Painting and Decorative Coatings Inspection

Per DTU 59.1, surfaces must be prepared to one of four finish levels (A — soigné, B — courant, C — élémentaire, D — minimal) before painting. Each level defines specific requirements for filling, sanding, and priming. The specified finish level determines the extent of surface preparation required.

1. Confirm the specified finish level (A, B, C, or D per DTU 59.1) in the project specification or contract documents

2. For finish level A (soigné), verify that all imperfections are filled, sanded smooth, and invisible under raking light

3. For finish level B (courant), verify that major imperfections are filled and minor blemishes are acceptable

4. Check that all surfaces are free from dust, grease, and loose material before priming

5. Verify that the appropriate primer has been applied and is compatible with both the substrate and the finish coat

- Finish level not specified in the contract, leading to disputes about acceptable quality

- Insufficient filling and sanding for the required finish level

- Primer omitted or wrong type used, causing adhesion failure of finish coats

- Dust not removed after sanding, resulting in poor paint adhesion

Per NF EN 13300 for interior paints, products must be classified by wet scrub resistance (class 1-5), gloss level, and hiding power. Per NF EN 1062 for exterior coatings, classification covers water permeability, CO2 permeability, and crack-bridging ability. Paint products must comply with French VOC emission labelling (class A+ to C).

1. Verify that paint product data sheets confirm compliance with NF EN 13300 (interior) or NF EN 1062 (exterior)

2. Check wet scrub resistance class — minimum class 2 recommended for high-traffic interior areas per NF EN 13300

3. Confirm that the paint carries the French VOC emission label (étiquette émissions) at the specified class, typically A+ for residential

4. Verify that exterior coatings meet the required water permeability and crack-bridging classifications per NF EN 1062

5. Check that paint colour matches the approved sample or RAL/NCS reference

- Low-performance paint specified for high-traffic or wet areas

- Paint VOC emission class not meeting French regulatory requirements

- Colour mismatch between approved sample and delivered product

- Exterior paint without adequate crack-bridging properties applied to rendered facades

Per DTU 59.1, paint must be applied in the number of coats specified (typically one primer and two finish coats for level B). Each coat must achieve uniform coverage with the correct wet film thickness as specified by the manufacturer. Minimum dry film thickness must be verified.

1. Verify that the correct number of coats has been applied — check by observing colour build-up and coverage uniformity

2. Measure wet film thickness during application using a wet film gauge — must match manufacturer's recommendation

3. Measure dry film thickness of the completed system using a magnetic or ultrasonic gauge where possible

4. Check for uniform coverage with no missed areas, thin spots, or visible brush/roller marks under normal lighting

5. Verify that adequate drying time was allowed between coats per manufacturer's data sheet

- Fewer coats applied than specified, resulting in insufficient coverage and durability

- Wet film thickness too thin, leading to poor opacity and premature failure

- Inadequate inter-coat drying time causing solvent entrapment and blistering

- Visible brush marks or roller stipple due to poor application technique

Per DTU 59.1, the completed painted surface must meet the visual quality requirements of the specified finish level. Assessment is performed under normal lighting conditions (not raking light) for levels B, C, and D, and under raking light for level A. Defects such as runs, sags, orange peel, and colour variation must be within acceptable limits.

1. Inspect the finished surface under normal lighting conditions for the specified finish level per DTU 59.1

2. For finish level A, additionally inspect under raking light at a 10-degree angle to detect surface imperfections

3. Check for common defects: runs, sags, curtaining, orange peel, nibs, and brush marks

4. Verify colour consistency across the entire surface — no visible colour variation between adjacent panels or walls

5. Measure gloss level using a gloss meter at 60 degrees — must be within ±5 units of the specified gloss level

- Runs and sags from over-application or applying paint to vertical surfaces too thickly

- Orange peel texture on sprayed surfaces due to incorrect atomisation pressure or distance

- Colour variation between walls due to different paint batches or inconsistent application thickness

- Nibs and inclusions from contaminated paint or dusty environment during application

Per DTU 59.1 and NF EN 1062, exterior paint systems must be selected for durability, weather resistance, and compatibility with the substrate. Rendered facades require coatings with appropriate water vapour permeability to allow the wall to breathe while resisting rain penetration. Application must respect temperature and humidity limits.

1. Verify that the exterior coating system is classified per NF EN 1062 for water permeability (W1-W3) and vapour permeability (V1-V3)

2. Check that application was carried out within the manufacturer's temperature range (typically 5-30°C) and humidity limits

3. Confirm that the coating system is compatible with the render or substrate type (cement, lime, mixed)

4. Verify that all exposed surfaces including returns, soffits, and reveals are coated to the same standard

5. Check adhesion by performing a cross-cut test per EN ISO 2409 on a representative area

- Exterior coating with low vapour permeability trapping moisture inside the wall, causing blistering

- Paint applied in temperatures below 5°C or above 30°C, leading to poor film formation

- Incompatible coating applied over lime render, causing peeling and delamination

- Returns and difficult-access areas missed or poorly coated

Per DTU 59.1, adjacent surfaces, fittings, and fixtures must be protected during painting works. Paint lines at junctions (walls to ceilings, walls to joinery, around switches and sockets) must be clean and straight. The quality of masking and protection reflects the specified finish level.

1. Check that all paint lines at wall-ceiling junctions are straight and clean with no overspray or bleeding

2. Inspect paint edges around door frames, window frames, and skirtings for clean, sharp lines

3. Verify that switches, sockets, and other fixtures are free from paint splashes or overspray

4. Confirm that floor surfaces, glazing, and metalwork are clean and undamaged from painting works

5. Check that all masking tape residue has been removed and no adhesive marks remain

- Wavy or uneven paint lines at wall-ceiling junctions due to poor masking

- Paint on door and window hardware, hinges, or glazing from inadequate protection

- Masking tape left too long, leaving adhesive residue on surfaces

- Overspray on adjacent completed finishes from spray application without adequate masking