surface prep
Readying for finish
Surface prep is short for surface preparation—the cleaning, sanding, or treating of a surface before painting, coating, or bonding.
Proper surface prep ensures adhesion and durability: Don't skip the surface prep or the paint will peel.
The term appears constantly in construction, automotive, and DIY contexts.
- sandingFriction-smoothing a surface
- orbital sanderPower tool spinning abrasive
- primingMaking ready beforehand
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- scrapingRubbing away material
degreasing · rubbing alcohol · etching · abrasive · grit · roughen · smooth · wire brush · primer · putty · filler · masking · tape · dust · wipe · solvent · sandpaper · scuff
- art techniquespainting, drawing, sketching, shading, blending
- primingpaint primer, wood primer, spray primer, undercoat, base coat
- art preparationsketching, priming, color mixing, thumbnail sketches, underpainting
- surface preparationdegreasing, cleaning, sanding, priming, descaling
- woodworking prepsanding, planing, measuring, marking, squaring
- paintingoil painting, watercolor, acrylic paint, oils, oil paints
process stage
surface prepfinal coat
Last applied layer
finish coat · finishing · clear coat · sealing · protective coating
surface, prep, surfaces, surfaced, surfacing, resurface, resurfacing, prepare, preparation