General guidance
This Resource Centre provides general guidance only. Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions, the product technical data sheet and your site’s safe system of work. Isolate stored energy before maintenance. For safety-critical, regulated or uncertain applications, ask a competent engineer or the product manufacturer to confirm the specification.
Adhesives bond to the surface they touch. Oil, release agent, oxide, dust or moisture can become the weakest layer in the joint.
A controlled preparation process
- Read the technical data sheet. Confirm the recommended cleaner, abrasion method and any primer or activator.
- Remove gross contamination. Use a compatible method that does not spread oil across the surface.
- Abrade if specified. Create a sound, consistent surface without rounding critical edges or changing fit.
- Clean again. Remove residue with clean, low-lint materials.
- Allow to dry. Trapped solvent or moisture can interfere with cure.
- Prime or activate if required. Passive metals, low surface-energy plastics, large gaps or low temperatures may need special treatment.
- Bond promptly. Prepared surfaces can re-contaminate or oxidise.
Avoid touching a prepared bond area with bare fingers. For production work, define and audit the preparation process rather than relying on appearance alone.
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