SSPC-Guide 14
May 1, 1999
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
TECHNOLOGY Guide No. 14
Guide for the Repair of Imperfections in Galvanized, Organic,
or Inorganic Zinc-Coated Steel Using Organic Zinc-Rich Coatings
1. Scope
1.1 This guide describes one method for repairing gal-
vanized, organic, or inorganic zinc coatings using an organic
zinc-rich coating. ASTM A 780 briefly describes this and other
alternative methods (metallizing and zinc-based solders) for
repair of damaged and uncoated areas of hot-dip galvanized
coatings.
1.2 This method is intended to repair imperfections resulting
from application, welding, cutting, drilling, grinding, abrading,
or rough handling during transport or erection. It may also be
used to repair imperfections in galvanizing, organic, or inor-
ganic zinc coating that have occurred from weathering during
storage or after erection.
1.3 This method can also be used to repair topcoated
galvanizing, organic, or inorganic zinc coating.
1.4 This guide is intended for use to supplement the coat-
ing manufacturer’s printed instructions and literature.
2. Description
2.1 This method consists of selecting organic zinc-rich
coatings and topcoats and preparing and applying the coatings
to damaged galvanizing, organic or inorganic zinc coating.
2.2 This method is intended for repairing localized imper-
fections where the major portion of the existing zinc coating is
intact.
2.3 Organic zinc-rich coatings are suitable for repairing
damaged zinc coatings because they combine several favor-
able properties. They can be readily applied by brush or spray
under field conditions to small and irregular shapes and are
compatible with both zinc and steel substrates.
3. Referenced Standards
3.1 SSPC STANDARDS:
PA 1 Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting
of Steel
1
Joint standards may also be obtained from NACE International at http://nace.org
2
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 or online at http://www.astm.org
1
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
PA 2 Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness
with Magnetic Gages
PA 3 A Guide to Safety in Paint Application
Paint 5 Zinc Dust, Zinc Oxide, and Phenolic
Varnish Paint
Paint 20 Zinc-Rich Coating Type I –Inorganic
and Type II–Organic
Paint 29 Zinc Dust Sacrificial Primer, Performance-
Based
PS Guide 12.00 Guide to Zinc-Rich Coating Systems
SP 1 Solvent Cleaning
SP 2 Hand Tool Cleaning
SP 3 Power Tool Cleaning
SP 11 Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal
SP 15 Commercial Grade Power Tool Cleaning
3.2 SSPC/NACE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:1
SSPC-SP 5/NACE No. 1 White Metal Blast Cleaning
SSPC-SP 6/NACE No. 3 Commercial Blast Cleaning
SSPC-SP 7/NACE No. 4 Brush-Off Blast Cleaning
SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2 Near-White Blast Cleaning
SSPC-SP 14/NACE No. 8 Industrial Blast Cleaning
SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5 Surface Preparation and
Cleaning of Metals by Water-
jetting Prior to Recoating
3.3 ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:2
A 780 Practice for Repair of Damaged and
Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized
Coatings
4. Selecting Materials
4.1 GENERAL: Compositions and performances of
organic zinc-rich primers vary with regard to the individual
resin system, the level of metallic zinc, the volatile organic
compound (VOC) content, along with other formulation vari-
ables. It is often desirable to require the zinc-rich coatings to
meet performance criteria to verify that they can withstand the
corrosion and weathering environments to which they will be
subjected. Some performance tests are described in SSPC-
Paint 20 and SSPC-Paint 29. Coating selection can best be
SSPC-Guide 14
May 1, 1999
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
made from actual field testing of candidate coatings in the
environment in which the coatings are to be located.
The paragraphs below describe some of the decisions
to be made when selecting an organic zinc-rich repair primer.
SSPC-PS Guide 12.00 provides general information on the
description, selection, and application of zinc-rich coatings
and the selection of topcoats.
4.2 TYPE OF BINDER: Organic zinc-rich coating formula-
tions are available with a variety of binders. The choice of a
particular generic type of binder is up to the user. The most
common binders for organic zinc-rich primers are two-compo-
nent epoxy, epoxy ester, and moisture-curing polyurethane.
4.3 METALLIC ZINC LEVELS: Suppliers, applicators,
and owners do not agree on the metallic zinc level (or loading)
necessary for long-term protection of steel by organic zinc-rich
coatings. The user can select any metallic zinc level found to
provide the best performance, or conversely, not specify a
zinc level. SSPC-Paint 20 defines three levels of zinc dust by
weight present in the dried film as follows:
Level 1 equal to or greater than 85%
Level 2 equal to or greater than 77% and less than 85%
Level 3 equal to or greater than 65% and less than 77%
The above levels may be used to specify zinc loading of
repair products meeting requirements of SSPC-Paints 5, 20,
and 29 and ASTM A 780. The user may specify any percent-
age of zinc loading (for example 95%) if desired.
4.4 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) CONTENT:
The VOC content of organic zinc-rich coatings used for repair
may vary widely. Each coating, after recommended thinning,
must conform to published government regulations regarding
VOC content. VOC information should be supplied on the label
or the technical data sheet. Various governmental agencies may
have different VOC limits or use different methods of testing.
The owner may modify the coating specification as necessary
to specify a particular VOC content limit consistent with local
TABLE 1
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SURFACE PREPARATION
Dry Abrasive
Service Environment Blast
Immersion SP 10
Splash/Spillage SP 10
Chemical Fume, Neutral pH SP 6
Atmospheric SP 7
2
regulations. Organic zinc-rich coatings used for repair usually
have a VOC level less than 500 g/L (4.2 lb/gal).
4.5 TOPCOAT SELECTION: If a topcoat is to be applied
over the zinc-rich primer, select the topcoat in accordance
with SSPC-PS Guide 12.00 Topcoating will usually provide
additional service life to both zinc-rich primers and hot-dip
galvanized coating. Topcoats must be formulated not only for
environmental resistance, but also for compatibility with the
organic zinc-rich coating, hot-dip galvanizing, or inorganic zinc
coating. Generally, topcoating will be required in more severe
environments, as recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Procedures
5.1 SURFACE PREPARATION
5.1.1 Identify Damaged Areas: Visually identify dam-
aged areas based on deterioration of the zinc, rusting of steel
substrate, disbondment, or other defects of the zinc coating.
5.1.2 Select Surface Preparation Methods: Suitable
methods include:
· Hand and power tools SSPC-SP2, SSPC-SP3, SSPC-
SP 15, or SSPC-SP 11
· Watterjetting SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5
· Abrasive blast cleaning SSPC-SP 5/NACE No. 1, SSPC-
SP 10/NACE No. 2, SSPC-
SP 6/NACE No. 3, SSPC-SP
14/NACE No. 8, or SSPC-SP
7/NACE No. 4, depending upon
the service environment.
Table 1 can be used as a general guideline for appropriate
surface preparation for a variety of exposures. In all cases,
the surface cleanliness should be at least as great as that
recommended by the supplier of the primer.
5.1.3 Surface Contaminants: Remove all grease, oil,
corrosion by-products, dirt, and other surface contaminants
Hand or
SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. Power Tool
5, Waterjetting Cleaning
WJ 2 None
WJ 2 SP 11
WJ 3 SP 11
WJ 4 SP 2

from the areas with imperfections and from the existing intact
coating within a minimum of five centimeters (two inches) of
these areas by solvent cleaning or detergent washing (SSPC-
SP 1), or other approved method.
5.1.4 Topcoated Areas: If any of the areas to be repaired
consist of topcoated galvanized steel or topcoated inorganic
zinc, all loose topcoat in the damaged area must be completely
removed exposing an area of intact zinc coating surrounding
the damaged area.
5.1.5 Weld Preparations: If the area to be repaired con-
tains welds, all flux residue and weld spatter must be removed
by blast cleaning or through mechanical means. See Section
4.4.1 of the SSPC Surface Preparation Commentary3 regard-
ing removal of weld spatter).
5.2 REPAIRS WITH ZINC-RICH COATING
5.2.1 Application: Apply the zinc-rich coating to the pre-
pared surface by brush or spray according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations and SSPC-PA 1. If a conflict exists between
SSPC-PA 1 and the manufacturer’s printed recommendations,
the latter should be followed. The patch of organic zinc-rich
coating must extend a minimum of five centimeters (two inches)
over the undamaged zinc coated surface. specification should
explicitly staten the extent of repair overlap, especially if more
than five centimeters (two inches) is required.
5.2.2 Application Temperature: In general, solvent-
borne organic zinc-rich coatings should be applied only at
temperatures above 7°C (45°F) and relative humidities below
85%. Waterborne products may have other limitations. In all
cases, consult the manufacturer’s literature for temperature,
humidity, and ventilation requirements, especially when the
expected exposure is above 66°C (150°F).
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SSPC Painting Manual, Volume 2, Systems and Specifications..
SSPC-Guide 14
May 1, 1999
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
5.2.3 Pot Life: Multiple component zinc-rich coatings must
be applied within the pot life specified by the supplier, and the
coating should be continuously agitated during application.
5.2.4 Dry Film Thickness: The dry film thickness of the
organic zinc-rich coating should be that recommended by the
manufacturer. Normally this is between 75 micrometers (3 mils)
and 150 micrometers (6 mils). Dry film thicknesses should be
measured in accordance with SSPC-PA 2.
5.2.5 Safety: Observe all safe handling procedures de-
scribed in the product material safety data sheet (MSDS) and
SSPC-PA Guide 3.
5.3 TOPCOATING: If a topcoat is specified, the application
of the topcoat should be in accordance with SSPC-PS Guide
12.00 or the manufacturer’s printed instructions.
6. Disclaimer
6.1 This guide is designed to describe, review, or analyze
new or improved technology and does not meet the definition
of a standard as defined by SSPC. A guide differs from a stan-
dard in that it is not suitable for referencing in a specification
or procurement document.
6.2 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all in-
formation furnished in SSPC guides is as accurate, complete,
and useful as possible, SSPC cannot assume responsibility
nor incur any obligation resulting from the use of any materials,
coatings, or methods described herein, or of the guide itself.
6.3 This guide does not attempt to address problems
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
guide, as well as the user of all products or practices described
herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate health and safety
practices and for ensuring compliance with all governmental
regulations.