Exam (elaborations) Coating Inspector Program – Level 3 Certification

Coating Inspector Program (CIP) – Level 3 Peer
Review Certification Exam

1. The primary purpose of protective coatings on steel is
to:
A. Change color of structure
B. Act as a barrier against corrosion and chemical attack
C. Increase weight
D. Reduce temperature
Answer: B
2. A coating specification is:
A. A suggestion list
B. A contract document detailing materials, preparation,
and QA/QC requirements
C. A blueprint
D. Shipping document
Answer: B
3. The SSPC and NACE organizations merged to form:
A. AWS
B. AMPP
C. ISO
D. API
Answer: B (AMPP)
4. Dry film thickness (DFT) is measured:
A. Before coating is applied
B. After coating has cured
C. Only in the can

, D. Only on plastic
Answer: B
5. The main reason an inspector must review the
specification before work starts is:
A. To know the owner's favorite color
B. To understand acceptance criteria, equipment, and
testing requirements
C. To buy paint
D. To train the applicator
Answer: B
6. ISO 8501-1 defines:
A. Climatic conditions
B. Visual surface cleanliness standards for steel
C. DFT measurement
D. Adhesion testing
Answer: B
7. SSPC-SP 10 (NACE No. 2) means:
A. Hand tool cleaning
B. Near-white metal blast cleaning
C. Water jet cleaning
D. Solvent cleaning
Answer: B
8. SSPC-SP 1 covers:
A. Power tool cleaning
B. Solvent cleaning to remove oils and grease
C. Brush-off blast cleaning
D. Near-white blast
Answer: B

,9. Wet film thickness (WFT) gauges ensure:
A. Volatile organic content
B. Correct applied thickness before curing
C. Color match
D. Safety hazards
Answer: B
10. A technical data sheet (TDS) provides:
A. Paint color only
B. Mixing ratios, recoat intervals, cure times, application
requirements
C. Invoice amounts
D. Field safety
Answer: B
11. Incorrect surface preparation most commonly
causes:
A. Faster curing
B. Premature coating failure
C. Gloss improvement
D. Lower cost
Answer: B
12. A pinhole is:
A. Large crater
B. Small holiday in the coating exposing substrate
C. Excessive sag
D. Over-build
Answer: B
13. Visible holidays are often detected by:
A. Microscope only

, B. Holiday spark tester or wet-sponge detector
C. RT film
D. Magnetic particle
Answer: B
14. A specification requiring 5–7 mil DFT and readings
show 2 mils means:
A. Pass
B. Underspecified thickness = reject
C. Over-application
D. No corrective action needed
Answer: B
15. Chloride contamination may cause:
A. Flash rusting and blistering
B. Lower price
C. Better adhesion
D. No effect
Answer: A
16. Surface profile (anchor pattern) is measured using:
A. Psychrometer
B. Replica tape & spring micrometer
C. Ultrasonic gauge
D. Hygrometer
Answer: B
17. A Type 2 DFT gauge uses:
A. Fixed thickness
B. Electronic measurement
C. Microscopic abrasion