TECHNICAL STANDARD
SSPC-SP 10 / NACE No. 2-2024
Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning
AMPP / SSPC / NACE
2024
Current
WHAT DOES THIS STANDARD COVER?
Defines the near-white degree of abrasive blast cleaning of steel surfaces before protective coating or lining application.
WHY IS IT RELEVANT?
One of the major surface-preparation standards encountered on protective coating projects and relevant to inspection of prepared structural steel. Do not reproduce AMPP’s detailed surface-cleanliness acceptance requirements or percentages.
KEY INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS
The standard addresses near-white metal blast cleaning of steel surfaces. It establishes a high degree of visual surface cleanliness while permitting limited residual staining in accordance with the applicable standard requirements. Inspection should assess the actual prepared surface against the specified preparation requirement. Surface profile, dust and soluble contamination remain separate inspection considerations.
WHAT THE STANDARD SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ASSUME
Near-white metal blast cleaning should not be described as white metal blast cleaning. The visual preparation requirement does not itself establish the required surface profile. A surface meeting the visual preparation condition can still require separate assessment for soluble salts, dust, oil, grease or other specified contamination.
PRACTICAL INSPECTION APPLICATION
The standard is widely relevant where a high degree of abrasive blast cleaning is specified. Inspectors can assess the complete prepared surface, including welds, edges, pits and difficult-access areas. Surface profile and contamination requirements should be verified independently where specified.
RELATED TECHNICAL STANDARDS
RELATED TECHNICAL TOPICS
Abrasive blast cleaning; Surface preparation; Steel surfaces
RELATED PIL GUIDANCE
Practical guidance on assessing abrasive blast-cleaned steel surface profile before protective coating application.
A structured approach to investigating protective coating failure through evidence, testing, sampling and project-record review.
RELATED EXPERTISE
Coating Inspection; Technical Consultancy
ABOUT THIS TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Paint Inspection Ltd provides this information to help inspectors, engineers, asset owners and contractors understand the practical relevance of commonly referenced protective coatings standards. This page is PIL technical guidance and does not reproduce or replace the published standard. Users should refer to the current published standard, project specification, coating manufacturer requirements and other applicable contract documents when establishing project requirements or acceptance criteria.
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OFFICIAL STANDARD
PIL technical summaries are intended to explain the inspection relevance of industry standards and do not replace the published document.
STATUS AND SOURCE VERIFICATION
Revised in 2024. AMPP states that the organisation of the standard was revised while the technical requirements for achieving near-white metal surface cleanliness were unchanged from the previous revision. Verified September 2026.