A paint defect that slips past the lab rarely stays hidden for long — it resurfaces months later as peeling, discolouration, or failed adhesion on an actual building, by which point fixing it costs far more than testing it properly would have in the first place. This course, offered by the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy, is built for the technical and engineering staff standing between a batch of water-based paint and the construction site where it will be applied.

Participants work through the composition and classification of water-based paints, the international standards (ASTM, ISO, BS) that testing must meet, and the full laboratory workflow — from thickness and adhesion tests through chemical analysis — before finishing with how to read results, write defensible reports, and secure technical accreditation for a product.

Who Should Attend?

• Quality control engineers and technicians working in paint factories or on painting projects.
• Technicians and supervisors overseeing work at painting sites.
• Industrial laboratory specialists interested in paint testing techniques.
• Procurement or quality assurance officers in the construction and chemical industries.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand the general properties of water-based paints, their core components, and the international and local standards that govern testing them.
• Carry out physical and chemical paint tests with confidence.
• Analyse test results and connect them to the quality of the finished product.
• Recognise common paint defects and catch them early, before they reach the field.

Module 1: Understanding Water-Based Paints

• Definition of water-based paints and their basic composition, and how they differ from oil-based paints in properties and performance.
• Basic chemical reactions during paint application and drying.
• Classification of water-based paints by usage and environment, and their applications in construction and industry.
• Climatic and environmental factors affecting paint selection.

Module 2: The Standards That Govern Paint Testing

• Overview of ASTM, ISO, and BS standards in the field of paints.
• The importance of adhering to standards to ensure quality.
• Symbols and terminology used in test reports.

Module 3: Getting Ready to Test — Tools and Techniques

• Types of laboratory equipment and instruments for paint testing.
• Preparations required before starting tests.
• The role of representative samples in ensuring accurate test results.

Module 4: Physical Testing — Thickness, Coverage, Adhesion and Durability

• Measuring dry and wet film thickness, and determining coverage rate per square metre.
• Adhesion tests on different surfaces.
• Scratch and abrasion resistance, friction and pressure resistance, and water and humidity resistance tests.

Module 5: Chemical Testing — Composition and Stability

• Determining solid and liquid content, and pH analysis and salt content measurement.
• Testing volatile substances and organic compounds.
• Resistance to chemical changes from external factors, and reaction tests with metal and wooden surfaces.
• Evaluating paint lifespan under various storage conditions.

Module 6: From Raw Results to Reliable Reports

• How to read and analyse inspection reports.
• Comparing results with approved standards.
• Identifying causes of deviations in technical results.

Module 7: Quality Control and Technical Accreditation

• Steps for ensuring quality during paint production.
• The role of acceptance and rejection tests during project phases.
• Preparing technical accreditation documents for product specifications.