How Do Surface Conditions Impact Surface Preparation?

When you rely on structures and tanks, corrosion is your worst enemy. Structures and tanks can protect against rust for decades—or it can fail within a few years. It all comes down to surface conditions.

Why are Surface Conditions Important?

Breaking the corrosion cycle

How corrosion affects coating

What Factors Affect Surface Condition?

There are 4 main factors affecting surface conditions. Understanding these are critical to learning how to avoid them.

1. Humidity  - Exposure to moisture, including condensation, can cause:
   • Increased corrosion rates
   • Curing and adhesion problems while coating
2. Changes in weather  - As the weather shifts, a controlled environment must be constantly adjusted to compensate.
3. Temperature  - Unregulated air and surface temperatures can cause:
   • Condensation if the metal’s surface temperature reaches dew point
   • Improper curing of coating if temperatures are too high or low
   • Defects such as blistering, pinholing, cratering, dry spray and mud cracking.
4. Altitude  - A job site’s elevation can cause:
   • 3.6° F drop in temperature per 1,000 ft.
   • 1° F drop in dew point temperature per 1,000 ft.
   • Condensation if both temperature and dew point are not monitored

Creating Ideal Application Conditions

Regulating surface conditions

Why use Climate control

Learn about how our Surface Temperature Monitoring technology can help you control climate here.