November 2009

Why It Is Important To Prepare The Surface

Good paint performance depends on good adhesion, and paint adheres best to surfaces that are clean and sound. That’s why contractors make sure the surface is in this condition before they start.

Taking shortcuts on surface prep can cause even the highest quality paints to fail prematurely. In fact, according to experts at The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, inadequate surface preparation is the single greatest cause of premature exterior paint failures.

Thus, just as a builder needs a solid foundation to construct a house that lasts, so too must a painting contractor start with a sound surface. It is the first step to a durable, long-lasting exterior paint job.

Benefits of a Properly Prepared Surface

• Better adhesion — the paint is less likely to blister, flake or peel.

• Better uniformity — the paint has a more consistent color and sheen or gloss.

• Better hiding — no show-through from the surface that is being painted.

• Increased mildew resistance — the paint won’t be marred by unsightly black or brown fungal growth.

• Increased corrosion resistance, in the case of painting metal — results in a longer- lasting paint job because of better protection against rusting.