Steel Preparation Finishes

Since 2008, VariBlast have specialised in surface preparation — making sure steel is treated correctly before coatings are applied. Did you know that steel can be prepared to different finishes depending on the project? International standards such as SSPC, NACE, and the Swedish Standard (Sa/St) provide the benchmarks.

At the Bullring Link Bridge, for example, we prepared steel to level St3, using hand-held grinders for power tool cleaning.

Meanwhile, at the Portsoken project, we carried out dry blasting to Sa 2.5, achieving a very thorough blast-cleaned surface.

Each preparation method is carefully chosen to suit the needs of the project, whether that means precision grinding by hand or thorough blast cleaning. What never changes, however, is the outcome we’re working towards: steel surfaces that are uniform, consistent, and ready to perform. By achieving the correct level of cleanliness, we create the foundation for coatings to bond effectively, delivering both a high-quality finish and long-term protection against corrosion.