1 Scope
NOTE This standard governs surface preparation, priming, and finish coating of interior architectural substrates in commercial and institutional construction. (1.1)
NOTE The work includes furnishing all materials, equipment, and labor required to deliver a uniform, durable, and properly identified painted finish on walls, ceilings, exposed structure, hollow metal doors and frames, miscellaneous ferrous and galvanized metals scheduled to be painted, and interior wood. (1.2)
NOTE Painting is the last major trade to enter most spaces and is the work the owner sees every day; a poorly executed paint finish undoes the visual quality of the architecture regardless of how well every other trade has performed. (1.3)
1.4 The Contractor shall treat the work as a system, not a sequence of coats.
1.5 The substrate, the surface preparation, the primer, and the finish coats shall be coordinated so that the finished film bonds to the substrate, has the correct dry film thickness, and presents the specified sheen and color without telegraphing the underlying surface.
NOTE A finish coat is only as good as the preparation and primer beneath it; the most common cause of paint failure is inadequate surface preparation, not defective paint. (1.6)
1.8 Where paint is applied over substrates governed by other standards, the surface preparation and finish requirements of this standard control unless the referenced standard imposes a more stringent requirement.
2 Referenced Standards
| Standard |
Title |
| MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual |
Master Painters Institute product approvals and system designations |
| ASTM D3273 |
Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber |
| ASTM D3274 |
Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth |
| ASTM D4214 |
Evaluating Degree of Chalking of Exterior Paint Films |
| ASTM D2244 |
Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates |
| ASTM D523 |
Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss |
| ASTM D7088 |
Resistance to Hydrostatic Pressure for Coatings Used in Below-Grade Applications |
| ASTM D4541 |
Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers |
| ASTM D1186 |
Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to a Ferrous Base |
| ASTM D7091 |
Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings on Ferrous and Nonmagnetic Coatings on Non-Ferrous Metals |
| ASTM E84 |
Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials |
| SSPC-SP 1 |
Solvent Cleaning |
| SSPC-SP 2 |
Hand Tool Cleaning |
| SSPC-SP 3 |
Power Tool 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 Metal Blast Cleaning |
| SSPC-PA 1 |
Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting of Steel |
| SSPC-PA 2 |
Procedure for Determining Conformance to Dry Coating Thickness Requirements |
| 40 CFR Part 59 |
National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings |
| SCAQMD Rule 1113 |
Architectural Coatings (California) |
| CDPH Standard Method v1.2 |
Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers |
| LEED v4.1 IEQ |
Low-Emitting Materials credit requirements |
| GREENGUARD Gold |
UL emissions certification for sensitive environments |
| NFPA 101 |
Life Safety Code (interior finish flame spread requirements) |
| IBC Chapter 8 |
International Building Code — Interior Finishes |
2.1 All materials, surface preparation, and application shall comply with the latest edition adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction for each of the standards listed above.
2.2 Where the contract documents or a referenced standard impose a more stringent requirement than the minimum of any other standard, the more stringent requirement governs unless the Architect of Record directs otherwise in writing.
2.3 The MPI numbers cited in the system tables of this standard shall be taken as the minimum performance class required.
2.4 The Contractor shall verify current MPI product numbers against the latest published MPI manual at the time of submittal.
NOTE The MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual is the industry reference for paint product approval; MPI assigns a product designation number to coating products that pass MPI's performance tests for a given category, so specifying a coating by its MPI product number identifies a class of approved products from multiple manufacturers without naming any single brand. MPI product categories and numbers are updated periodically. (2.5)
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1 The Contractor shall submit the following for the Architect's review prior to procurement and installation:
- Product data for every coating product proposed, including the manufacturer's technical data sheet, the MPI product number and category, VOC content in grams per liter, recommended dry film thickness per coat, recommended coverage rate, and recoat windows
- Safety data sheets (SDS) for every coating product, thinner, and cleaner proposed for use on the project
- A complete color schedule cross-referencing every paint system to a finish symbol on the drawings and to a color identifier (manufacturer color code, custom color formulation, or owner-selected color)
- Painted-out drawdown samples of each color and sheen on the actual substrate type, minimum 8.5 inches × 11 inches, for the Architect's color review and approval
- A system schedule listing, for each substrate type, the primer, intermediate coat (if any), and finish coats by MPI product number, with manufacturer and product proposed for each MPI category
- Manufacturer certification that the proposed coatings comply with the project VOC requirements and the project low-emitting requirements (CDPH v1.2, GREENGUARD Gold, or LEED v4.1) where those requirements apply
- A mock-up schedule identifying which spaces and substrates will receive in-place mock-ups for color and finish approval
☑ Product data for every coating product
☐ Safety data sheets (SDS)
☐ Color schedule cross-referenced to drawings
☐ Drawdown samples on actual substrate
☐ Paint system schedule by substrate (MPI numbers)
☐ VOC and low-emitting compliance certification
☐ Mock-up schedule
3.1.2 No coating work shall begin until the corresponding action submittals have been reviewed and returned.
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1 The Contractor shall provide the following at project closeout:
- A final color and paint system schedule reflecting any approved changes from the original submittal
- Manufacturer warranty documentation for coatings carrying a manufacturer warranty
- Attic stock — labeled, sealed containers of each finish color, identified by room or finish symbol — delivered to the Owner
☑ Final color and paint system schedule
☑ Manufacturer warranty documentation
☐ Attic stock — labeled, sealed containers of each finish color
4 Quality Assurance
4.1 Single-Source Responsibility
● Required — one manufacturer for primer through finish on each substrate
○ Mixed system approved in writing by Architect
4.1.1 All coatings for a given paint system shall be supplied by a single manufacturer.
4.1.2 The same manufacturer's primer and intermediate and finish products shall be used through the complete system on each substrate.
4.1.3 The Contractor shall submit the system as a manufacturer-recommended package.
NOTE Substituting a primer from one manufacturer for a finish coat from another voids the manufacturer's system warranty and shifts compatibility risk to the Contractor. (4.1.4)
4.2 Applicator Qualifications
4.2.1 Painting shall be performed by an applicator regularly engaged in commercial and institutional interior painting of the scope required by this project, with a minimum of three years of comparable experience.
4.2.2 Personnel applying water-based epoxy systems, intumescent paints, or other specialty coatings shall be trained by the manufacturer of those products or shall demonstrate prior experience with the specific product class.
4.2.3 The Contractor shall identify the field superintendent who will be responsible for the painting work, and that person shall remain assigned through completion.
4.3 Mock-Ups
○ Yes — one mock-up per major substrate and finish combination
● Yes — color samples only (no in-place system mock-ups)
○ No
4.3.1 Where the contract documents require a mock-up, the Contractor shall produce in-place mock-ups of each major paint system on the actual substrate prior to production application.
4.3.2 Mock-ups shall demonstrate the complete system — surface preparation, primer, and finish coats — at the specified sheen and color, with the specified dry film thickness.
4.3.3 Mock-ups shall be reviewed and approved by the Architect before production work begins on that system.
4.3.4 Approved mock-ups shall remain in place through the project as the standard for acceptance.
4.4 Pre-Application Conference
4.4.1 Before painting begins, the Contractor shall hold a pre-application conference with the Architect and the Owner's representative to review the color schedule, the paint system schedule, the mock-up program, the sequence of work relative to other trades, the protection of adjacent surfaces, and the inspection and acceptance procedure.
4.4.2 The conference shall resolve all open color and sheen questions, and color decisions shall not be deferred into the field.
5 Environmental and Service Conditions
5.1 Temperature and Humidity During Application
5.1.1 Painting shall not be performed when ambient air temperature or surface temperature is below 50 °F (10 °C) or above 95 °F (35 °C) for water-based coatings, unless the manufacturer's published instructions permit a different range and the Architect approves it in writing.
5.1.2 Painting shall not be performed when ambient air temperature or surface temperature is below 45 °F (7 °C) or above 95 °F (35 °C) for solvent-based coatings, unless the manufacturer's published instructions permit a different range and the Architect approves it in writing.
5.1.3 Surface temperature shall be at least 5 °F above the dew point at the time of application and through the drying period to prevent condensation on freshly applied film.
5.1.4 Relative humidity shall be below 85 percent during application and through the initial dry of each coat.
5.1.5 Temperatures and humidity shall be maintained throughout the application and curing period, and rapid temperature swings that produce condensation shall be avoided.
NOTE High humidity slows drying, can cause blushing in solvent systems and surfactant leaching in latex systems, and increases the risk of microbial contamination of stored coatings. (5.1.6)
5.2 Lighting During Application and Inspection
5.2.1 Application areas shall be illuminated to a minimum of 80 foot-candles at the working surface during application and inspection.
5.2.2 The Contractor shall request supplemental construction lighting where the available illumination does not allow proper film inspection.
NOTE The lighting available during construction is rarely the same as the lighting under which the finished work will be viewed; specifying a Level 5 gypsum finish (per
Gypsum Board Assemblies) and a flat paint will not hide telegraphing if the construction lighting is dim and the finished space is brightly lit by clerestories or track fixtures.
(5.2.3) 5.3 Ventilation
5.3.1 Adequate ventilation shall be provided to remove solvent vapors and water vapor during application and curing, both for the safety of personnel and for proper film formation.
5.3.2 Manufacturer instructions for minimum air exchange rates during application shall be followed.
NOTE Stagnant air over a freshly applied latex film retains moisture in the film and slows drying, producing tackiness and poor block resistance. (5.3.3)
5.4 Substrate Moisture
● Required — moisture meter readings recorded for concrete, CMU, and wood substrates
○ Visual / contact inspection only
5.4.1 Concrete and concrete masonry substrates shall be cured for a minimum of 28 days, and the moisture content of the substrate at the time of application shall be within the coating manufacturer's published limits.
5.4.2 New gypsum board joints shall be fully cured and dry, with all joint compound and texture allowed to dry to the manufacturer's published moisture targets.
5.4.3 Wood substrates shall have a moisture content not exceeding 12 percent measured with a calibrated moisture meter.
5.4.4 Painting wet or under-cured substrates causes blistering, peeling, alkali burn, and color shifts and shall not be permitted.
6 Materials and Systems
6.1 All field-applied coatings shall be products approved under the MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual at the MPI category required by the system tables below.
6.2 Coatings shall be delivered to the project in the manufacturer's original sealed containers with all labels and MPI marking intact.
6.3 The Contractor shall not thin, tint, or modify products beyond what the manufacturer's published instructions allow.
6.4 Gypsum Board
● Latex sealer-primer (MPI 50 category)
○ PVA primer for new gypsum
○ Alkyd primer (where required for stain or marker blocking)
○ Interior latex — flat (MPI 53)
● Interior latex — eggshell (MPI 52)
○ Interior latex — satin (MPI 54)
○ Interior latex — semi-gloss (MPI 54 / 51)
○ Interior latex — gloss (MPI 114)
● Interior latex — flat (MPI 53)
○ Ceiling-specific flat latex (low-spatter, low-glare)
○ Interior latex — eggshell (where wash-down required)
1 finish coat
2 finish coats
3 finish coats (deep or saturated colors)
6.4.1 Interior gypsum board walls and ceilings shall receive one coat of latex sealer-primer (MPI 50 category) followed by two finish coats of interior latex paint at the sheen specified in the room finish schedule.
6.4.2 For ceilings, the default finish shall be a flat latex (MPI 53 category).
6.4.3 For walls in office, retail, and institutional spaces, the default finish shall be an eggshell latex (MPI 52 category).
6.4.4 Where higher washability is required — corridors, classrooms, restrooms, kitchens, and similar high-touch spaces — a satin or semi-gloss latex (MPI 54 or 51 category) shall be used in lieu of eggshell.
6.4.5 Two finish coats are required over the primer for all interior latex systems on gypsum board.
6.4.6 The Contractor shall apply additional coats as needed at no additional cost to achieve uniform coverage, regardless of the nominal number of coats specified.
NOTE Deep, saturated, or low-hide colors — particularly reds, yellows, and oranges — frequently require three finish coats to achieve uniform hide and color depth. (6.4.7)
6.5 Plaster and Veneer Plaster
6.5.1 Plaster substrates shall be cured to the plaster manufacturer's published schedule before painting and shall be tested for alkalinity.
6.5.2 Plaster shall receive one coat of latex sealer-primer (MPI 50) followed by two finish coats of latex at the specified sheen.
6.5.3 Where pH testing indicates surface alkalinity above 10, an alkali-resistant primer shall be used in lieu of the standard latex sealer.
6.6 Concrete and Concrete Masonry
● Latex block filler (MPI 4 — CMU)
○ Latex block filler (MPI 3 — concrete)
○ Alkali-resistant primer (high-pH substrates)
○ Water-based epoxy primer (high-moisture or chemical-resistance requirement)
● Interior latex — eggshell (MPI 52)
○ Interior latex — satin (MPI 54)
○ Interior latex — semi-gloss (MPI 54 / 51)
○ Water-based epoxy — semi-gloss (MPI 153, where chemical or scrub resistance required)
6.6.1 Interior concrete walls and concrete masonry walls that are scheduled to be painted shall receive one coat of latex block filler (MPI 4 category for CMU; MPI 3 category for cast-in-place concrete) followed by two finish coats of latex at the specified sheen.
6.6.2 Where the concrete or CMU surface will be subject to washing, sanitizing, or chemical exposure — back-of-house corridors, food service areas, locker rooms — a water-based epoxy finish (MPI 153 category) shall be used in lieu of standard latex for greater scrub resistance and chemical resistance.
NOTE Block filler fills the porosity of CMU to produce a smooth, uniform surface that finish coats can cover at standard spreading rates; without block filler, finish coats sink into the open texture of the block, requiring three to four additional coats to achieve coverage. Block filler is not a primer substitute on smooth cast-in-place concrete, but it is the correct primer for the open texture of split-face or standard CMU. Water-based epoxy retains the application convenience of latex but cures to a film with higher resistance to abrasion, cleaning chemicals, and intermittent moisture. (6.6.3)
SSPC-SP 1 — solvent cleaning only (shop-primed surfaces in good condition)
SSPC-SP 2 — hand tool cleaning
SSPC-SP 3 — power tool cleaning
SSPC-SP 6 / NACE No. 3 — commercial blast cleaning
● Rust-inhibitive alkyd primer (MPI 79)
○ Waterborne rust-inhibitive primer (MPI 107)
○ Universal metal primer (MPI 23 — touch-up over shop primer)
● Alkyd-modified latex semi-gloss (MPI 163)
○ Interior latex semi-gloss (MPI 54)
○ Alkyd semi-gloss (MPI 47, where solvent system permitted)
○ Urethane-modified alkyd semi-gloss (MPI 31, high-traffic doors and frames)
6.7.1 Interior ferrous metal that is scheduled to be painted — hollow metal door frames, hollow metal doors, exposed structural steel in finished spaces, miscellaneous fabricated steel — shall be cleaned to SSPC-SP 2 (hand tool) or SSPC-SP 3 (power tool) cleanliness at minimum, with SSPC-SP 6 commercial blast required where the contract documents call for it or where existing rust and mill scale cannot be removed by hand or power tools.
6.7.2 After cleaning, ferrous metal shall receive one coat of rust-inhibitive primer (MPI 79 alkyd category or MPI 107 waterborne category) followed by two finish coats of alkyd-modified latex semi-gloss (MPI 47/163 category) or interior latex semi-gloss (MPI 54 category), as scheduled.
6.7.3 Shop-primed ferrous metal items delivered with the manufacturer's primer intact shall be inspected at the project.
6.7.4 Damaged primer, rust, and unprimed welds and cut edges shall be cleaned and spot-primed with the same primer system before the finish coats are applied.
6.7.5 The shop primer shall not be field-painted until the Contractor has verified that the shop primer is compatible with the specified finish system.
NOTE Primer-finish incompatibility — for example, applying a strong solvent finish over a low-grade shop primer — causes lifting and wrinkling that cannot be corrected without complete removal and reapplication. (6.7.6)
○ Galvanized metal etch primer
● Waterborne primer for galvanized (MPI 134)
○ Vinyl wash primer
● Interior latex semi-gloss (MPI 54)
○ Alkyd-modified latex semi-gloss (MPI 163)
6.8.1 Galvanized metal that is scheduled to be painted shall be cleaned to remove oils, mill passivators, and white rust.
6.8.2 After cleaning, the galvanized surface shall receive one coat of a primer specifically formulated for galvanized substrates — either a galvanized metal etch primer or a waterborne acrylic primer recommended for direct application to galvanizing (MPI 134 category or equivalent) — followed by two finish coats.
6.8.3 Galvanized metal shall not be painted with a standard alkyd or latex primer designed for ferrous substrates, because such primers cause saponification of the binder at the zinc surface and rapid peeling.
6.9 Interior Wood
● Alkyd interior wood primer (MPI 39)
○ Latex interior wood primer (MPI 6)
○ Shellac-based stain-blocking primer (knots and bleed-prone wood)
● Interior latex semi-gloss (MPI 54)
○ Interior latex satin (MPI 54)
○ Alkyd semi-gloss (MPI 47, high-touch trim)
○ Urethane-modified alkyd semi-gloss (MPI 31, doors and built-ins)
6.9.1 Interior wood scheduled to receive an opaque painted finish shall be sanded smooth, dust removed, knots and resinous areas spot-primed with a shellac-based stain-blocking sealer to prevent bleed-through, and the full surface primed with an interior wood primer (MPI 39 alkyd category or MPI 6 latex category).
6.9.2 Two finish coats of interior latex or alkyd at the specified sheen shall follow the primer.
6.9.3 Where wood is to receive a transparent stained or natural finish, that work is not governed by this standard and shall be specified separately as a different system selection (stain, sealer, varnish or water-based polyurethane).
7 Sheen
○ Flat / matte (lowest gloss; hides substrate irregularities; not washable)
● Eggshell (low gloss; light wash tolerance; standard for offices)
○ Satin (moderate gloss; better wash tolerance)
○ Semi-gloss (washable; for high-touch and wet areas)
○ Gloss (highest washability and durability; reveals all substrate)
● Flat / matte (standard, minimizes light reflection and glare)
○ Eggshell (for ceilings requiring periodic wash-down)
● Semi-gloss
○ Satin
○ Gloss
7.1 Sheen shall be measured at a 60-degree specular gloss angle per ASTM D523.
7.2 The default combination for commercial office and institutional space shall be eggshell on walls and flat on ceilings.
7.3 Semi-gloss shall be the default on trim and doors.
7.4 In corridors, classrooms, restrooms, and other high-traffic or high-touch spaces, walls shall step up to satin or semi-gloss.
NOTE Sheen is the single most consequential decision a specifier makes about a paint finish after color; it determines washability, the way the finish telegraphs substrate irregularities, and the visual character of the surface. Higher sheens are more washable and durable but more revealing of every imperfection in the substrate and the application; lower sheens hide irregularities but cannot tolerate repeated cleaning without burnishing. Flat and eggshell paints do not survive repeated wiping without polishing into burnished spots that are visually obvious under raking light. (7.5)
8 VOC and Sustainability
8.1 VOC Content
○ Federal 40 CFR Part 59 (default minimum)
● SCAQMD Rule 1113 / California limits
○ Project-specific (lower than SCAQMD per Owner)
8.1.1 All coatings shall comply with the applicable VOC content limits in grams per liter as required by the jurisdiction in which the project is located.
8.1.2 The default federal limit under 40 CFR Part 59 shall apply where no stricter state or local requirement is in force.
8.1.3 In California and in projects pursuing low-emitting requirements for LEED or other rating systems, SCAQMD Rule 1113 limits or equivalent shall apply.
NOTE Specifying SCAQMD Rule 1113 limits is recommended even in jurisdictions outside California because the major US paint manufacturers maintain product lines that comply with those limits and the incremental cost over federal-limit products is negligible. Lower VOC limits reduce odor during construction, allow earlier occupancy, and support indoor air quality goals across project types. (8.1.4)
8.2 Low-Emitting and Sustainability
○ CDPH Standard Method v1.2 (LEED v4.1 IEQ — Low-Emitting Interiors)
○ GREENGUARD Gold (schools, healthcare, sensitive environments)
● Not required
8.2.1 Where the project pursues LEED v4.1 Indoor Environmental Quality credits for low-emitting interiors, or where the Owner requires it, all interior coatings shall be certified as compliant with the CDPH Standard Method v1.2 emissions criteria or shall be certified to GREENGUARD Gold.
8.2.2 The Contractor shall provide manufacturer certification of compliance with the submittal.
NOTE CDPH v1.2 evaluates 14-day chamber emissions against modeled room exposure for a list of volatile organic compounds; GREENGUARD Gold imposes a stricter version of the same evaluation appropriate for schools and healthcare. (8.2.3)
8.3 Antimicrobial and Mold-Resistant Coatings
○ Required at humid or microbially sensitive spaces
● Not required
8.3.1 In areas subject to elevated humidity or where microbial growth on coated surfaces is a concern — kitchens, locker rooms, healthcare ancillary spaces — coatings with antimicrobial additives that resist surface mold growth per ASTM D3273 may be specified.
8.3.2 Antimicrobial coatings shall not be relied upon as a substitute for proper humidity control and ventilation.
NOTE Antimicrobial products do not eliminate the underlying cause of moisture or contamination. (8.3.3)
8.4 Surface Burning Characteristics
8.4.1 Interior wall and ceiling finishes shall meet the flame spread and smoke developed requirements of NFPA 101 and the IBC for the occupancy and the location within the egress system.
8.4.2 The Contractor shall provide ASTM E84 Class A documentation for any coating where the contract documents require it.
NOTE Standard architectural paints applied at normal dry film thickness over noncombustible substrates do not change the surface burning classification of the substrate; however, heavy coatings, textured coatings, or coatings applied to combustible substrates may require ASTM E84 documentation. (8.4.3)
9 Color
● Manufacturer standard colors per color schedule
○ Custom colors matched to architect-supplied standard
○ Owner-supplied corporate or branded colors
Per drawings — color schedule
9.2 The Contractor shall match colors to within a tolerance of ΔE 2.0 calculated per ASTM D2244 from the approved standard, measured with a spectrophotometer on a cured film.
9.3 Color matches that fall outside the tolerance shall be rejected and corrected.
9.4 For custom-matched and saturated colors, the Contractor shall produce drawdown samples on the actual substrate at the actual film build and shall obtain written approval before bulk tinting.
9.5 Bulk-tinted product that does not match the approved standard shall not be applied; it shall be remixed or replaced.
9.6 Significant color differences between batches of bulk-tinted product shall be eliminated by boxing — combining batches into a single container and stirring uniformly — before application on continuous wall surfaces.
10 Surface Preparation
10.1 The Contractor shall not begin priming until each substrate has been prepared as described below and accepted by the field superintendent.
NOTE Surface preparation is the single most consequential aspect of the paint work; the labor and material cost of surface preparation typically exceeds the cost of the coating itself, and almost every paint failure observed in service can be traced to inadequate preparation. (10.2)
10.3 General Surface Preparation
10.3.1 All substrates shall be clean, dry, sound, and free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, wax, mildew, efflorescence, loose material, and surface contaminants before any coating is applied.
10.3.2 Surfaces shall be inspected under adequate light and any deficiencies shall be corrected — cleaning, sanding, filling, or substrate replacement — before priming.
10.3.3 Coating shall not be used to hide defects in the substrate.
10.4 Gypsum Board
10.4.1 Gypsum board shall be at the finish level required by the room finish schedule (see Gypsum Board Assemblies for finish level definitions). 10.4.2 Joints, fastener heads, and accessories shall be fully treated, sanded smooth, and dust-free.
10.4.3 Loose dust from sanding shall be removed by vacuuming or by wiping with a tack cloth, not by sweeping with a broom.
10.4.4 Damage to the board face — scratches, gouges, blue paper from sanding through the joint compound — shall be touched up with joint compound, sanded, and dust-removed before priming.
10.5 Plaster
10.5.1 Plaster shall be cured and dry.
10.5.2 Hairline cracks and minor defects shall be filled with patching compound and sanded smooth.
10.5.3 Cracks larger than 1/16 inch indicate substrate movement and shall be evaluated for an underlying cause before being filled.
NOTE Filling a structural crack with patching compound does not stop the cracking, and the finish will fail within the warranty period. (10.5.4)
10.6 Concrete and Concrete Masonry
☑ Allow 28-day minimum cure
☐ Remove form-release agents and curing compounds
☐ Remove laitance and efflorescence
☐ Fill voids and tie holes
☐ Acid etch or mechanical profile (smooth concrete)
☐ Test surface pH (alkali-sensitive systems)
10.6.1 Concrete and CMU shall be cured for a minimum of 28 days.
10.6.2 Form-release agents, curing compounds, laitance, efflorescence, and surface contaminants shall be removed by mechanical cleaning, light abrasive blasting, or chemical etching as required.
10.6.3 Smooth-troweled or burnished concrete may require light etching to develop a profile sufficient for primer adhesion.
10.6.4 Open holes, tie holes, and surface voids shall be filled with patching compound or grout, allowed to cure, and smoothed before priming.
10.7.1 Ferrous metal shall be cleaned of all oil, grease, and surface contamination per SSPC-SP 1 (solvent cleaning) as a baseline, then mechanically cleaned to the SSPC level required by the system table — typically SSPC-SP 2 or SP 3 for interior architectural ferrous metal, SP 6 commercial blast where existing mill scale or rust is present.
10.7.2 Welds, cut edges, and abraded areas of shop-primed steel shall be spot-cleaned and spot-primed before the field primer is applied.
10.7.3 Ferrous metal shall not be painted over rust, mill scale, or oily metal regardless of the urgency of the construction schedule, because painting over such surfaces causes immediate primer failure.
10.8.1 Galvanized metal shall be cleaned with a mild alkaline detergent and rinsed thoroughly to remove storage oils, mill passivators, and white rust.
10.8.2 The cleaned surface shall be allowed to dry completely before primer application.
NOTE Wash primers and etch primers convert the surface chemistry to one that accepts the finish primer; without them, no standard primer will bond reliably to a smooth galvanized surface. (10.8.3)
10.9 Wood
10.9.1 Wood shall be sanded with the grain to a smooth finish.
10.9.2 Knots, sap pockets, and resinous areas shall be spot-primed with a shellac-based stain-blocking sealer to prevent the tannins and resins from bleeding through the finish coats.
10.9.3 Nail holes, screw holes, and minor defects shall be filled with a flexible wood filler after the primer is applied.
10.9.4 Dust from sanding shall be removed with a tack cloth before priming.
NOTE Filling before priming causes the filler to telegraph through the finish because the unprimed wood absorbs the filler oils. (10.9.5)
11 Application
11.1 General Application Requirements
11.1.1 All coatings shall be applied by experienced painters using equipment and techniques appropriate to the product and the substrate.
11.1.2 The applicator shall produce a continuous, uniform film at the manufacturer's recommended dry film thickness, with no holidays, runs, sags, ropy texture, lap marks, brush marks, or other irregularities visible from normal viewing distance under the lighting conditions of the finished space.
11.1.3 The Contractor shall thin coatings only as the manufacturer's instructions allow, because thinning beyond the published limits reduces film build and durability.
11.2 Application Methods
● Roller with brush cut-in
○ Spray with backroll
○ Spray only
○ Brush
○ Roller (smooth roller cover) with brush cut-in
● Airless spray
○ HVLP spray
11.2.1 Brush, roller, and spray are all acceptable application methods provided that each method produces a uniform film.
11.2.2 The default method for interior walls and ceilings shall be roller, with brush or spray cut-in at edges, corners, and trim transitions.
11.2.3 Smooth metal doors and frames shall typically be sprayed for the most uniform finish.
11.2.4 The Contractor shall match application method to the mock-up so that the finished work matches the approved sample.
11.3 Coat Sequence and Recoat Times
11.3.1 Each coat shall be applied only after the previous coat has dried for the manufacturer's published recoat time.
11.3.2 Recoat times depend on temperature and humidity and shall be extended in conditions that slow drying.
11.3.3 Each coat shall be inspected for runs, sags, and missed areas and corrected before the next coat is applied.
NOTE Applying a coat before the previous coat is dry traps solvents and water in the film, producing soft, slow-drying, and adhesion-deficient layers. (11.3.4)
11.4 Roller and Brush Discipline
11.4.1 When rolling, the applicator shall maintain a wet edge — continuously rolling into the freshly applied film rather than rolling back into a coat that has begun to skin.
11.4.2 Roller laps shall be feathered into the previously rolled area to avoid visible lap marks.
11.4.3 When brushing, brushes shall be loaded properly, strokes shall be laid off in one direction at the end of each section, and brush marks shall be eliminated by working the film while it is still wet.
11.5 Spray Application
11.5.1 Spray work shall be performed only in areas that can be fully masked and protected.
11.5.2 Spray equipment shall be set to the manufacturer's specifications for the product being applied.
11.5.3 Mist coats and full-build coats shall be coordinated so that the total film thickness matches the system requirement.
NOTE Spray application produces the most uniform film when properly executed but introduces risks of overspray contamination of adjacent surfaces, dry-fall on detail work, and uneven film build at edges. (11.5.4)
12 Coverage Rates and Dry Film Thickness
○ Visual inspection only
● Wet film thickness gauge at application
○ Dry film thickness gauge per ASTM D1186 / D7091 (ferrous substrates)
○ SSPC-PA 2 procedure (where contractually required)
12.1 Each coat shall be applied at the manufacturer's recommended spreading rate, measured in square feet per gallon, to achieve the dry film thickness required for the system.
12.2 The Contractor shall not exceed the published maximum spreading rate, because exceeding it produces inadequate film build and poor coverage.
12.3 The Contractor shall not over-apply the product, because over-thick application produces runs, sags, and slow drying.
12.4 For coatings on ferrous metal, the Contractor shall verify dry film thickness with a magnetic or eddy-current dry film thickness gauge in accordance with ASTM D1186 or ASTM D7091, taking readings at the frequency required by SSPC-PA 2.
12.5 Where the measured thickness falls below the system minimum, additional coats shall be applied.
12.6 Where the thickness substantially exceeds the maximum, the cause shall be identified and corrected before further work proceeds.
13 Mock-Ups
● Required — inspected under finished-space lighting before approval
○ Inspected under construction lighting only
13.1 In-place mock-ups shall be constructed at the start of the work for each major system on each major substrate, sized and located as directed by the Architect (typically 100 square feet of wall in a representative space).
13.2 Mock-ups shall show the complete system — preparation, primer, intermediate coats if any, and finish coats — at the specified sheen, color, and dry film thickness.
13.3 The mock-up shall be inspected under the lighting conditions of the finished space, approved in writing by the Architect, and retained as the standard of acceptance for production work.
14 Protection of Adjacent Work
● Required — all removable items taken off, painted around, and reinstalled
○ Masked in place at Owner's risk
14.1 The Contractor shall protect all adjacent work — finished floors, glazing, casework, ceiling grid, hardware, and mechanical and electrical devices — from paint, overspray, drips, and incidental damage.
14.2 Protection shall be installed before painting begins in a space and shall remain in place through the curing of the final coat.
14.3 Masking tape used directly on finished surfaces shall be a type intended for that surface and shall be removed within the tape manufacturer's recommended window to avoid adhesive transfer.
14.4 Hardware, escutcheons, switch plates, cover plates, and similar items shall be removed before painting and reinstalled afterward, not painted in place.
14.5 Removed items shall be stored with their fasteners and reinstalled in their original locations.
NOTE Painting hardware in place — by masking or by careless cutting in — leaves a paint film on the hardware that visibly differs from the painted surface and that fails to clean up cleanly when the hardware is later removed for service. (14.6)
15 Inspection
15.1 The Architect, the Owner's representative, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the right to inspect the work at every stage — substrate preparation, primer, intermediate coats, and finish coats — before the next operation proceeds.
15.2 The Contractor shall provide reasonable notice of the readiness of each stage for inspection and shall not proceed past an inspection point without the inspection or without written waiver.
15.3 Defective work — including unacceptable color, sheen, dry film thickness, runs and sags, holidays, lap marks, missed spots, and any other deviation from the mock-up or contract requirements — shall be corrected by the Contractor at no additional cost.
15.4 Touch-up of defective work in a way that produces visible color or sheen differences from the surrounding film is not acceptable.
NOTE Correction may require additional coats, complete removal and re-application, or in extreme cases, substrate replacement. (15.5)
16 Touch-Up
○ Touch-up acceptable where invisible at normal viewing distance
● Repaint corner-to-corner where touch-up flashes
○ Repaint entire room/space at any visible touch-up
16.1 The Contractor shall provide touch-up of incidental damage caused by other trades or by normal construction handling prior to substantial completion.
16.2 Touch-up shall be performed with the same paint, applied with the same method, at the same film build as the original work.
16.3 Where touch-up cannot be performed invisibly — typically on lower-sheen finishes over large flat surfaces with raking light — the affected wall surface shall be repainted from corner to corner.
17 Cleaning
17.1 At completion of the work in each space, the Contractor shall remove all masking, protection, drop cloths, and debris from the space.
17.2 Paint spatter on glazing, floors, hardware, casework, and other finished surfaces shall be cleaned.
17.3 The Contractor shall not use solvents or scrapers that damage the surface from which paint is being removed; floor scrapers shall not be used on resilient flooring and razor blades shall not be used on tempered glass.
17.4 Coating containers, thinners, and rags contaminated with oxidative finishes (alkyds, oil-based stains) shall be removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
17.5 Rags contaminated with oxidative finishes shall be stored in sealed metal containers until removed from the site because spontaneous combustion of such rags is a documented fire risk.
18 Attic Stock
1 gallon per color
1 quart per color (small areas)
5 percent of installed quantity per color
Per Owner direction
18.1 The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner, at substantial completion, attic stock of each finish color and sheen in sealed, labeled containers.
18.2 The labels shall identify the manufacturer, product, color formula, sheen, and the rooms or finish symbols in which the product was used.
19 Warranty
19.1 Manufacturer's Warranty
19.1.1 Coating products shall be warranted by the manufacturer against defects in materials for a minimum period of one year from substantial completion.
19.1.2 Manufacturers offering longer system warranties (5- or 10-year systems) may be specified where the Owner requires extended coverage, provided that the system is approved by the manufacturer for the substrate and conditions of the project.
19.2 Installer's Warranty
1 year from substantial completion
2 years from substantial completion
19.2.1 The Contractor shall warrant the painting work — including surface preparation, primer, finish coats, and protection of adjacent work — against defective workmanship for the project warranty period.
19.2.2 The Contractor's warranty shall include repainting affected areas to a condition equivalent to the original work, corner-to-corner where partial touch-up would produce a visible flash.
NOTE Workmanship defects include peeling, blistering, flaking, premature chalking, color drift exceeding the specified tolerance, lap marks, sheen variations, and adhesion failure that is not caused by substrate movement or by water damage from other sources. (19.2.3)
19.3 Conditions Voiding Warranty
19.3.1 The warranty does not cover damage from water infiltration originating outside the painted surface, damage from impact, abrasion, or chemical exposure beyond the design service of the coating, damage from subsequent modifications by others, or normal weathering and color drift within the manufacturer's published color tolerance over time.
19.3.2 Failures caused by inadequate humidity control during the warranty period — for example, persistent condensation on cool walls in an under-ventilated space — are excluded as environmental, not workmanship.