This guide describes the use of reference photographs depicting the appearance of unpainted, painted, rusteed, and welded hot-rolled carbon steel prior to and after power- and hand-tool cleaning.

Each color photograph provides one possible illustration of the minimum acceptable level of cleanliness.

The photographs are intended to be used to supplement the written SSPC power- and hand-tool surface preparation standards.

The rusting depicted in the photographs is not accompanied by blistering, but the photographs show staning associated with the rust.