Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preventing a material from adhering to a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the material comprises weld spatter and the surface is located near a welding operation. The method comprises coating the surface with a slurry comprising a mineral material in water. The slurry contains from 10% to 70% solids by weight and not more than 5% by weight of a material that decomposes when heated to 1000° F. for one minute. The slurry is allowed to dry to form a barrier coating before the material contacts the surface.