Abstract
A method to test new surface preparation techniques for preparing existing offshore structures for maintenance painting has been developed. A method was developed to pre-rust test panels with salt water to simulate heavy offshore rust scale, then remove the rust scale using either waterjetting or dry abrasive blasting followed by power washing. Surface preparation was performed with and without cleaning additives in the water. Salt levels were measured during the surface preparation processes. The twelve inch by twenty-four-inch (305 mm X 610 mm) test panels were then coated with epoxy at a total dry film thickness of 16 to 20 dry mils (400 μm to 500 μm). Test specimens cut from these panels were subjected to ISO 20340(1) testing by major oil company and are being exposed per ASTM G-50(4) for five years at the NASA Beachside Atmospheric Test Facility at the Kennedy Space Center. This paper will explain how the tests were conducted, how effective each method was at removing salts, and how the coatings performed in the ISO and NASA tests. It will also describe how long the cleaning additive prevented flash rust in offshore conditions, and its effect on performance.
