AMPP CCI-1 study plan
AMPP CCI-1 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Coating Fundamentals and Corrosion Basics
Define corrosion and distinguish its electrochemical and non-electrochemical forms in writing
Diagram the corrosion cell (anode, cathode, electrolyte, metallic path) from memory
List the five primary coating functions and match each to a corrosion mechanism it interrupts
Explain galvanic series ordering and predict which metal corrodes in a described couple
Your checkpoint
One-page handwritten corrosion-cell diagram plus a 10-term glossary of corrosion fundamentals scored against a self-made answer key
Coating Fundamentals and Corrosion Basics
Classify coating types (barrier, inhibitive, sacrificial) and justify a selection for three described service environments
Describe substrate effects on adhesion for steel, galvanized, aluminum, and concrete
Calculate and interpret dry-film versus wet-film thickness conversions given percent volume solids
Summarize the role of surface profile in mechanical adhesion
Your checkpoint
Coating selection worksheet: five hypothetical service scenarios each matched to a coating type with a written justification
Surface Preparation
Identify SSPC/NACE surface preparation grades and state the visual standard each requires
Differentiate abrasive blast cleaning from power-tool and hand-tool cleaning by achievable cleanliness
Explain how abrasive type, size, and shape affect anchor profile
List common surface contaminants and describe detection and removal methods for each
Your checkpoint
Comparison table of at least six surface preparation methods with cleanliness grade, typical profile, and appropriate use
Surface Preparation
Specify environmental limits (dew point, surface temperature, humidity) for preparation and application
Compute dew point margin from given temperature and relative humidity data
Describe inspection steps for prepared surfaces before coating
Explain soluble salt testing and its acceptance implications
Your checkpoint
Timed 20-question self-quiz on surface preparation scored at 80 percent or better, with wrong answers rewritten as corrected notes
Coating Application and Inspection
Match application methods (brush, roller, conventional air spray, airless, plural component) to coating types and jobs
Explain the causes and prevention of common defects: sagging, runs, orange peel, dry spray, and pinholes
Describe stripe coating and its purpose at edges, welds, and corners
State recoat window considerations and consequences of exceeding them
Your checkpoint
Defect troubleshooting matrix: at least eight defects each with appearance, root cause, and prevention measure
Coating Application and Inspection
Perform DFT measurement planning including gauge type, number of readings, and acceptance rules
Describe holiday and pinhole detection methods and when each is appropriate
Explain adhesion testing methods and their limitations
Interpret a coating inspection report and flag nonconforming entries
Your checkpoint
Mock inspection report for a described tank exterior: record readings, compute average and range, and write a pass or fail determination with rationale
Standards, Documentation, and Safety
Map the roles of owner, specifier, contractor, and inspector across a project lifecycle
Interpret a coating specification section by section and extract hold points
Explain the purpose and content of a pre-job conference and daily reports
Identify which standards govern preparation, application, and inspection in a given scenario
Your checkpoint
Annotated specification excerpt with at least ten hold points and required documentation flagged in the margins
Coating Fundamentals and Corrosion Basics & Surface Preparation & Coating Application and Inspection & Standards, Documentation, and Safety
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions
Rank missed questions by domain and identify the top three recurring error patterns
Re-drill weak areas using the notes and matrices built in weeks 1 through 7
Write a one-page pre-exam summary sheet from memory
Your checkpoint
Practice exam score of 80 percent or higher on the second attempt, plus a one-page summary sheet covering all four domains
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the corrosion cell and select an appropriate coating type for an unfamiliar environment without notes
Week 4: Scores 80 percent or better on the surface preparation quiz and correctly computes dew point margin in three of three practice problems
Week 6: Produces a complete mock inspection report with correct DFT statistics and a defensible pass or fail call
Week 8: Reaches 80 percent or higher on a full-length timed practice exam and has a finished one-page summary sheet