# AMPP CIP Level 1 exam-day sheet

Source: https://coatmentor.com/learn/exam-day/cip-1/ · Updated 2026-10-04

The rules and numbers for this exam, on one page you can print. Each section links to the page that explains it.

[Download the PDF](https://coatmentor.com/learn/exam-day/coatmentor-exam-day-cip-1.pdf) [Sheets for the other exams](https://coatmentor.com/learn/exam-day/)

## Film thickness

| Dry from wet | `DFT = WFT × VS ÷ 100` |
| --- | --- |
| Wet from dry | `WFT = DFT × 100 ÷ VS` |
| Wet from dry, with thinner | `WFT = DFT × (100 + thinner %) ÷ VS` |
| Theoretical spreading rate | `m²/L = 10 × VS % ÷ DFT µm` |
| Spreading rate, US units | `ft²/US gal = 1604 × VS % ÷ 100 ÷ DFT mils` |
| Mixing a:b by volume | `base = total × a ÷ (a + b)` |
| Units | 1 mil = 25.4 µm · °F = °C × 9 ÷ 5 + 32 |

More: [volume solids](https://coatmentor.com/learn/volume-solids/) · [calculators](https://coatmentor.com/calculators/) · [pot life](https://coatmentor.com/learn/pot-life/)

## Conditions

- Steel at least **3 °C above the dew point** during blasting, application and early cure (SSPC-PA 1 gives 5 °F); many specifications also cap relative humidity, often at 85 %.
- Read the steel temperature on the surface you will coat, with a contact thermometer.

More: [dew point and the 3 °C margin](https://coatmentor.com/learn/dew-point/)

## Surface preparation

| ISO 8501-1 | SSPC / NACE |
| --- | --- |
| Sa 3 | SSPC-SP 5 / NACE No. 1 (white metal) |
| Sa 2½ | SSPC-SP 10 / NACE No. 2 (near-white) |
| Sa 2 | SSPC-SP 6 / NACE No. 3 (commercial) |
| Sa 1 | SSPC-SP 7 / NACE No. 4 (brush-off) |

- Close counterparts, not identical definitions. SSPC-SP 1 solvent cleaning comes first; SP 2 and SP 3 remove only loose material; SP 11 gives bare metal with a profile.
- Profile (ASTM D4417): A comparator, B depth micrometer, C replica tape. Subtract the 2 mil (50.8 µm) film from a replica-tape reading.

More: [cleanliness grades](https://coatmentor.com/learn/surface-cleanliness/) · [ASTM D4417](https://coatmentor.com/standards/astm-d4417/)

## Dry film thickness

- **SSPC-PA 2, Level 3 (the default):** a spot is the average of 3 or more readings in a 4 cm circle; single readings are not restricted. An area is 5 spots in about 10 m². Each spot average at least 80 % of the minimum and at most 120 % of the maximum; each area average within the range.
- Verify gauges with reference standards at least at the start and end of each shift (ASTM D7091).

More: [SSPC-PA 2](https://coatmentor.com/standards/sspc-pa-2/) · [DFT acceptance calculator](https://coatmentor.com/calculators/dft-acceptance/)

## Tests

- Holiday testing (NACE SP0188): low-voltage wet sponge for films of 500 µm (20 mils) or less, high-voltage DC for thicker films, at the voltage the film thickness calls for. Too high a voltage damages sound film. Mark, repair and re-test every holiday.
- Compressed air (ASTM D4285): a white blotter in the air stream, after the separators, for about a minute. Any oil or water stain stops the work.

More: [holiday testing](https://coatmentor.com/learn/holiday-testing/) · [ASTM D4285](https://coatmentor.com/standards/astm-d4285/)

## Practical exam

Eight instrument stations, up to 10 minutes each: verify the instrument, take the readings, record and judge them against the stated values.

More: [the eight stations](https://coatmentor.com/practical/#cip1)

## Stop and ask

- Steel less than 3 °C above the dew point, or humidity above the specification's limit.
- Salts, dust or oil above the limits: soluble salts (ISO 8502-6 and -9), dust (ISO 8502-3), compressed air (blotter test, ASTM D4285).
- Mixed paint past its pot life, or a recoat window passed without the preparation the data sheet asks for.
- A hold point not yet released: stop until it is released. Work past an unreleased hold point, or work that does not meet the specification: record a nonconformance.

More: [hold points](https://coatmentor.com/learn/hold-points/) · [reports and NCRs](https://coatmentor.com/learn/inspection-reports/)