishing the requirements. Materials and work areas
oil, grease, and other contaminants as determined by the test shall be accessible to the inspector. The procedures and times
methods found in SSPC-AB 1, AB 2 and AB 3. of inspection shall be as agreed upon by those responsible
for establishing the requirements and those responsible for
6.4 Any limitations on the use of specific abrasives, the performing the work.
quantity of contaminants, or the degree of allowable embed-
ment shall be included in the procurement documents (project 8.2 Conditions not complying with this standard shall be
specification) covering the work, because abrasive embedment corrected. In the case of a dispute, an arbitration or settlement
and abrasives containing contaminants may not be acceptable procedure established in the procurement documents (project
for some service requirements. NOTE: Additional information specification) shall be followed. If no arbitration or settlement
on abrasive selection is given in Section A.2 of Appendix A. procedure is established, then a procedure mutually agreeable
to purchaser and supplier shall be used.

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September 1, 2000
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

8.3 The procurement documents (project specification) Commentary (SSPC-SP COM). It is important to recognize that
should establish the responsibility for inspection and for any blasting abrasives may become embedded in or leave residues
required affidavit certifying compliance with the specifica- on the surface of the steel during preparation. While normally
tion. such embedment or residues are not detrimental, care should
be taken to ensure that the abrasive is free from detrimental
9. Safety and Environmental Requirements amounts of water-soluble, solvent-soluble, acid-soluble, or
other soluble contaminants (particularly if the prepared steel is
9.1 Because abrasive blast cleaning is a hazardous opera- to be used in an immersion environment). Criteria for selecting
tion, all work shall be conducted in compliance with applicable and evaluating abrasives are given in SSPC-AB 1, “Mineral
occupational and environmental health and safety rules and and Slag Abrasives,” SSPC-AB 2, “Cleanliness of Recycled
regulations. NOTE: SSPC-PA Guide 3, “A Guide to Safety Ferrous Metallic Abrasives,” and SSPC-AB 3, “Ferrous Metallic
in Paint Application,” addresses safety concerns for coating Abrasives
work.
A.3 SURFACE PROFILE: Surface profile is the roughness
10. Comments of the surface which results from abrasive blast cleaning. The
profile depth (or height) is dependent upon the size, shape,
10.1 Additional information and data relative to this standard type, and hardness of the abrasive, particle velocity and angle
are contained in Appendix A. Detailed information and data are of impact, hardness of the surface, amount of recycling, and the
presented in a separate document, SSPC-SP COM, “Surface proper maintenance of working mixtures of grit and/or shot.
Preparation Commentary.” The recommendations contained The allowable minimum/maximum height of profile is usu-
in Appendix A and SSPC-SP COM are believed to represent ally dependent upon the thickness of the coating to be applied.
good practice, but are not to be considered requirements of the Large particle sized abrasives (particularly metallic) can produce
standard. The sections of SSPC-SP COM that discuss subjects a profile that may be too deep to be adequately covered by a
related to near-white blast cleaning are listed below. single thin film coat. Accordingly, it is recommended that the
use of larger abrasives be avoided in these cases. However,
Subject Commentary Section larger abrasives may be needed for thick film coatings or to
Abrasive Selection ................................................6 facilitate removal of thick coatings, heavy mill scale, or rust.
Film Thickness ....................................................10 If control of profile (minimum/maximum) is deemed to be sig-
Wet Abrasive Blast Cleaning .............................. 8.2 nificant to coating performance, it should be addressed in the
Maintenance Repainting ....................................4.2 procurement documents (project specification). Typical profile
Rust-back (Re-rusting) .........................................8. heights achieved with commercial abrasive media are shown
Surface Profile ....................................................6.2 in Table 5 of the Surface Preparation Commentary (SSPC-SP
Visual Standards ................................................. 11 COM). Surface profile should be measured in accordance with
Weld Spatter....................................................4.4.1 NACE Standard RP0287 (latest edition), “Field Measurement
of Surface Profile of Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel Surfaces
Using Replica Tape,” or ASTM(1) D 4417 (latest edition), “Test
Appendix A. Explanatory Notes
Method for Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast
Cleaned Steel.”
A.1 FUNCTION: Near-white blast cleaning (SSPC-SP
10/NACE No. 2) provides a greater degree of cleaning than
A.4 VISUAL STANDARDS: SSPC-VIS 1, "Guide and
commercial blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 6/NACE No. 3) but
Reference Photographs for Seel Surfaces Prepared by Dry
less than white metal blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 5/NACE No.
Abrasive Blast Cleaning," provides color photographs for the
1). It should be used when a high degree of blast cleaning
various grades of surface preparation as a function of the initial
is required. The primary functions of blast cleaning before
condition of the steel. The series A-SP 10, B-SP 10, C-SP 10,
coating are: (a) to remove material from the surface that can
D-SP 10 and G-SP 10 photographs depict surfaces cleaned
cause early failure of the coating system and (b) to obtain a
to a near-white blast grade. Other available visual standards
suitable surface roughness and to enhance the adhesion of
are described in Section 11 of SSPC-SP COM.
the new coating system. The hierarchy of blasting standards is
as follows: white metal blast cleaning, near-white blast clean-
A.5 SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS: Surface imperfec-
ing, commercial blast cleaning, industrial blast cleaning, and
tions can cause premature failure when the service is severe.
brush-off blast cleaning.
Coatings tend to pull away from sharp edges and projections,
leaving little or no coating to protect the underlying steel. Other
A.2 ABRASIVE SELECTION: Types of metallic and non-
features that are difficult to properly cover and protect include
metallic abrasives are discussed in the Surface Preparation
crevices, weld porosities, laminations, etc. The high cost of

(1)
ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

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 SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2
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Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

the methods to remedy surface imperfections requires weigh- A.8 DEW POINT: Moisture condenses on any surface
ing the benefits of edge rounding, weld spatter removal, etc., that is colder than the dew point of the surrounding air. It is,
versus a potential coating failure. therefore, recommended that the temperature of the steel
Poorly adhering contaminants, such as weld slag residues, surface be at least 3 °C (5 °F) above the dew point during dry
loose weld spatter, and some minor surface laminations may blast cleaning operations. It is advisable to visually inspect for
be removed during the blast cleaning operation. Other surface moisture and periodically check the surface temperature and
defects (steel laminations, weld porosities, or deep corrosion dew point during blast cleaning operations and to avoid the
pits) may not be evident until the surface preparation has been application of coating over a damp surface.
completed. Therefore, proper planning for such surface repair
work is essential because the timing of the repairs may occur A.9 WET ABRASIVE BLAST CLEANING: Steel that is wet
before, during, or after the blast cleaning operation. Section abrasive blast cleaned may rust rapidly. Clean water should be
4.4 of SSPC-SP COM and NACE Standard RP0178 (latest used for rinsing. It may be necessary that inhibitors be added
edition), “Fabrication Details, Surface Finish Requirements, to the water or applied to the surface immediately after blast
and Proper Design Considerations for Tanks and Vessels to cleaning to temporarily prevent rust formation. The use of
be Lined for Immersion Service” contain additional information inhibitors or the application of coating over slight discoloration
on surface imperfections. should be in accordance with the requirements of the coating
manufacturer. CAUTION: Some inhibitive treatments may
A.6 CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION: Steel contaminated interfere with the performance of certain coating systems.
with soluble salts (e.g., chlorides and sulfates) develops
rust-back rapidly at intermediate and high humidities. These A.10 FILM THICKNESS: It is essential that ample coating
soluble salts can be present on the steel surface prior to blast be applied after blast cleaning to adequately cover the peaks of
cleaning as a result of atmospheric contamination. In addition, the surface profile. The dry film thickness of the coating above
contaminants can be deposited on the steel surface during the peaks of the profile should equal the thickness known to be
blast cleaning if the abrasive is contaminated. Therefore, needed for the desired protection. If the dry film thickness over
rust-back can be minimized by removing these salts from the the peaks is inadequate, premature rust-through or failure will
steel surface,, and eliminating sources of recontamination occur. To assure that coating thicknesses are properly measured
during and after blast cleaning. Wet methods of removal are the procedures in SSPC-PA 2 (latest edition), “Measurement
described in SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5. Identification of the of Dry Coating Thickness with Magnetic Gauges” should be
contaminants along with their concentrations may be obtained used.
from laboratory and field tests as described in SSPC-Guide
15, "Field Methods for Retrieval and Analysis of Soluble Salts A.11 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PAINTING: When this
on Steel and Other Nonporous Substrates.” standard is used in maintenance painting, specific instructions
should be given on the extent of surface to be blast cleaned
A.7 RUST-BACK: Rust-back (re-rusting) occurs when or spot blast cleaned to this degree of cleanliness. In these
freshly cleaned steel is exposed to moisture, contamination, cases, the cleaning shall be performed across the entire area
or a corrosive atmosphere. The time interval between blast specified. For example, if all weld seams are to be cleaned
cleaning and rust-back will vary greatly from one environ- in a maintenance operation, this degree of cleaning shall be
ment to another. Under mild ambient conditions, if chemical applied 100% to all weld seams. If the entire structure is to be
contamination is not present (see Section A.6), it is best to prepared, this degree of cleaning shall be applied to 100% of
blast clean and coat a surface the same day. Severe condi- the entire structure. SSPC-PA Guide 4 (latest edition), “Guide
tions may require more expedient coating application to avoid to Maintenance Repainting with Oil Base or Alkyd Painting
contamination from fallout. Chemical contamination should be Systems,” provides a description of accepted practices for
removed prior to coating (see Section A.6). retaining old sound coating, removing unsound coating, feath-
ering, and spot cleaning.

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