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).