Christopher- The SSPC (was the Steel Structure Painting Council, now Society for Protective Coatings provides guidance/guidelines for surface preparation (SP) levels which vary according to the material to be coated and the coating material. Check out their website. Twybil -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>