Decision checklist
- existing-system removal requirements
- surface profile/cleanliness requirements
- contaminants and moisture concerns
- sound versus unsound substrate
- repair completion before final prep
- manufacturer/specifier requirements
Why it changes scope
Each input can change preparation, repair quantity, system selection, access, sequence, cure protection, or return-to-service assumptions. Leaving it undefined does not make it disappear; it moves uncertainty downstream.
Contractor boundary
A real project would reconcile the owner/specifier requirements, manufacturer data, field conditions, and any engineering or regulatory responsibilities before execution. This concept does not replace those parties.
Use this before selecting the finish system
Owners often see the named coating as the scope because it is the visible final layer. In practice, preparation may determine adhesion, repair compatibility, profile, cleanliness, and whether the specified system can be installed at all.
Keeping this education separate from the Protective Coatings capability page prevents a common sales-page shortcut: implying that choosing a premium material solves an undefined substrate.