5 Steps to Evaluate Intercoat Adhesion

Posted Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

When painting steel garage doors that have been installed sometime in the last two years, it’s important to remove the layer of factory-applied wax. Failure to do so will result in poor adhesion of the new paint.

To remove the wax, lightly scuff the garage door surface with a GRAY (not green) 3M synthetic steel wool pad saturated with soapy water. Rinse with clean water. Remove any loose dust or soap film. Then perform the Adhesion Test.

5 Steps to Evaluate Intercoat Adhesion – Adhesion Test

Step 1

After proper cleaning, repaint a 4”x4” area of the garage door surface. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 2

Use a utility knife to cut a 2” X into the 4”x4” area you repainted.

Step 3

Place a 3” strip of Scotch 610 tape over the X leaving ½” of tape free for removal. Rub the tape 10 times with heavy pressure.

Step 4

Remove the tape by pulling it at a right angle.

Step 5

Examine the tape and the door for any signs of paint removal.

If the tape removes more than 1/16” of the repaint material from the X cut, the intercoat adhesion is inadequate.