AMPP CAS-1 study plan

AMPP CAS-1 · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Surface Preparation

Define surface preparation standards terminology (SSPC/NACE surface cleanliness grades) in your own words
List the sequence of steps for abrasive blast cleaning and identify what each step removes
Explain how surface profile (anchor pattern) is created and why it matters to adhesion
Identify common surface contaminants (mill scale, rust, oil, salts) and the method used to detect each

One-page reference sheet mapping each cleanliness grade to its defining visual/descriptive criteria and the contaminant it addresses

Week 2

Compare abrasive blast, power tool, hand tool, and water-jetting methods by achievable cleanliness and typical use case
Describe how environmental conditions (dew point, surface temperature, humidity) affect surface prep and when to stop work
Outline inspection checkpoints during surface prep and what is verified at each
Explain salt/chloride testing and why residual salts shorten coating life

Surface preparation checklist with at least 10 verification points, each tied to a go/no-go criterion

Week 3

Classify generic coating types (epoxy, polyurethane, zinc-rich, inorganic) by chemistry and typical service environment
Explain the function of each coat in a multi-coat system (primer, intermediate, topcoat)
Describe mixing, induction time, pot life, and recoat window for a typical two-component coating
Identify common application methods (brush, roller, conventional/airless spray) and their tradeoffs

Annotated diagram of a three-coat system labeling each coat's purpose, chemistry, and application method

Week 4

Calculate theoretical and practical coverage (spread rate) from a given volume solids and target dry film thickness
Convert between wet film thickness and dry film thickness using volume solids percentage
List application defects (sags, runs, holidays, orange peel) and their likely causes
Explain why measuring DFT at multiple points is required and how to average readings

Worked problem set of 10 coverage/WFT-to-DFT calculations with answers and one defect-cause table

Week 5

Describe how to verify environmental conditions before and during application (temperature, humidity, dew point)
Explain holiday/pinhole detection methods and when each is appropriate
Outline a coating inspection plan: pre-job, in-process, and final inspection stages
Identify the purpose of adhesion testing and the difference between destructive and non-destructive checks

Draft inspection plan template covering pre-job, in-process, and final stages with the measurement taken at each

Week 6

Interpret a coating specification to extract required DFT, number of coats, and acceptance criteria
Explain documentation requirements: daily reports, batch records, and nonconformance handling
Describe how to evaluate a failed inspection and determine root cause category (material, application, environment)
Practice identifying when work must be stopped and reworked versus accepted

Completed mock inspection report for a hypothetical job including measurements, pass/fail calls, and one documented nonconformance

Week 7

Identify hazards of abrasive blasting (silica dust, noise, flying debris) and the controls for each
Explain respiratory, eye, hearing, and skin protection requirements for coating work
Describe containment and ventilation requirements for spray application in confined spaces
Outline spill prevention, waste handling, and volatile organic compound considerations

Job hazard analysis for a blast-and-coat task listing at least 8 hazards with a specific control for each

Week 8

Integrate all four domains into a single end-to-end job walkthrough from surface prep to final inspection
Review and correct weak areas identified in earlier deliverables
Complete timed practice questions across all domains and analyze missed items by domain
Summarize key formulas, standards, and safety controls into a final one-page sheet

Full-length timed practice exam with a scored review identifying the two weakest domains and a remediation action for each

Week 2: Can state the defining criteria of each surface cleanliness grade and name the test for each contaminant without notes

Week 4: Scores at least 80% on the coverage/WFT-to-DFT problem set and correctly attributes each listed defect to a cause

Week 6: Produces a complete mock inspection report with correct pass/fail calls and a defensible root-cause determination

Week 8: Achieves at least 75% overall on the timed practice exam with no domain below 60%