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CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Enrolment open

Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint Course

Online 300-hour course in surface preparation for nitro paint. 6 modules covering ISO 8501-1 (preparation grades of steel), ISO 8503-1 (roughness of blast-cleaned surfaces) and advanced Excel (process sheets). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the composition and behaviour of nitrocellulose paint.

02

Diagnose the substrate before preparation.

03

Strip down to bare metal safely.

04

Apply primers and fillers compatible with nitro.

05

Control the application environment and prevent defects.

06

Apply safety measures against flammable solvents.

07

Carry out a preparation project for nitro paint.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Surface preparer wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Classic vehicle painter wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Classic vehicle restorer wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Paint booth technician wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Prevention technician in paint areas wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Finish quality manager wishing to specialise in Surface Preparation for Nitro Paint.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter paint workshops.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 8501-1 (preparation grades of steel)
  • ISO 8503-1 (roughness of blast-cleaned surfaces)
  • ISO 2409 (adhesion)
  • Real Decreto 117/2003 (VOCs from solvent use)
  • Real Decreto 681/2003 (explosive atmospheres)
  • Directiva 2004/42/CE (VOCs in paints)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1History of nitro lacquer in automotive use
  2. 1.2Composition: nitrocellulose, plasticisers and resins
  3. 1.3Specific solvents and thinners
  4. 1.4Physical drying by evaporation
  5. 1.5Advantages and limitations compared with other systems
  6. 1.6VOC restrictions and current availability
  7. 1.7Flammability risks
  8. 1.8Safe storage of products
  9. 1.9Personal protective equipment
  10. 1.10Practical: preparing a nitro test sample
  1. 2.1Identifying existing layers
  2. 2.2Solvent test on old paintwork
  3. 2.3Incompatibilities with modern primers
  4. 2.4Detecting rust beneath paint
  5. 2.5Measuring total film thickness
  6. 2.6Old fillers and their behaviour
  7. 2.7Deciding whether to strip or sand
  8. 2.8Preparation plan
  9. 2.9Recording initial condition
  10. 2.10Workshop: layer compatibility test
  1. 3.1Chemical stripping and its risks
  2. 3.2Gentle blasting: soda and plastic
  3. 3.3Controlled mechanical sanding
  4. 3.4Treating residual rust
  5. 3.5Degreasing and anti-silicone cleaning
  6. 3.6Phosphating and conversion treatment
  7. 3.7Maximum time before priming
  8. 3.8Protecting treated surfaces
  9. 3.9Roughness control
  10. 3.10Practical: stripping a bonnet to bare metal
  1. 4.1Primers compatible with nitro
  2. 4.2Sanding and fill primers
  3. 4.3Fine spot putties
  4. 4.4Sanding guide and flatness
  5. 4.5Sealer before colour
  6. 4.6Flash-off and recoat times
  7. 4.7Shrinkage and sinking of primers
  8. 4.8Final wet sanding
  9. 4.9Cleaning prior to application
  10. 4.10Laboratory: primer system on a test panel
  1. 5.1Temperature and humidity in the booth
  2. 5.2Moisture blushing
  3. 5.3Retarders and their use
  4. 5.4Orange peel and viscosity
  5. 5.5Blistering and trapped solvent
  6. 5.6Cracking caused by incompatible primers
  7. 5.7Dust and nib control
  8. 5.8Inspection under raking light
  9. 5.9Film thickness measurement before colour
  10. 5.10Case study: diagnosing blushing in nitro lacquer
  1. 6.1Selecting the component
  2. 6.2Substrate diagnosis
  3. 6.3Preparation plan
  4. 6.4Stripping and treatment
  5. 6.5Primer application
  6. 6.6Sanding and flatness control
  7. 6.7Validation colour test
  8. 6.8Process documentation
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is advanced Excel (process sheets), Elcometer ElcoMaster (measurement recording), Standowin iQ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for stripping to bare metal, applying primers and fillers, and controlling humidity and temperature in the booth. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Selecting the component

Describe the composition and behaviour of nitrocellulose paint.

Substrate diagnosis

Diagnose the substrate before preparation.

Preparation plan

Strip down to bare metal safely.

Stripping and treatment

Apply primers and fillers compatible with nitro.

Primer application

Control the application environment and prevent defects.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Surface preparerClassic vehicle painterClassic vehicle restorerPaint booth technicianPrevention technician in paint areasFinish quality manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses advanced Excel (process sheets), Elcometer ElcoMaster (measurement recording) and Standowin iQ. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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