In the coating industry, inspectors are hired to ensure that a company's work meets quality standards and specifications. Outline of human kinetics / NACE International provides certification for inspection-related professions in several industries, including industrial coatings. NACE-approved inspector training focuses on proper inspection techniques, including radiation safety and chemical protection.
When you're the owner of a company that does industrial coatings, you should be proud. Your jobs will be exposed to some very harsh chemicals and conditions. It's good for business when you can guarantee your customers a tough finish on their parts. You've been doing excellent work, but it's time to step up your game. Work with a local coating inspector who is NACE certified in order to make sure all of your hard work has paid off. Learn more here.
Not all surfaces are smooth enough for paint application, especially when they're large objects such as tanks and chemical reactors which can't easily be moved or repainted if problems arise with the coating job. If your company applies a coating to a surface that is not optimum for paint adherence, your customer will be the first one to let you know. In these cases, there should be some visible thickness measurements taken as well as visual inspections.
The inspector should examine the part for any irregularities in preparation or application that may have been done by other subcontractors before you received it from the supplier. Picture frames and weldments which are intended for painting need to be sanded and degreased before they go through this process. Any coating inspector who walks away from these jobs without performing this step is an unqualified amateur.
Once every inch of the object has been carefully examined, it is good to take another pass with a more delicate touch using either ultrasonic methods or even a solvent test to be sure that there are no pinholes or other defects in the finish. This is the last chance you have to make your customers proud of their purchases.
The best inspectors are NACE certified which means they know which materials require strict treatment protocols and how to read surface irregularities for signs of incompatibility with coatings. You can always ask for references from previous clients who are satisfied with the work this inspector has done, but be sure to check these references personally before making any final decisions about whom you will hire. Make sure you feel confident doing business with this person because it's only after the sale has been made that problems may arise.
The common misconception is that if you are an expert in industrial surface preparation, coating application, and the materials used to finish parts for industry, you will automatically know how to inspect your own work. This is not true because every surface, even those which are relatively flat, have some level of curvature which requires careful observation with the right tools. Video inspections can help point out irregularities that may be difficult or impossible to see just by looking at them with your eyes alone.
It's easy enough to take a few cellphone pictures of small objects like machine parts but when it comes time to examine large surfaces such as steel tanks or water towers, it might be necessary to tag along with an experienced inspector to make sure the work is done correctly.
You may need to bring your own containment equipment in order to store parts that can't fit into a small envelope for shipping purposes. There are some things that simply cannot be evaluated properly without complete access to them, this includes physical dimensions, curvature, and even cleanliness before coating application begins. Atomic absorption spectroscopy testing of the pH level of water used during rinsing operations may also be necessary to talk with your inspector beforehand about how you can best prepare items for potential testing.
The key point is generally more thorough inspections are better than less so if you want customers who are satisfied with their new coatings, pay attention to all of these requirements or hire someone who will.
NACE International provides certification for inspection-related professions in several industries, including industrial coatings. NACE-approved inspector training focuses on proper inspection techniques, including radiation safety and chemical protection.
Coating inspectors typically hold a NACE Level II or III designation, which requires at least two years of experience in an industrial coating environment. NACE levels depend on knowledge and skills acquired from coursework as well as minimum hours spent actually inspecting products. A NACE-approved inspector education program can provide students with needed expertise within NACE Inspection criteria under Title 49 CFR 192 & 193. These classes cover specific topics such as calibration, NACE codes and standards, inspections techniques, and NACE N-Stamp requirements. Courses also impart safety knowledge to help protect inspectors from hazards when evaluating industrial coatings.
In order to properly inspect an industrial coating job, a NACE inspector must have the proper training in NACE Codes and Standards which may be completed during a NACEP approved inspector program.
A good coating inspector can help you avoid potential problems with your product and ensure that it meets all necessary safety and quality standards. By understanding what to look for when hiring a coating inspector, you can be confident in the products you produce and sell. Have you ever hired a coating inspector? What tips would you add to this list?
For more information on NACEP inspector programs, NACE Code courses or NACP inspector training visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACE_International