In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it

"it" is ok to use here as it correctly refers to rough surface - paint in this context is a verb not the noun.

However I can't justify A as it is not parallel.

C is out because after the 2nd comma the GMAT usually wants an "and"
Between A and B I would have chosen B - anyone know a rule for A?

A - The first "it" is a placeholder, and is therefore acceptable.
B - Needs two commas.
C - "Then" appears too many times.
D - Too wordy.
E - Wordy and lacks a comma.

Options B, C, and E are easy to eliminate. Choice D sounds awkward; the word "surface" is used three times in one sentence.

(D) for me also.
All other options, "it" may refer to the surface or the primer. So even if surface appears 3 times, it looks necessary in this construction. OA?

rightly said..........
'it' in option A is a placeholder and is not referring to the surface.
So the second 'it' correctly has surface as its antecedent.

So A is the best choice in this one.

Can anyone explain whether option E would be correct if it were '(E) the surface, apply primer to it, and then paint it ' instead of ' (E) the surface, apply primer to the surface and then paint it' ??

to sand.......and then paint it are not parallel

IMO A

I think that we can properly say "sand it" without ambiguity because there is not one available noun "it" could refer to other than "surface." The first "it" is solely a placeholder.

B- Too many "it's"

C- Too many it's, not succinct, and it is not suggested that you need to sand before priming

D- Repetitive, too long, use of "you"

E- Repetitive

In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to sand it and apply primer before applying the paint.
(A) it and apply primer before applying the paint
(B) it and prime it and paint it
(C) it, then prime it, then paint it
(D) the surface and apply primer before you
apply paint to the surface
(E) the surface, apply primer to the surface and then paint it

The trick in the question is to see the clause "IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY AND EVENLY PAINT A ROUGH SURFACE"
Question has already defined the subject (ROUGH SURFACE) and action (PAINT)
all that needs to be done is to define the thing to be painted it with
Now lets look at the options
(A) it and apply primer before applying the paint
subject is the ROUGH SURFACE and hence IT clearly refers to ROUGH SURFACE
"and apply primer..." states the action and stuff with which to paint
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT
B)it and prime it and paint it
First of all AND is used incorrectly
Action of PAINT has already been stated in the first part...OUT
(C) it, then prime it, then paint it
Same problem,PAINT used again..OUT
D) the surface and apply primer before you
apply paint to the surface
Here PAINT is reused,ROUGH SURFACE is repetedly used,IT should be used..OUT
(E) the surface, apply primer to the surface and then paint it
same issue as stated before

OA in Brutal doc stands correct