diff --git a/lib/controller/action.py b/lib/controller/action.py
index 5991fc282..c55e244ea 100644
--- a/lib/controller/action.py
+++ b/lib/controller/action.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ from lib.core.exception import sqlmapUnsupportedDBMSException
 from lib.core.settings import SUPPORTED_DBMS
 from lib.techniques.brute.use import columnExists
 from lib.techniques.brute.use import tableExists
-from lib.techniques.inband.union.test import unionTest
 
 def action():
     """
@@ -56,10 +55,6 @@ def action():
 
     dataToStdout("%s\n" % conf.dbmsHandler.getFingerprint())
 
-    # Techniques options
-    if conf.unionTest and kb.unionPosition is None:
-        conf.dumper.technic("inband injection payload", unionTest())
-
     # Enumeration options
     if conf.getBanner:
         conf.dumper.banner(conf.dbmsHandler.getBanner())
diff --git a/lib/controller/checks.py b/lib/controller/checks.py
index d0dc92b10..3aba7c579 100644
--- a/lib/controller/checks.py
+++ b/lib/controller/checks.py
@@ -235,7 +235,6 @@ def checkSqlInjection(place, parameter, value):
                 # default) value
                 # Parse boundary's <level>
                 if boundary.level > conf.level:
-                    # NOTE: shall we report every single skipped boundary too?
                     continue
 
                 # Skip boundary if it does not match against test's <clause>
@@ -377,9 +376,7 @@ def checkSqlInjection(place, parameter, value):
 
                         # In case of UNION query SQL injection
                         elif method == PAYLOAD.METHOD.UNION:
-                            conf.uChar = test.request.char
-                            conf.uCols = test.request.columns
-                            configUnion()
+                            configUnion(test.request.char, test.request.columns)
 
                             reqPayload, unionVector = unionTest(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix)
 
diff --git a/lib/core/common.py b/lib/core/common.py
index dfeade11f..900bfe6ee 100644
--- a/lib/core/common.py
+++ b/lib/core/common.py
@@ -2066,34 +2066,37 @@ def openFile(filename, mode='r'):
         errMsg += "and that it's not locked by another process."
         raise sqlmapFilePathException, errMsg
 
-def configUnion():
+def __configUnionChar(char):
+    if char.isdigit() or char == "NULL":
+        conf.uChar = char
+    elif not char.startswith("'") or not char.endswith("'"):
+        conf.uChar = "'%s'" % char
+
+def __configUnionCols(columns):
+    if "-" not in columns or len(columns.split("-")) != 2:
+        raise sqlmapSyntaxException, "--union-cols must be a range with hyphon (e.g. 1-10)"
+
+    columns = columns.replace(" ", "")
+    conf.uColsStart, conf.uColsStop = columns.split("-")
+
+    if not conf.uColsStart.isdigit() or not conf.uColsStop.isdigit():
+        raise sqlmapSyntaxException, "--union-cols must be a range of integers"
+
+    conf.uColsStart = int(conf.uColsStart)
+    conf.uColsStop = int(conf.uColsStop)
+
+    if conf.uColsStart > conf.uColsStop:
+        errMsg = "--union-cols range has to be from lower to "
+        errMsg += "higher number of columns"
+        raise sqlmapSyntaxException, errMsg
+
+def configUnion(char, columns):
+    if isinstance(conf.uChar, basestring):
+        __configUnionChar(conf.uChar)
+    elif isinstance(char, basestring):
+        __configUnionChar(char)
+
     if isinstance(conf.uCols, basestring):
-        debugMsg = "setting the UNION query SQL injection range of columns"
-        logger.debug(debugMsg)
-
-        if "-" not in conf.uCols or len(conf.uCols.split("-")) != 2:
-            raise sqlmapSyntaxException, "--union-cols must be a range with hyphon (e.g. 1-10)"
-
-        conf.uCols = conf.uCols.replace(" ", "")
-        conf.uColsStart, conf.uColsStop = conf.uCols.split("-")
-
-        if not conf.uColsStart.isdigit() or not conf.uColsStop.isdigit():
-            raise sqlmapSyntaxException, "--union-cols must be a range of integers"
-
-        conf.uColsStart = int(conf.uColsStart)
-        conf.uColsStop = int(conf.uColsStop)
-
-        if conf.uColsStart > conf.uColsStop:
-            errMsg = "--union-cols range has to be from lower to "
-            errMsg += "higher number of columns"
-            raise sqlmapSyntaxException, errMsg
-
-    if isinstance(conf.uChar, basestring) and conf.uChar != "NULL":
-        debugMsg = "setting the UNION query SQL injection character to '%s'" % conf.uChar
-        logger.debug(debugMsg)
-
-        if not conf.uChar.isdigit() and ( not conf.uChar.startswith("'") or not conf.uChar.endswith("'") ):
-            debugMsg = "forcing the UNION query SQL injection character to '%s'" % conf.uChar
-            logger.debug(debugMsg)
-
-            conf.uChar = "'%s'" % conf.uChar
+        __configUnionCols(conf.uCols)
+    elif isinstance(columns, basestring):
+        __configUnionCols(columns)
diff --git a/lib/core/optiondict.py b/lib/core/optiondict.py
index 8951204d5..5dfba3c54 100644
--- a/lib/core/optiondict.py
+++ b/lib/core/optiondict.py
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ optDict = {
 
             "Techniques":    {
                                "timeSec":           "integer",
-                               "unionTest":         "boolean",
                                "uCols":             "string",
                                "uChar":             "string"
                              },
diff --git a/lib/parse/cmdline.py b/lib/parse/cmdline.py
index fa5c5510d..760ad9293 100644
--- a/lib/parse/cmdline.py
+++ b/lib/parse/cmdline.py
@@ -231,14 +231,10 @@ def cmdLineParser():
                               help="Seconds to delay the DBMS response "
                                    "(default 5)")
 
-        techniques.add_option("--union-test", dest="unionTest",
-                              action="store_true", default=False,
-                              help="Test for and use UNION query (inband) SQL injection")
-
         techniques.add_option("--union-cols", dest="uCols",
                               help="Range of columns to test for UNION query SQL injection")
 
-        techniques.add_option("--union-char", dest="uChar", default="NULL",
+        techniques.add_option("--union-char", dest="uChar",
                               help="Character to use to bruteforce number of columns")
 
         # Fingerprint options
diff --git a/lib/techniques/inband/union/test.py b/lib/techniques/inband/union/test.py
index 3c1cd496f..8dfd14309 100644
--- a/lib/techniques/inband/union/test.py
+++ b/lib/techniques/inband/union/test.py
@@ -81,17 +81,11 @@ def __unionConfirm(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix, count):
     # Confirm the inband SQL injection and get the exact column
     # position which can be used to extract data
     if not isinstance(kb.unionPosition, int):
-        debugMsg = "testing full inband with %s columns" % count
-        logger.debug(debugMsg)
-
         validPayload, unionVector = __unionPosition(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix, count)
 
         # Assure that the above function found the exploitable full inband
         # SQL injection position
         if not isinstance(kb.unionPosition, int):
-            debugMsg = "testing single-entry inband with %s columns" % count
-            logger.debug(debugMsg)
-
             validPayload, unionVector = __unionPosition(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix, count, where=2)
 
             # Assure that the above function found the exploitable partial
@@ -125,11 +119,9 @@ def __unionTestByCharBruteforce(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix
         if kb.dbms == DBMS.ORACLE:
             query += " FROM DUAL"
 
-        if conf.verbose in (1, 2):
-            status = '%d/%d (%d%s)' % (count, conf.uColsStop, round(100.0*count/conf.uColsStop), '%')
-            dataToStdout("\r[%s] [INFO] number of columns: %s" % (time.strftime("%X"), status), True)
-
-        dataToStdout("\n")
+        status = '%d/%d (%d%s)' % (count, conf.uColsStop, round(100.0*count/conf.uColsStop), '%')
+        debugMsg = "testing number of columns: %s" % status
+        logger.debug(debugMsg)
 
         validPayload, unionVector = __unionConfirm(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix, count)
 
@@ -152,12 +144,6 @@ def unionTest(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix):
 
     oldTechnique = kb.technique
     kb.technique = PAYLOAD.TECHNIQUE.UNION
-
-    if conf.uChar == "NULL":
-        technique = "NULL bruteforcing"
-    else:
-        technique = "char (%s) bruteforcing" % conf.uChar
-
     validPayload, unionVector = __unionTestByCharBruteforce(comment, place, parameter, value, prefix, suffix)
 
     if validPayload:
diff --git a/sqlmap.conf b/sqlmap.conf
index 36ef110e9..59bd37916 100644
--- a/sqlmap.conf
+++ b/sqlmap.conf
@@ -251,19 +251,15 @@ longestCommon = False
 # Default: 5
 timeSec = 5
 
-# Test for and use UNION query (inband) SQL injection.
-# Valid: True or False
-unionTest = False
-
 # Range of columns to test for
 # Valid: range of integers
-# Default: 1-20
-uCols = 1-20
+# Example: 1-10
+uCols = 
 
 # Character to use to bruteforce number of columns
 # Valid: string
-# Default: NULL
-uChar = NULL
+# Example: NULL
+uChar = 
 
 
 [Fingerprint]
diff --git a/xml/payloads.xml b/xml/payloads.xml
index fe8d10108..e394629e5 100644
--- a/xml/payloads.xml
+++ b/xml/payloads.xml
@@ -1856,15 +1856,38 @@ Formats:
     <!-- TODO: if possible, add payload for Microsoft Access and SAP MaxDB -->
     <!-- End of OR time-based blind tests -->
 
+
     <!-- UNION query tests -->
     <test>
-        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 4 to 7 columns</title>
+        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 1 to 3 columns</title>
         <stype>3</stype>
         <level>1</level>
         <risk>1</risk>
         <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
         <where>1</where>
         <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>#</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>1-3</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+        <details>
+            <dbms>MySQL</dbms>
+        </details>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 4 to 7 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>2</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
         <request>
             <payload/>
             <comment>#</comment>
@@ -1879,6 +1902,72 @@ Formats:
         </details>
     </test>
 
+    <test>
+        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 8 to 12 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>3</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>#</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>8-12</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+        <details>
+            <dbms>MySQL</dbms>
+        </details>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 13 to 18 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>4</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>#</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>13-18</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+        <details>
+            <dbms>MySQL</dbms>
+        </details>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>MySQL NULL UNION query - 19 to 25 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>5</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>#</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>19-25</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+        <details>
+            <dbms>MySQL</dbms>
+        </details>
+    </test>
+
     <test>
         <title>Generic NULL UNION query - 1 to 3 columns</title>
         <stype>3</stype>
@@ -1897,6 +1986,82 @@ Formats:
             <union/>
         </response>
     </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>Generic NULL UNION query - 4 to 7 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>2</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>--</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>4-7</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>Generic NULL UNION query - 8 to 12 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>3</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>--</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>8-12</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>Generic NULL UNION query - 13 to 18 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>4</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>--</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>13-18</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+    </test>
+
+    <test>
+        <title>Generic NULL UNION query - 19 to 25 columns</title>
+        <stype>3</stype>
+        <level>5</level>
+        <risk>1</risk>
+        <clause>1,2,3,4,5</clause>
+        <where>1</where>
+        <vector>[UNION]</vector>
+        <request>
+            <payload/>
+            <comment>--</comment>
+            <char>NULL</char>
+            <columns>19-25</columns>
+        </request>
+        <response>
+            <union/>
+        </response>
+    </test>
     <!-- End of UNION query tests -->
 
 </root>