{"title":"Surface Preparation","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePro Tip: \u003c\/strong\u003eNever skip the primer. Primer keeps the water in the leveling compound from absorbing too rapidly into the subfloor, which prevents cracking, bubbling, and weak bonding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurface prep products are the foundation of any flooring installation. They are specialty formulations that help ensure ideal adhesion, block moisture, and create a perfectly smooth, level subfloor for a beautiful, professionally finished floor. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA primer like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fs400-4\/roberts-fs400-first-step-primer-4-gal-15-14-l-pail\"\u003eROBERTS FS400 First Step \u003cstrong\u003ePrimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e can help you ensure proper adhesion of flooring to porous substrates. It prevents over-absorption of adhesives to create a uniform finish and can help protect the adhesive and flooring from alkalinity. The greatest advantage is that it provides a better adhesion surface for a professionally finished floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen old flooring is ripped up, stubborn, reactive adhesive (like black asphalt-based cutback or pressure-sensitive glue) is often left behind – and you need an adhesive residue isolator like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fs410-4\/roberts-fs410-first-step-encapsulator-adhesive-residue-isolator-4-gal-15-14-l\"\u003eROBERTS FS410 First Step \u003cstrong\u003eEncapsulator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, a high-strength polymer formulated to isolate adhesive residues including old cutback, and to provide a clean, neutral surface ready for new adhesive - and to ensure proper bonding.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fs410-4","title":"FS410 First Step Encapsulator Adhesive Residue Isolator-4 Gal\/15.14 L","description":"ROBERTS® FS410 First StepTM ENCAPSULATOR is a high-strength polymer formulated to isolate adhesive residues including old cutback. Highly reactive, black asphalt-based cutback should be processed to remove trowel ridges so that only a thin, level film remains. Old cutback can react negatively with new adhesive, destroying the bond if not removed or encapsulated. FS410 ENCAPSULATOR can isolate the remaining cutback residue to prevent possible staining and damage to new adhesive and flooring. It provides a clean, neutral surface for installing new adhesive and flooring to ensure proper bonding.","brand":"ROBERTS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48906016686299,"sku":"FS410-4","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/4066\/3515\/files\/ROBERTS_FS410-4_FS410-First-Step-Encapsulator-Adhesive-Residue-Isolator-4-Gal-1514-L_1_uaatjl3rjfpi_20260623_8c8f3d34-af25-4b54-9d3a-30072176c93b.jpg?v=1782639202"},{"product_id":"fs400-4","title":"FS400 First Step Primer - 4 Gal. \/ 15.14 L Pail","description":"ROBERTS® FS400 First StepTM PRIMER is formulated to ensure proper adhesion of flooring to porous substrates. FS400 prevents over-absorption of adhesives to create a uniform finish and can help protect the adhesive and flooring from alkalinity. FS400 PRIMER provides a better adhesion surface for a professionally finished floor. 4-gallon pail includes a pour spout lid for easy dispensing.","brand":"ROBERTS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48906020290779,"sku":"FS400-4","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/4066\/3515\/files\/ROBERTS_FS400-4_FS400-First-Step-Primer-4-Gal-1514-L-Pail_1_xqyv97onv2pf_20260623_9f702f9d-3408-492d-b5cc-c95ae4f3b98a.jpg?v=1782639202"},{"product_id":"fs400-1","title":"FS400 First Step Primer - 1 Gal. \/ 3.78 L Pail","description":"ROBERTS® FS400 First Step™ PRIMER is formulated to ensure proper adhesion of flooring to porous substrates. FS400 prevents over-absorption of adhesives to create a uniform finish and can help protect the adhesive and flooring from alkalinity. FS400 PRIMER provides a better adhesion surface for a professionally finished floor.","brand":"ROBERTS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48906030350555,"sku":"FS400-1","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/4066\/3515\/files\/ROBERTS_FS400-1_FS400-First-Step-Primer-1-Gal-378-L-Pail_1_mvdgfhhuf1ay_20260623_e73b3b2d-a7c4-47e7-b577-fc7eb6fbd5f0.jpg?v=1782639202"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/4066\/3515\/collections\/Surface-Preparation_2500x651px.jpg?v=1781821774","url":"https:\/\/www.qep.com\/collections\/surface-preparation.oembed","provider":"QEP Co., Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}