Failure of Coatings on Wood Substrates Due to Surface Preparation and Application

Applying a coating to a wooden deck requires two primary steps: first, preparation of the deck and second, application of the coating. The nature, complexity, and methodology of these steps depend on the type of coating, the condition of the substrate, and the intended use of the system. Surface preparation is one of the most critical aspects of the coating process; in fact, it is the most important factor relative to obtaining proper adhesion and improper surface preparation is the number one cause of premature coating failures. If a coating does not adhere to the substrate, it will not perform as intended. This paper provides a case study of wood decks which were systematically evaluated to determine the root cause of the observed delamination.