What is Surface Preparation? Surface preparation is the most important factor in coating performance. It removes contaminants from, and provides a profile on a surface before painting. Contaminants may range from oil and grease to oxide products like millscale or rust. Surface profile is needed to provide a mechanical "anchor" for the paint. The conditions of service for a ship are severe and require the best possible protection. This level of protection and coating performance is given by coatings applied over the best surface preparation.

The handbook is developed as a tool for shipyard personnel for planning and conducting surface preparation and coating work in ship tanks and other confined spaces.

This research project was produced for the National Shipbuilding Research Program as a cooperative cost-shared effort between the U.S. Navy and National Steel and Shipbuilding company (NASSCO).

The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP), whose principal objective is increased shipbuilding and productivity, has stimulated a broad range of research projects. These projects, in turn, have kept that goal in clear view of the industry. Recently, an objective of the National Shipbuilding Research Program has been to seek international communications, liaison and research. Logically, because Japan has won the reputation for outstanding productivity, "outreach" researchers have focused their attention on her facilities and technology. In July 1981, an on site inspection of Japanese shipbuilding facilities was performed to study Japan's surface preparation and coating planning and methods. In addition, coating material manufacturers and application subcontractors' facilities were visited. This report summarizes the information gathered from the field survey. Mr. John Peart of Avondale Shipyards was principally responsible for this research tour and its resulting observations and conclusions. Accompanying him was Dr. Gerald Soltz, a specialist in corrosion control and effective surface preparation and coating methodology.