Quality & Accreditation
Independently certified quality systems ensuring every coating meets the highest standards
Certified Quality at Every Stage
Quality is not simply a department at Wicked Coatings — it is embedded in everything we do. Our quality management system is independently certified to ISO 9001:2015, subject to regular external surveillance audits, and maintained through a rigorous programme of internal audits and management reviews. Every process, from goods inward to final dispatch, is documented and controlled.
Every job that enters our facility is assigned full traceability. We record the materials used, the environmental conditions during application, the operators involved, and all inspection results. This data is retained and can be recalled at any time, providing our clients with complete confidence in the provenance and integrity of every coating we apply.
On completion of each project, we provide comprehensive documentation including coating certificates, dry film thickness records, adhesion test results and material batch traceability. For clients in regulated industries such as defence, aerospace and medical, we tailor our documentation packs to meet the specific requirements of their quality systems and specifications.
Our commitment to continuous improvement means we regularly review our processes, invest in new inspection equipment, and upskill our team through ongoing professional development. Our supervisors, blasters and painters are ICATS qualified, so coating application is carried out by trained and assessed personnel. Non-conformances are tracked, root causes are investigated, and corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence.
Industry-Recognised Standards
Our quality system isn't just paperwork — it's independently audited, externally certified, and underpinned by senior-grade expertise. Every standard below is held in-house by named, qualified inspectors.
- ISO 9001 Quality Management
- NACE 3 Inspector Level
- ICorr 3 Corrosion Engineer
- ICATS Qualified Operators
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management
Independently Certified
Our quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 — the international gold standard. Every aspect of our operation, from quotation through to final dispatch, is governed by documented procedures, regular internal audits and annual external surveillance audits by an accredited certification body.
- Annual third-party surveillance audits
- Documented procedures from goods inward to dispatch
- Formal non-conformance tracking and root-cause analysis
- Continual improvement reviewed at management level
NACE / AMPP CIP Level 3
Senior Coating Inspector
NACE Level 3 is the highest qualification awarded by NACE International (now AMPP). Our inspector holds full competence across specification writing, coating system selection, failure investigation and expert witness capability — bringing senior-grade scrutiny in-house.
- Specification writing and review
- Failure investigation & expert reporting
- Coating system selection for demanding environments
- Authoritative inspection reports for the most rigorous clients
Institute of Corrosion Level 3
Corrosion Engineer
ICorr Level 3 demonstrates advanced competence in corrosion engineering and protective coating technology. We bring the science of corrosion mechanisms, cathodic protection, and environmental control directly to the design of every coating specification — far beyond simple paint application.
- Corrosion mechanism analysis
- Coating system design for full service life
- Cathodic protection principles
- Maintenance strategy and lifecycle planning
ICATS Qualified Workforce
Supervisors, Blasters & Painters
ICATS (Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme) is the recognised UK qualification for industrial coating applicators. Our supervisors, blasters and painters hold ICATS qualifications, so the people preparing and coating your parts are trained and assessed to the same standard as the inspectors who sign them off.
- ICATS-qualified supervisors overseeing every job
- Trained and assessed blasters and painters
- Correct surface preparation and application every time
- Competence records available for client audits
How We Ensure Excellence
Goods Inward Inspection
Every component is inspected and logged on arrival. We check for damage, contamination and conformity to the customer's order before any work begins. Items are photographed and assigned a unique job number for full traceability throughout our facility.
Surface Preparation Verification
Surface cleanliness and profile are verified before any coating is applied. We check blast profiles with replica tape, confirm cleanliness grades to ISO 8501, and ensure all masking and pre-treatment steps have been correctly completed and documented.
Environmental Monitoring
Temperature, relative humidity and dew point are continuously monitored in all spray booths and preparation areas. Coatings are only applied when environmental conditions fall within the parameters specified by the coating manufacturer and the client's specification.
Coating Application Control
Wet film thickness is checked during application using calibrated gauges to ensure each coat is applied within the specified range. Material batch numbers, mix ratios, pot life and application parameters are all recorded on the job card for every coating layer.
Post-Application Testing
Once cured, dry film thickness is measured at multiple points across each component. Adhesion testing is performed using cross-hatch or pull-off methods as required. Visual inspection confirms freedom from defects such as runs, sags, orange peel and contamination.
Final QC & Documentation
A final quality check is performed before dispatch. The complete certification pack is compiled, including coating certificates, DFT records, adhesion test results, material batch traceability, environmental logs and any additional test reports required by the specification.
Inspection & Testing Equipment
Our in-house NACE and Icorr inspectors use UKAS-calibrated equipment to inspect and test before, during and after painting, from blast profile and soluble salts through to film thickness, adhesion, cure and gloss, with full reporting compliant to nuclear and other demanding sector standards.
Specifications & Standards
We work to customer-specified standards across a broad range of industries. Our team is experienced in interpreting and applying complex specifications from defence, aerospace and general industrial sectors.
Discuss Your Quality Requirements
Whether you need coatings applied to a defence specification, aerospace-grade finishes or simply the reassurance of a fully documented quality system, our team is ready to help.
