Why do some exterior coatings seem to perform for decades while others blister, peel, crack and degrade within just a few years? While the topcoat formulation is certainly a factor for providing long-term performance, the majority of these field-applied coating failures can be traced to poor surface preparation and priming.
Building owners, architects and project specifiers embarking on exterior restoration projects need to carefully consider every step in the surface preparation process and be vigilant in their efforts to specify the proper primer for the job. Taking careful steps at the start of the coating project will help ensure proper adhesion of the topcoat, appropriate protection for the substrate and long-lasting performance of the entire coating system.