AMPP Marine Coatings study plan
AMPP Marine Coatings · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Marine coatings inspection fundamentals & Surface preparation for marine coatings
Define each of the four exam domains and list the task statements you must be able to perform in each
Explain the inspector's roles and responsibilities across the coating life cycle, from specification review through final acceptance
Identify the reference standards (SSPC, NACE/AMPP, ISO, ASTM) most commonly cited for marine coating work and state what each governs
Describe how a coating specification, product data sheet, and safety data sheet interact during an inspection
Your checkpoint
A one-page domain map listing all four domains, their weightings, and the standards you will study for each
Marine coatings inspection fundamentals & Surface preparation for marine coatings
Explain how corrosion cells form on steel and distinguish general, galvanic, crevice, pitting, and microbiologically influenced corrosion
Describe the function of each layer in a marine coating system (primer, intermediate, topcoat) and how each fails
Calculate coating coverage and theoretical spread rate from a product data sheet given volume solids and required dry film thickness
Interpret a coating specification to determine required surface preparation, DFT, and hold points
Your checkpoint
A worked calculation set of five spread-rate/DFT problems with correct units and answers
Surface preparation for marine coatings
Compare abrasive blast cleaning to power-tool and hand cleaning and state when each is acceptable per specification
Identify the visual and written definitions of SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2, SSPC-SP 6, and SSPC-SP 3 and distinguish them in sample photographs
Explain how abrasive type, size, shape, and cleanliness affect anchor profile and surface condition
Describe the causes and prevention of flash rust and how to evaluate it against a specification
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of at least four surface preparation standards with their visual criteria and typical marine applications
Surface preparation for marine coatings & Inspection, testing, and quality control
Measure surface profile using replica tape and compare the result to the specified range
Evaluate surface cleanliness for soluble salts, oil, dust, and moisture using the appropriate field test
Explain how ambient conditions (dew point, relative humidity, steel temperature) govern when blasting and coating may proceed
Describe how to document surface preparation results and when to call a hold point
Your checkpoint
A mock surface-preparation inspection report with profile readings, salt and cleanliness results, and a pass/fail determination
Coating application and materials & Inspection, testing, and quality control
Compare the chemistries, cure mechanisms, and limitations of epoxy, polyurethane, polysiloxane, zinc-rich, and antifouling coatings
Explain stripe coating, pot life, induction time, recoat windows, and overcoating interval requirements
Describe the causes and prevention of common application defects including runs, sags, orange peel, dry spray, pinholes, and mud cracking
Describe the purpose and correct use of a holiday detector on a completed coating
Your checkpoint
A defect identification guide matching at least eight application defects to their causes, prevention, and repair method
Coating application and materials & Inspection, testing, and quality control
Explain how spray equipment setup, tip size, pressure, and technique affect film build and appearance
Describe how to verify wet film thickness and calculate the corresponding dry film thickness using volume solids
Explain the purpose and use of a DFT gauge, including calibration checks and the effect of surface profile on readings
Describe adhesion testing methods and when each is appropriate for a marine coating system
Your checkpoint
A step-by-step inspection procedure for verifying DFT on a blasted and coated steel panel, including calibration and acceptance criteria
Inspection, testing, and quality control & Marine coatings inspection fundamentals
Describe how to conduct and document a pre-job conference and a specification review
Explain how to handle nonconformance, rework, and specification deviations in a documented inspection record
Describe the elements of a complete inspection and test plan and a final coating report
Review the responsibilities and ethics expected of a coatings inspector
Your checkpoint
A complete inspection and test plan for a simulated vessel hull coating job, including hold points and documentation requirements
Marine coatings inspection fundamentals & Surface preparation for marine coatings & Coating application and materials & Inspection, testing, and quality control
Complete at least 100 practice questions across all four domains and review every missed item
Re-derive the spread-rate, DFT, and dew point calculations without notes
Recite the key surface preparation and inspection standards and their acceptance criteria from memory
Take a full-length timed practice exam and analyze your results by domain
Your checkpoint
A timed practice exam score report with a written remediation list for any domain scoring below 80 percent
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80 percent on a self-written 20-question quiz covering domain 1 fundamentals and coating calculations
Week 4: Produce a complete, correctly formatted surface-preparation inspection report that a supervisor would accept without revision
Week 6: Correctly identify at least 7 of 8 application defects and their causes from written descriptions
Week 8: Score at least 80 percent overall on a full-length timed practice exam, with no single domain below 70 percent