Why Sa 2.5 preparation decides your next five years
Surface preparation, dew point control and film thickness records matter more to coating life than the paint specification itself.
Preparation is the product
Coating manufacturers publish performance data on the assumption that the substrate was prepared to the stated standard. When a hull is blasted to Sa 2.5 with a correct profile, an ordinary system performs well. When it is not, no premium system rescues it.
Salt contamination and residual chlorides are the quiet failures. Fresh-water washing and conductivity testing cost hours; premature blistering costs an unplanned docking.
Control the atmosphere, not just the steel
Steel temperature must stay a minimum of 3°C above dew point through application and cure. In the Marmara climate this often means working coating windows around the day rather than through it, and dehumidifying enclosed tanks.
Records are what you actually buy
Per-coat dry film thickness logs, ambient readings and photographic coverage are the only evidence that a system was applied as specified. They also settle warranty discussions years later, when the crew and the paint rep have both moved on.