Surface Preparation for Painting of Steel Box Girder Joint

Steel surfaces need to be treated to prevent corrosion over the course of an asset’s lifetime. Surface preparation is the first step in this process. When defects are removed and the surface is properly cleaned, coating adhesion and performance improve.
Steel surface preparation removes the physical defects and contaminants before coatings are applied. For steel structures and components, this process usually involves pre-cleaning and some type of blasting or grinding.
Pre-cleaning removes loose or soluble surface contaminants. Consider pre-cleaning when any of the following issues are at play:
1. The steel surface is contaminated with grease or oil
2. The steel surface is in a polluted area
3. The steel surface is near a high-sodium area (e.g. ocean or wintery bridge)
4. Other contaminant is visible on the surface