What to send your coating supplier when requesting a quote

A coating shortlist should begin with the project specification. The words water-based and solvent-based help describe a product family. Use the complete system requirements to confirm suitability for the intended location. Start with the substrate, exposure and required documentation, then compare individual models.

SINGAL's product listings identify NB and WB as water-based intumescent coatings and NCB and WCB as solvent-based intumescent coatings. These names provide a useful starting point; make the final selection from the exact product record and the project requirements.

Understand the Family Labels

In general terms, water-based and solvent-based describe the coating's carrier system. An intumescent coating expands under heat and forms an insulating char layer. Use this principle as a starting point, then confirm the fire resistance period, required film thickness and application with the model-specific documents.

Use the family label to organise a comparison, then confirm the complete handling instructions for the selected model.

For an outdoor structure, confirm suitability with the current technical and safety documents for the actual model.

Epoxy describes a resin family, so it is a different kind of label. SGHY is listed as epoxy based.

Keep epoxy as its own resin-family label rather than assigning it to the water-based or solvent-based group simply to complete a comparison table. Keep the catalogue's distinctions visible when preparing a shortlist.

Match the Exposure First

For an interior enquiry, the product titles identify NB as indoor water-based and NCB as indoor solvent-based. NB also has an Indoor Use specification field. Use these records to start a shortlist, then confirm suitability for the specific interior steel structure.

For an exterior enquiry, WB is titled outdoor water-based and WCB outdoor solvent-based. Their descriptions refer to outdoor load-bearing steel components. Send the actual exposure conditions with your enquiry and confirm the complete system for the intended location.

Explain whether the steel will be coated before installation or at the project site.

Identify any existing coating and provide the proposed system information. Include these points in the technical review instead of relying on a photograph or a product name.

Compare the Exact Models

NB is listed with an acrylic base and one component. NCB also lists an acrylic base and one component.

This demonstrates why the resin name alone cannot distinguish these two catalogue groups. Use the full model name and the product's own water-based or solvent-based description together.

WCB lists a Specialized Topcoat field. NCB carries the same field.

That wording calls for a complete approved topcoat specification. Ask which accompanying product and application requirements apply to the proposed system. Choose a finish only after its compatibility with the project brief has been reviewed.

SGHY provides another comparison point. Its record lists an epoxy base and two components. Include SGHY in an enquiry when an epoxy option needs review, and request the model-specific instructions before planning mixing or application rather than inferring a mixing ratio from the component count.

Check Thickness Requirements

A catalogue can contain several technical fields without explaining how they relate.

WB currently has both a Coating Thickness field and a Recommended dry film thickness field with different values. Ask the supplier to reconcile those entries before using them for a quantity calculation or a project specification.

Use the current technical document and the conditions behind each entry to resolve that difference. The reviewed response should identify which information applies to the proposed work, rather than relying on the smaller value, an average or an assumption about successive coats.

The same discipline applies when a record places consumption and fire resistance fields beside each other. Confirm their relationship through the relevant documentation and a product-specific review of the required thickness and performance criteria.

Compare Commercial Terms Carefully

NB currently displays a FOB reference price of US $2.7–4.5 per kg and a listed minimum order of 100 kg.

WCB displays US $3.8–6 per kg on the same price basis and a listed minimum order of 100 kg. Treat these as product-specific reference entries and request a quotation for the selected model and order.

Ask the supplier to confirm the selected model, quantity, packaging and destination in one response. Comparing only the lowest displayed number leaves important questions unanswered. Keep any proposed product change visible, so a revised price does not silently become a different technical selection.

NB and WCB list a 20 kg barrel in their Package fields. WB instead has a package gross-weight entry without that same Package field.

Keep gross weight separate from confirmed net coating mass. Obtain the packaging details before converting a material requirement into a barrel count.

Prepare a Useful Enquiry

Include the exact model or the options you want compared. Add the substrate, interior or exterior exposure, project location and required standard.

Relevant drawing notes and performance criteria help explain the request. State which requirements are fixed and which need technical review before selection.

Request the current TDS, SDS and applicable test documentation using the model name. Ask for clarification of any inconsistent catalogue fields in the same message. Keep the received documents together with the quotation, so the commercial offer and technical review refer to the same product.

After that review, follow the application method, surface preparation, drying conditions and inspection requirements in the reviewed documents. Use this purchasing checklist to prepare the enquiry; the reviewed documents provide the application instructions and fire protection basis.

Review Products and Send Requirements

Compare NB indoor water-based coating, WB outdoor water-based coating, NCB indoor solvent-based coating and WCB outdoor solvent-based coating.

For an epoxy comparison, review SGHY. Read the technical support checklist, then request a quote with your product shortlist and project requirements.