ABSTRACT
Surface preparation, which includes cleaning and pretreatment, is the most important step in any coating operation. For coatings to adhere, surfaces must be free from oily soils, corrosion products, and loose particulates. While new wood surfaces may be coated without cleaning, old wood surfaces must be cleaned to remove any loose, flaky coatings and oily soils. Chemicals are used to remove mold released from plastics. Metals are cleaned using solvents, or aqueous chemicals, or by media blasting, sanding, and brushing. The choice of cleaning method depends on the substrate and the size and shape of the object.
