Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

June, 2006

Compliance With Specifications ... % Solids by Volume & by Weight

Q. On a Fed. spec 1952b. we meet volume by solids but come up short on volume by weight. Is there a problem with this or does this do anything to the quality of the paint?

A. Unfortunately I do not have a copy of the specification with me and therefore my answer is generic. For the most part the performance of the coating might be unaffected if the percentage by weight is off spec. Since your volume solids is within the spec you seem to be pretty close, and perhaps you are using lighter weight pigments or extenders than were originally designed for. From a contractual perspective you do not meet the spec and if you were involved in litigation the other party might find you liable for noncompliance.

You might want to contact the custodian of the specification, whose contact name and address should appear somewhere on the specification itself. It is possible that the custodian will give you waiver for being under the weight requirement.

Alternatively, you might want to have your paint tested for all the physical and chemical properties listed in the spec and verify that you do, in fact meet the specification requirements. At least you will cover yourself in that way. In any case, you might need to get permission to sell the "out of spec" product.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph