What is the best way to prepare the surface before thermal spray?
Grit blast is the best way to prepare a surface for thermal spray. This is after all the oil and grease have been removed from the part to be sprayed. The purpose of grit blasting is to remove all oxides and foreign material from the surface being sprayed. More importantly, the grit blast operation results in a surface that has many pits and textured areas where the thermal spray can attach to and lock into. The most common material used for grit blast is aluminum oxide and chilled iron.
For a more in-depth discussion, please go to this link:
Surface Preparation for Thermal Spray