Selected Answers

From john schultz of o-gee paint co on October 28, 2015:
There is no one best coating; everything depends u ...read more There is no one best coating; everything depends upon what the owner is willing to accept balanced against what they are willing to pay in product and labor for preparation. An apartment or warehouse owner has different expectations to the bottling plant or frozen storage manager. We do our best to inform the customer of what they can reasonably expect given their particular situation.

From Tom Schwerdt of Active Transportation Advocates on May 26, 2015:
I will agree with Warren and also supply some of t ...read more I will agree with Warren and also supply some of the questions he mentions. There is insufficient information to legitimately answer the original question posed. What is the existing paint? What is its condition? How long did it last before deteriorating? Is there any unusual pattern to the deterioration? What is the condition of the substrate? What is the current moisture migration, both liquid and vapor? What are the environmental conditions? What cleaning processes are currently used? How often? Will they continue in the same pattern? What is the desired/expected lifespan of the new coating? What condition changes will determine "end of life" for the new coating? Et cetera.

From Tim P. Simpson of Simpson & Associates SDVOSB LLC on May 21, 2015:
In many ways as a contractor, I have the same ques ...read more In many ways as a contractor, I have the same questions regarding the path to performance for coatings as a client would. We both want a recommended system to perform well with consideration for useful life and overall cost. With manufacturers sometimes limited to recommending the products they produce, the responsibility of the specifier would be to analyze a client's substrate, environment, timing, monetary constraints, visual desires and then match the best system or systems to the project. Also important, in my view, is to present a comprehensive explanation in understandable terms to the specific client as to why the specific coating or system of coatings is being recommended. Who prepares the surface and applies the coatings can also determine the success or failure of the best of materials.

From Warren Brand of Chicago Corrosion Group on May 18, 2015:
I had a meeting with one of the largest public fac ...read more I had a meeting with one of the largest public facilities in the world just last week. I was asked a similar question about a different type of asset. When we get questions like this, we explain that the wrong questions are being asked. I'm sure we'll get a variety of lengthy responses to this question asking a myriad of questions, which is appropriate. It doesn't matter what substrate or asset you're trying to protect, the question should be, "what process will you be using to determine an optimal solution to our problem." Far too often, people look for a material solution without fulling understanding the condition of the asset, its environment and what the client needs. They are quick to sell their product first, without first understanding. It's the old, "Ready, fire, aim." And then everyone's surprised when there are massive coating failures and the premature end of service life.