Are you SMITHing for longer life?
If you’re not SMITHing, it’s not lasting.

SMITHing is an acronym for Surface-prep Method Insures Total Happiness
(aka: Surfaces last longer, Job Success, No failures, You get Paid, The job lasts).

	SMITHing before installing a new surface assures performance success.
	SMITHing it clean, dry and texturized maximizes the bond strength of the installation.
	SMITHing removes any loose materials or old surface build-ups.
	SMITHing opens up the substrate pores for maximum surface adhesion.
	SMITHing is the extra layer of protection that your installed materials stay in place.

How SMITHing works:
SMITHing is a process of scratching, scoring, marking, notching or etching the surface using flailing style cutters on a rotating cylinder cutter drum. The drum contains cutting shafts outfitted with cutters that fit loosely so they flail or strike the surface at various depths. The flailing against the shafts creates a great force whereby the surface can be removed at a rapid rate. Cutter spacing on the drum influences surface depth and finish. Adding spacers increases surface depth and coarseness. Eliminating spacers reduces depth and improves surface finish. Depending upon the type of cutters, depth of surface penetration, drum rotation and cutter pattern, a variety of finishes can be achieved from a very smooth finish (#1) to an extremely coarse texture (#10), as depicted on the following chart.

How SMITHing helps you...Click here to learn more

SMITHing defined: Surface-prep / Method / Insures / Total / Happiness

Drum Assemblies

Contractors?
If you are a contractor and would like to see surface preparation specified, as a separate line bid item on your next contract, let us know how we can help you . . . click here

Governments?
If you work for the government and want your surfaces to last longer, let us know how we can put SMITHing to work for you . . . click here

Owners?
If you own the surface and are looking for specifications to help you achieve longer surface finishes, let us know how we can help you . . . click here

Before you install . . . SMITH First

WHY SMITH First?
Contractors that SMITH First earn more.
Governments specifying SMITH First have longer lasting surfaces.

What is SMITH First?
SMITH First is
1. Preparing surfaces for installations
2. Removing existing pavement markings
3. Grooving the substrate to inlay markings
4. Reducing high spots, flow-lines, uneven surfaces
5. Any installation that you want to last longer

SMITH First creates value for contractors, governments and substrate owners and makes everyone’s job easier.

SMITH First is a message the traffic line removal and surface preparation industry uses to promote to help raise awareness on the role quality surface preparation and line removal plays in promoting long life, cost-effectiveness and safety.

SMITH First surfaces that are clean, dry and texturized perform best.

Test Deck Secrets Revealed
There's a secret, most coating manufacturers never reveal. To assure product approval, they surface-prep (SMITHing) prior to their installations.

Why, because their product approval rate increases exponentially anytime coatings are installed on a clean, dry and texturized surface. SMITHing opens up the substrate increasing the surface area so the coating can embed itself under, around and deep to prevent adhesion failures.

Unfortunately, this prep secret isn't always revealed resulting in most specifications written without detail surface preparation as a separate bid item. Without surface-prep specified the burden for performance rests solely on the contractor. This is not a fair practice and must be changed. While the coating manufacturers are getting their products approved, they are not revealing that a reason for their product success is good surface adhesion.

Surfaceprep Method Insures Total Happiness

The Next Step?
Governments and Substrate Owners can SMITH First by introducing a separate line bid item for surface-prep on all their current and future installation projects. Contractors need to demonstrate the value of SMITH First with their customers before during and after their jobs.

Want to take the next step, join the Xtreme Removal Team, a partnership to grow the surface preparation and line removal market, through experience sharing of best practices is the first step.

Are you SMITHing for longer life? If you’re not SMITHing, it’s not lasting.

Before you install . . . SMITH First

Are you SMITHing for longer life?
If you’re not SMITHing, it’s not lasting.