a moldable composite material contains flakes of composite material , i . e ., flakes of polymeric matrix materials having fibers embedded therein . an improved substrate is provided by providing a substrate and applying a coating onto the substrate , the coating containing the flakes of composite material . a first construction member can be secured to a second construction member by applying the coating onto an attachment region of the first construction member , and applying a fastener onto the first construction member in the coated attachment region to secure the first construction member to the second construction member .