MIL-HDBK-1110
Section 6:
SURFACE PREPARATION
6.1
Introduction. Surface preparation is the single most
important factor in determining coating durability. Available
data and experience indicate that in most situations, money spent
for a clean, well-prepared surface reduces life-cycle costs. A
proper surface preparation:
a) Removes surface contaminants (e.g., salts and
chalk) and deteriorated substrate surface layers (e.g., rust and
sunlight-degraded wood) which hinder coating adhesion and;
b) Produces a surface profile (texture) that promotes
tight adhesion of the primer to the substrate.
6.1.1
Selection Factors. Factors which should be considered
in selecting the general type and degree of surface preparation
are:
a)
Type of the substrate
b)
Condition of the surface to be painted
c)
Type of exposure
d) Desired life of the structure, as some procedures
are much more expensive than others
e)
Coating to be applied
f)
Environmental, time, and economical constraints
6.1.2
Specification Procedure. A performance-based
requirement for surface preparation, rather than a prescriptive
requirement, is recommended for contract use. That is, it is
usually better to describe the characteristics of the cleaned
surface (e.g., profile and degree of chalk removal) than to
specify the specific materials and procedures to be used. Often
the general type of surface preparation (washing, blasting, etc.)
is specified, because of job or other constraints, along with
requirements for characteristics of the cleaned surface. In this
way, the specifier allows the contractor to select the specific
equipment, materials and procedures to get the job done and
avoids putting contradictory requirements into the job
specification.
6.1.3
Section Organization. This section is organized into:
discussions of repair procedures usually done in conjunction with
a painting contract and prior to painting; specific
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