ASTM D4610-98(2013)

Standard Guide for Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques used to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface contaminants.  
3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding, and many other problems may result. This guide describes methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repainting.Note 1—It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must be fully carried out, since residual sodium hypochlorite (bleach) can cause many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting, and residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal growth.Note 2—This procedure is intended for use when recoating the surface. Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without recoating necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film properties, including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films containing organic coloring pigments (such as quinacridones, etc.), loss of gloss, chalking, etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this procedure for that purpose.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related coatings and methods for removal of such growth prior to recoating.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2013
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.28 - Biodeterioration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4610-98(2009) - Standard Guide for Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D5498-12a(2018) - Standard Guide for Developing a Training Program for Personnel Performing Coating and Lining Work Inspection for Nuclear Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D3274-09(2021) - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4610 − 98 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
Determining the Presence of and Removing Microbial
(Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and Related Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope and many other problems may result. This guide describes
methods for removing fungal or algal growth prior to repaint-
1.1 This guide describes techniques used for determining
ing.
the presence of fungal or algal growth on paint and related
coatings and methods for removal of such growth prior to
NOTE 1—It is extremely important that all steps and notes be read and
recoating.
followed. In particular the washing steps outlined in 5.2.2 and 5.2.4 must
befullycarriedout,sinceresidualsodiumhypochlorite(bleach)cancause
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
many of the same problems, or even loss of coloration after repainting,
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
and residual phosphate detergents can encourage further fungal and algal
only.
growth.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE2—Thisprocedureisintendedforusewhenrecoatingthesurface.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Reports of using this procedure to remove fungi and algae without
recoating necessitate inclusion of a warning about the adverse effects of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
bleach on a coating film. The oxidative effects of bleach can degrade film
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
properties, including particularly the “bleaching” (loss of color) in films
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
containingorganiccoloringpigments(suchasquinacridones,etc.),lossof
gloss, chalking, etc. A small patch must be tested prior to use of this
2. Referenced Documents
procedure for that purpose.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Reagents
D2022Test Methods of Sampling and ChemicalAnalysis of
Chlorine-Containing Bleaches
4.1 Sodium Hypochlorite, approximately 5 % aqueous
D3274Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Dis-
(NaOCl) as commercial household bleach. Because sodium
figurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or
hypochlorite decomposes on exposure to heat and sunlight and
Soil and Dirt Accumulation
becomesineffective,useonlyfreshmaterial.SeeTestMethods
D2022 for methods of sampling and chemical analysis.
3. Significance and Use
4.2 Phosphate-Free, non-ammonia-containing detergent or
3.1 Microbial growth is a major cause of discoloration and
commercial cleaner recommended for washing paint.
deterioration of paint films. This guide describes techniques
used to distinguish fungi and algae from other surface con-
taminants. 5. Procedures
3.2 Repainting a surface contaminated with fungi or algae
5.1 DeterminingthePresenceofFungalorAlgalGrowthon
generally causes more rapid infestation of the new paint than
Paint:
repainting a surface from which fungal or algal growth has
5.1.1 Chemical—Apply a drop of 5% aqueous sodium
been removed. In addition, poor adhesion, staining/bleeding,
hypochlorite solution (common household bleach) to the area
suspected of being contaminated with fungal or algal growth.
Fungal or algal discoloration will normally bleach within 60 s.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Discoloration that does not bleach is probably dirt. For further
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration. confirmation do visual and subculture tests.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
5.1.2 The following procedures should preferably be used
approved in 1986.
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