Surface preparation is a crucial aspect of coating application. Without proper preparation, the risk of the coating failing and then chipping, cracking, or rising up off the surface in blisters increases greatly. That can affect both the operation of machinery and the overall look of the coating. Before assuming a quick swipe with a dust cloth will be enough, you need to know what can happen when unclean surfaces meet coating.
Why Do Surfaces Need to Be Prepared Before Adding Coatings?
The success of a coating depends on its ability to stick to the surface it’s supposed to cover. (Yes, external factors like environment and proper application method affect that, too, but the surface condition is the most important.) Surfaces that are to receive industrial coatings are just like any other surface; they can rust, allow dust to gather, and be subject to other contamination. Older paint and coatings can also prevent newer coatings from adhering correctly.
Removing that dust, old coating, and so on is critical to creating a surface that a new coating will stick to easily. For example, if part of the surface has slightly rusted, and you add a new layer of a coating over the rust, that part of the surface is going to be weaker than the rest — and it may continue to rust. The coating can gradually crack and let in moisture, which leads to more rusting and corrosion. Instead, prepare the surface by removing the rust first to avoid that whole issue.
Why Can’t the Coatings Just Stick to Any Surface as They Dry?
If the coatings themselves are properly mixed, can’t they overcome the occasional speck of dust? Well, no. It may seem like a strong coating could simply trap smaller bits of debris and hold them against the surface. But those small spots are still spots where the coating is not able to touch and adhere to the surface, and that turns them into weak points that can potentially separate and create blisters or flaking that ruin the coating.
What Does Surface Preparation Truly Entail?
Surface preparation is about more than just dusting or wiping down a surface. The exact process depends on the particular surface, the coating, and the environment around them. In general, however, the preparation could include washing and drying, sanding, rust removal, surface repair, removal of old coatings or paint, the use of solvents and abrasive cleaners, and final rinsing and drying. There may be multiple layers of different coatings and primers needed, too.
How Does Surface Preparation Affect Issues Other Than Adhesion?
In addition to helping coatings adhere to a surface, proper preparation of that surface also helps the coating look better. It looks smoother (depending on the type of coating and the nature of the surface, of course) and cleaner, and the risk of the coating failing over time is reduced. With a solid, properly cleaned surface underneath, a coating has the best chance possible of lasting for a very long time. If the coating is supposed to be nonstick, such as with Whitford Nonstick, better preparation and adhesion will help that coating stay intact. Any cracks or chips could interfere with the nonstick purpose of the coating.
Does Using Stronger and More Durable Coatings Matter?
Using stronger and more durable coatings, like corrosion resistance coatings, won’t eliminate the need for proper surface preparation. No matter the coating, you have to ensure the underlying surface is free of dust, debris, and anything else that could create a barrier to the coating reaching the surface. More durable coating might not blister and flake as much as weaker coating that’s been applied over a dirty surface. But you may still see spots, however small, where the coating is beginning to fail.
If you need coatings and want to discuss surface preparation in more detail, contact Sun Coatings Company. When you need a coating to look good and work well, you need durable, long-lasting materials and the right preparation procedure. Give us a call to find out more about how our coatings work.