Words of the Wise:

"The quickest way to achieve a paint failure is improper surface preparation." Source: Plascon, Zambia (from across the mighty Zambesi River in Africa)

"Over 80% of all paint failures can be attributed to poor or improper surface preparation." Source: PPG paint school

"... the life of the coating is related more to the initial surface condition than the type of paint, its thickness or any other factor." Source: R. Francis "Beating Rust on Farm Buildings".

"Good paint deserves a good surface. Remember 80% of paint failures are due to poor surface preparation." Source: Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation

"Failure of coatings in service with problems such as corrosion and blistering are nearly always caused by inadequate pretreatment." Source: "Metal Pre-Treatment" published by BSTSA)

"A paint job is only as good as the surface (and its preparation) to which it is applied."

"Surface preparation is often the most costly ... over half the cost of paint application (exclusive of scaffolding)." Source: H.G. Lasser "Painting of Structural Steel", ASM Metals Handbook, 9th Edn., Volume 5.

"For paints and coatings there is no rule of thumb, always consult an expert." Source: "Corrosion Control Checklist", 2nd Edn., NPL (UK), 2001.

Do not assume that maintenance procedures that seem easy on paper can be easily implemented in practice.
Source: "Corrosion Control Checklist", 2nd Edn., NPL (UK), 2001.

"Paint covers a multitude of mistakes." Source: USACE manual

"Sharp edges and welded areas have always been a source of breakdown of surface coatings due to a number of factors." Source: ISO Bulletin, October 2000, p.17-19.

There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey. Source: John Ruskin  (1819-1900).