Surface preparation is the key factor in determining the success of a protective coating system. The equipment and techniques that can be used to achieve the desired surface cleanliness and roughness (profile) vary considerably. Traditional methods of surface preparation are now accompanied by new, innovative methods that have evolved mainly because of the issues surrounding the safe removal of lead-containing coatings from industrial structures. b). The ultimate objective of surface preparation is to create proper adhesion of a coating over an underlying substrate. Adhesion is the key to coating effectiveness. It determines whether the coating is merely a thin film lying on the surface or if it becomes an actual part of the substrate. Adhesion is even more critical for coatings subjected to corrosive or immersion environments. Proper surface preparation is vital to the service life and overall effectiveness of a coating for protection of the substrate. The purpose of surface preparation is twofold. c). The surface must be roughened, providing an increased surface area for a mechanical bonding of the coating to the substrate. This roughening is commonly referred to as anchor pattern or profile, and it is essentially a pattern of peaks and valleys etched into the surface. This pattern is most commonly obtained by abrasive blast cleaning, although it can be obtained by the use of certain power tools which simultaneously clean and roughen the surface.