Surface preparation in container paints.

Steam cleaning/ high pressure fresh water cleaning

To remove all dirt, oil, grease, salts and other contaminants.

Hand tool cleaning

Applicable to damaged or rusted areas that are too small or inaccessible to justify the use of power
tools or abrasive blast cleaning.

Equipment - Metal scraper, cold chisel, wire brush, coarse abrasive paper, soft bristle duster
brush.
Purpose - To prepare metal surface for painting by removal of loose or flaking paint and
debris, weld spatter, loose dust, and any dust created by the cleaning operation.
Note - Keen attention should be taken to ensure removal of all rust and to avoid
polishing of the steel substrate.

Power tool cleaning

Applicable to areas too large for cleaning by hand tool but too small to justify the use of abrasive blast
cleaning. This method of cleaning is particularly suitable for areas of minor repair.

Equipment - Electrical or pneumatic tools fitted with wire brushes, sanding discs or impact
tools.
Purpose - To prepare metal surfaces for painting by removal of loose or flaking paint or
debris, weld spatter, loose rust or any dust created by the cleaning operation. It is
not possible that this method of cleaning will remove all mill scale.
Note - Particular care should be taken when using power wire brush cleaners that the
surface is cleaned from dust and other debris prior to painting, Also care should
be taken to avoid polishing of steel.

Abrasive blast cleaning

Applicable for all areas too large for cleaning by hand or power tools, particularly for major repair or full
refurbishment.

Equipment - Compressor of sufficient capacity. Blast machine complete with hoses, nozzles,
etc. Supply of correct size and quality blasting abrasive, safety equipment for
safety of operator.
Purpose - To prepare large areas of metal surface for painting by removal of existing paint,
weld spatter, loose rust, mill scale, and generally to prepare the surface for
subsequent painting by providing a clean rust free abrasive blasted substrate
according to the specified quality and profile.
Note - It is necessary to take care that anchor profile is not too sharp when abrasive
blast cleaning. The proper anchor profile of substrate is approximately 20
microns, and the maximum depth between valley and peak must not exceed
approximately 40 microns.

Criteria of cleaning degree

a). Hand tool cleaning : SSPC-SP 2, ISO 8501-St 2.

b). Power tool cleaning : SSPC-SP 3, ISO 8501-St3
c). Abrasive blast cleaning : SSPC-SP 10, ISO 8501-Sa 2½

Container Procedures, Page 1 of 2

Refurbishing Procedure.

Cosmetic refurbishment

Aims to bring a container, which is already in a good condition to standard container colour
by recoating the existing paint finish.

Procedure
1). Remove decals and door seals.
2). Thoroughly clean and degrease the whole container surface using steam cleaning or
high pressure fresh water cleaning similar method to remove all oil, grease, salt and
other contaminants.
3). Mask all remaining decals and door seals.
4). Hand tool or power tool cleaning, as mentioned in the surface preparation chapter
above of any areas of damage, corrosion or paint removal. Repainting should be
done before rerusting occurs (preferably, within 4 hours).
5). Apply the selected paint or paint system. The DFT to be applied will depend upon the
condition and age of the original coating.
6). Remove making after completion of painting.
7). Inspect coating and correct if necessary.
8). Re-decal and replace seals as necessary after drying.

Minor refurbishment

Applicable to containers showing small areas of paint film damage, corrosion or flaking.
These areas will be related to mechanical damage rather than paint film breakdown.

Procedure
1) Prepare any damaged areas by hand tool or power tool cleaning as mentioned in the
surface preparation section above.
2) Apply the selected paint or paint system. The DFT to be applied will depend upon the
condition and age of the original coating.

Complete refurbishment

Applicable to boxes showing severe corrosion in almost all areas. In case of removing all
existing old film of the whole exterior and/or interior surface by abrasive blast cleaning, the
selected refurbishment coating system should be increased by 10-20 microns dry film
thickness. However, a better protection is obtained by selecting a new construction coating
system.

Procedure
1) Removal all seals and decals.
2) Remove all paint by abrasive blast cleaning as mentioned in the surface preparation
section above. Repainting should be done before turning or rerusting occur
(preferably within 4 hours).
3) Apply the selected coating system for whole container inside and outside. Observe
drying and recoating times as mentioned in product datasheets.

Container Procedures, Page 2 of 2