Surface preparation - Why it is so important and the purpose of surface preparation

Surface preparation is treating the surface of a substance to increase its adhesion to the coating. An essential function affecting coating performance is the surface preparation quality, which can be done mechanically or chemically.

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The meaning of surface preparation and the purpose of this process 

Surface preparation is an indispensable step for the product to be commercially available and move on to surface treatment and finishing.

The purpose of using surface preparation in construction?

Surface preparation ensures that the material is ready to receive a coating bonded to another material or other similar surface-related applications. Dirty, greasy, peeling or damaged surfaces can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the new layer and cause adhesion damage or process failure.

Surface preparation ensures the best possible weld quality, adhesion, or mechanical bond. It helps to reduce problems later on, such as corrosion and mechanical damage.

Why is surface preparation so necessary before coating? 

Surface preparation is considered the most important factor for the success of a coating system. Coating performance is affected by the coating's ability to adhere to the substrate material. Surface preparation cleans away unwanted contaminants such as mill residue or grease and creates a suitable structure for the coating.

In most cases, blasting is done manually. However, it is increasingly mechanized to ensure process control and reproducibility to ensure performance in service.

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How many types of surface preparation methods can we use?

Surface preparation can take the form of chemical or mechanical methods, including solvents, abrasive explosives, heat, acids, and water jets. There are also more traditional techniques that use hand or power tools.

Abrasive blasting, sometimes referred to as bead blasting, is often considered the most versatile and effective method of surface preparation and can therefore be divided into several different categories. In addition, solvent cleaning is another essential surface preparation technique depending on the requirements of the preparation process and the condition of the material being prepared. In addition, here are some other surface preparation methods: Abrasive cleaning, Wet abrasive cleaning, Hand and power tool cleaning, Flame cleaning, Acid pickling, Extreme pressure water jetting high, Cleaning with solvents,...

What are the general stages in the surface preparation process?

Several general stages need to be followed for effective surface preparation for bonding, coating, welding, or other processes:

  1. Surface Condition Assessment

Before starting the preparation, it is important to assess the condition of the surface. This step can help determine if surface preparation has been successful and what techniques will be required.

  1. Remove the old coating

Surfaces often require the removal of any old coatings before applying new coatings. Using a new coat of paint over an old one that has failed will allow pre-existing problems like bubbling, flaking, or flaking to continue beneath the coating. Removing old coatings until a clean surface, such as white metal, helps reduce issues such as corrosion and prolong the life of the property.

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  1. Remove oil, chloride, acid, and other surface contaminants

Old coatings are not the only substance that needs to be removed from the material's surface. Many surfaces in industrial environments come into contact with oils, greases, and other lubricants. All of which need to be removed to compromise the bond strength between the substrate and the new coating. Since these surface contaminants may not be visible to the naked eye, testing may be necessary to determine their presence.

  1. Remove loose parts of the surface

The material's surface should also be cleaned of any loose parts that may peel or crumble. This can be achieved by techniques such as abrasive blasting, which will effectively remove rust, mill scale, and other loose parts from the surface of the base.

  1. Surface shaping

Once any loose materials and other substances have been cleaned from the surface, it is important to shape the surface. New coatings may require a more contemporary surface profile than the original coatings. Precisely shaped surface, suitable for coating process/material, will improve adhesion and mechanical bonding.

  1. Dry the surfaces

Topcoats work best with dry surfaces. Wet surfaces can cause small holes during curing due to moisture evaporating between the surface and the coating. Although some coatings use a second coat to cover these tiny holes, moisture can also negatively impact drying time.


Different forms of surface preparation are required depending on the substrate material and adhesive used. Material surfaces should be cleaned to bond with the coating.

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