Deck General · Deck Maintenance

Before applying a finish coat of paint to bare steel, the most important preparation step is to:

Explanation

Adhesion depends on a clean, dry, properly prepared surface. Rust and mill scale are removed (chipping, wire-brushing, blasting), then a primer is applied before topcoats; painting damp or rusty steel causes early failure.

Authority: Knight's Modern Seamanship; coatings/preservation practice

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