Improvements in surface preparation of paint cross-sections necessary for advanced imaging techniques

A new polishing procedure is presented for the preparation of paint cross-sections with enhanced surface quality. As a result, chemical surface analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTM) imaging spectroscopy and Laser Desorption lon Trap Mass Spectrometry (LDMS) is now possible. Surface quality is demonstrated by FTIR-imaging, Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy and Interferometric Profiling.