This practice covers the recommended method for rating the condition of electroplated test panels subjected to corrosive environments for test purposes. This method is used with standard-sized panels exposed on standard ASTM racks at outdoor test sites in both natural atmospheres and accelerated test conditions. This practice refers only to decorative-protective coatings that are cathodic to the substrate such as nickel/chromium or copper/nickel/chromium on steel or zinc die castings, and is not intended for use with anodic sacrificial coatings such as zinc and cadmium on steel. Any modifications needed to adapt the method to rating actual production parts are not considered here. Panels shall be assigned separate rating numbers based on the ability of the coating to protect the substrate from corrosion (protection rating), and the overall appearance of panels as affected by deterioration of the coating itself (appearance rating). Accordingly, rating numbers shall be derived from the type of defect that exists, that is: (1) protection defects, which include crater rusting, pinhole rusting, rust stains, blisters, and other defects that involve basis metal corrosion; and (2) appearance defects, which include surface pits, "crow's feet," crack patterns, surface stains, tarnishes, and other defects that detract from commercial acceptability as to appearance. Inspection should be made in the as-is condition, and defects to be taken into account are only those that can be seen with the unaided eye at normal reading distance.