Table of Contents
Surface Preparation
Don’t you wish there were a way to avoid expensive repairs in the future?
It seems like most building owners don’t think about coatings until the damage has been done. Peeling paint. Cupped boards. Trim that is rotting away. Then it’s time to open up the wallet.
But here’s the secret that contractors know:
Preparation of the surface you’re working on is the most important part of any finishing job. If you skip it, nothing you put on top will provide a return on your investment.
(This is about wood finishes)
This Quick Guide will show you…
- Why surface prep is critical to coating success
- How shortcuts equal higher costs down the road
- Selecting the right wood finishes to prevent failures
- Step-by-step wood surface preparation methods
- Maintenance tips that keep repair bills in the thousands…
NOT millions
Prepping Surfaces Is the Most Important Part of Avoiding Building Repairs
If surface preparation were a person, they’d be the smart kid in class raising their hand.
It doesn’t matter how much you spend on coatings. If you don’t prepare the surface properly, your projects will fail.
Leading coating manufacturers say that up to 80% of coating failures are attributed to poor surface preparation. That is insanity.
Here’s the thing…
For ANY wood finish to work, it needs to adhere (bond) to the wood surface. If there is dirt, moisture, residue from old coatings, or debris on the wood, it prevents that coating from gripping properly.
And when that happens?
Your finish starts to peel off way sooner than you expect.
Property owners who partner with experienced suppliers know this. Companies like RMP Finishes spend countless hours training their customers on proper preparation.
Because they know that proper prep is what makes coatings last 2 years… Or last 10 years.
The Bottom Line:
There are three things you MUST do to prepare any surface:
- Remove all contaminants from the surface
- Create a profile for the coating to grip
- Apply coatings under the right conditions
Do those three things, and your finishes will perform how they’re supposed to.
Consider Skipping Surface Prep? Think Again.
Look, it’s understandable. Somebody has to wash and sand before you can arrive to paint.
But in the world of construction, time equals money. Why spend time washing and sanding when you can just…
Skip it.
Let’s just talk about costs for a second.
Did you know that every dollar you don’t spend on maintenance today costs you four dollars in future repairs?
In other words, that little crack you ignore will lead to water damage. Then, the water damage leads to rot. Then, you have to tear out rotten boards.
Before you know it, you’re talking about thousands of dollars.
When coatings fail prematurely, it happens for a reason.
Here is what occurs when wood finishes don’t last:
- Labor costs double because you have to strip the old finish before reapplying
- You just wasted materials by applying finish 1
- Water seeps through and causes damage to framing, insulation, etc.
- You have to close your building for emergency repairs
All of a sudden, what could have been a small refinishing project turns into a mega project. Yikes.
Do yourself a favor and take the time to prepare surfaces.
You’ll thank yourself when repair bills are in the thousands…
…and not millions!
The Best Wood Finishes to Prevent Costly Repairs
Not all wood finishes are created equally. In fact, some finishes fail quicker than others despite how they look when applied.
When it comes to choosing coatings, spend more money to save money down the road.
Here are a few things to look for when purchasing wood finishes…
Look for UV resistance – Sunlight will degrade wood very quickly if it’s left unprotected.
Look for moisture protection – Water is the enemy of wood. Make sure your finishes provide a strong protective barrier against water.
Look for flexibility – All finishes will expand and contract with temperature changes. Make sure the coatings you choose can handle movement.
Lastly, look for good adhesion – Coatings that grip well to wood last longer.
Just remember, high-quality finishes from reputable companies have additives that protect from all of these.
They might cost you more money upfront, but you won’t have to worry about applying them every few years.
Pro-tip: your finish system is more important than the individual products you use.
Primers, sealers, and topcoats are designed to work together. Using products that aren’t made for each other results in adhesion problems.
Speak with your supplier about using a finish system from the same family of products—that way, you know all of your layers are formulated to work together.
How to Properly Prepare Surfaces Step-by-Step
Now it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of preparing surfaces.
Keep in mind, if you skip any of these steps, you are asking for coating failure.
Surface Inspection and Assessment
The first thing you want to do is take a look at your entire surface. You want to make note of:
- Existing coating failures
- Water damage or rot
- Cracks/gaps holes
- Mildew/biological growth
Make a list of these areas before you get started. Areas with damage should be repaired before beginning any surface preparation.
Surface Cleaning
You would not paint over dirt on a surface, would you? Nope. Yet that’s basically what you do when you skip cleaning during the prep process.
Pressure washing is the best way to remove surface contaminants. When dealing with interior wood, simply vacuum and wipe down with a cleaner.
Make sure the surface is completely dry before moving on to the next step. Moisture trapped under the finish will cause bubbling and peeling.
Surface Sanding and Profiling
Wood finishes adhere better to rough surfaces. Sanding helps create microscopic scratches on the wood. Small cracks for the finish to grab onto.
There are different levels of sanding/ profiling depending on the job at hand.
New wood will need a light sanding to open up the grain.
Old, weathered wood will need heavier sanding to remove damaged wood fibers.
Wood that has been previously coated will need to have all loose material removed.
Regardless of which type of surface you’re working with, you want the surface to be smooth with some texture. If there are shiny spots after sanding, that’s where your coating will not adhere.
Priming and Sealing
Primers have 2 purposes. They seal wood surfaces and provide a layer for topcoats to grip.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when finishing wood is skipping primer.
Apply the primer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. There is a reason minimum and maximum coverage rates exist.
Cutting your coats too thin will save material, but you compromise the coat’s protective abilities.
Performing Annual Maintenance
You did the work to properly prepare your surfaces and choose a high-quality finish. Now what?
Maintain it! Just because you’ve applied coatings doesn’t mean they’ll look nice forever.
Perform an annual inspection of your building exterior. Look for:
- Cracking/peeling finishes
- Fading/discoloration from UV damage
- Mildew growth in shady areas
- Water staining or damage
Take care of these small issues ASAP. They’re small now. Don’t let them turn into big (costly) problems.
Clean your surface annually. When dirt builds up on coatings, it traps moisture against the surface.
Proper Cleaning Solution: Mild soap and water.
Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage your finishes.
Touch up any areas of concern. Waiting for the whole surface to start peeling before reapplication is never a good idea.
Take care of little issues before they become big issues.
Wrapping Things Up
If you do one thing today to prevent costly repairs in the future, make it surface preparation.
Investing the time to properly prepare your surfaces ensures coatings do their job.
Here’s your quick recap:
- Proper surface preparation is more important than wood finishes
- Taking shortcuts costs more money over the life of the project
- High-quality finishes with proper application last longer
- Annual building inspections help you spot issues early
Building owners who skip major repair bills happen to do one thing differently than others.
They understand that preparation and finishing are an investment, not an expense.