What ever the required finish may be, the surface must be prepared properly if you desire consistent, long lasting results. Such preparation might include simply cleaning, priming the type of substrate or providing an intermediate undercoat to protect and support the various coating steps. Such preparation forms a key part of the specification and the work undertaken by the applicators. Often this step is short-changed and aesthetically provides little added value but the longevity of the applied finish will depend on this step. It must be thoroughly and correctly completed.