This International Standard specifies a test method for assessing the resistance of a coating to detachment from a substrate when the penetration of the coating into the substrate is cut in a rectangular grid pattern. The performance measured by this empirical test procedure is dependent on a variety of factors in addition to the adhesion of the coating to the preceding coat or substrate. Therefore, this test procedure should not be considered as a method of determining adhesion. Note 1: Although this test is mainly specified for laboratory use, it is also suitable for field tests. The method specified may be used as a pass/fail or, where appropriate, as a six-level classification test. When used in a multi-layer coating system, it can be used to assess the resistance of each coat in the coating system to detachment from every other coat. The test may be carried out on objects coated with a finish and/or on specially prepared specimens. Although this test method is applicable to coatings on hard substrates (steel) and soft substrates (wood and plastics), these different substrates require a different test procedure. This test method is not applicable to coatings with a film thickness greater than 250 μm, nor to textured coatings. Note 2: When applied to coatings designed to have uneven patterns, the results obtained by this method will have large deviations.