Should I count both mating surfaces?

Yes, if both receive preparation. Count every distinct surface included in the measured cleaning and preparation sequence.

Does the time include solvent drying?

No unattended drying is included. Record active handling as labor and schedule the remaining drying interval separately.

Can I combine plastic and metal preparation?

Only when they use the same measured sequence and rate. Otherwise calculate each material group separately and add the labor hours.

Where should masking time go?

Enter masking in the separate labor input when your throughput excludes it. If masking is already timed into the rate, avoid adding it again.

Adhesives, Sealants & Industrial Bonding calculator

Surface Prep Workload Calculator

Estimate labor for cleaning and preparing a lot before adhesive application. Enter surface count, measured preparation throughput, masking and setup minutes, and available labor hours.

What this calculator does

Estimate surface preparation labor and compare it with your available staffed hours.

Formula used

First-pass labor (hr) = first-pass count ÷ rate ÷ 60
Additional labor (hr) = masking and setup minutes ÷ 60
Required labor = first-pass labor + additional labor
Hours balance = available labor − required labor

Inputs explained

Surfaces Needing Prep: Count from the lot traveler or test plan.
Surface Prep Throughput: Observed completed tasks per staffed minute.
Masking and Setup Labor: Active labor minutes from the work study.
Available Labor: Staffed productive hours assigned to this lot.

How to use the result

Best suited to bonding line preparation staffing, masking and cleaning labor quote.
Unattended drying and primer cure time are excluded. Different materials or preparation methods require separate calculations.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for industrial chemicals stands at 336.006 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 13.3% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The U.S. has 11,391 plastics and rubber products establishments employing about 815,988 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Should I count both mating surfaces? Yes, if both receive preparation. Count every distinct surface included in the measured cleaning and preparation sequence.
Does the time include solvent drying? No unattended drying is included. Record active handling as labor and schedule the remaining drying interval separately.
Can I combine plastic and metal preparation? Only when they use the same measured sequence and rate. Otherwise calculate each material group separately and add the labor hours.
Where should masking time go? Enter masking in the separate labor input when your throughput excludes it. If masking is already timed into the rate, avoid adding it again.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.