-	Cleaning Surface: Remove grease and oil on the specimen surface by solvent, e.g., Alcohol, Acetone, or some other degreasing agent.
-	Abrading Surface: Use silicon-carbide paper to sand away uneven surface, paint, or rust and smooth the gaging area. Usually 320 grit first, follow by 400 or finer grit. Do not over abrade.
-	Marking Layout Lines: Use a clean rule and a fine pencil (2H or harder) or ball-point pen to draw the layout lines, usually a dash-cross, a cross skip the targeting strain gage area, for alignment.
-	Conditioning: Re-clean the gaging area.
-	Neutralizing: This is an optional step. A proper neutralizer will provide the right pH level at the specimen surface for better bonding with adhesive.