What is the primary purpose of SSPC-SP 1?

The primary purpose of SSPC-SP 1 is to provide guidelines for cleaning and removing oil, grease, dirt, and other contaminants from surfaces prior to painting. This standard is essential because the presence of contaminants like oil and grease can significantly affect the adhesion of paint to the substrate, leading to potential failures in the coating system. By ensuring that surfaces are properly cleaned according to the SSPC-SP 1 standard, inspectors can help guarantee that the coatings applied will bond effectively, enhancing their durability and performance.

The focus of this standard is specifically on the cleaning process, rather than the preparation of steel surfaces for painting in a broader sense, which involves other methods such as abrasive blasting. While removing loose surface contaminants is part of the cleaning process, SSPC-SP 1 emphasizes the removal of specific types of oil and grease. Measuring dry film thickness is unrelated to the cleaning process and is addressed by other standards, focusing on the quality of the applied coating rather than surface preparation.