The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings and various Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) documents cover requirements for the painting of structural steel. The FAQs in this section include a discussion of portions of these provisions and subsequent recommendations.

Both the Steel Structures Painting Manual, Volume 1, Good Painting Practice (4th Edition) and Volume 2, Systems and Specifications (8th Edition, 2000) provide a knowledgeable framework for the selection of suitable paint systems and establishes appropriate means of achieving the desired result in both the shop and field. The proper design of a total paint system suitable for the end use of the product is clearly identified as a fundamental design prerogative of the owner, architect and/or engineer.

The Steel Structures Painting Manual and SSPC surface preparation standards serve as generally workable and practical guides for the surface preparation and painting of fabricated structural steel. Although they have removed a great deal of the misunderstandings that once occurred in this area, there are still varying interpretations that may arise. The FAQs in this section provide AISC recommendations for clarification and resolution of several problem areas.