Representation and Misrepresentation

We’ve seen quite a few posts on various social media platforms and LinkedIn lately that seem to be attempting to guide prospective customers into believing that the posting company or organization has a secret formula to solving all their problems.

Some of these posts have boasted of proprietary products that only they have access to. Sometimes these magical products somehow have the ability to affect the pH balance or efflorescence producing properties of concrete several inches below the surface. Others somehow have the ability to penetrate through existing, failing coats of paint and bond with the original substrate, or using a mysterious process with a complex sciency sounding name can re-bond your scaling concrete floor. In these, and other cases, a little bit of critical thinking, or asking the right questions, will benefit you.

If a manufacturer made a specific product that solved a pre-existing problem, what are the chances they would limit their potential customer base to 1 company in a given region. Not good odds. Additionally, if existing failing products or substrates are allowed to remain in place, they will continue to fail. There is, more commonly, either an incorrect product or contaminant somewhere in the previous system that wasn’t prepared properly. If the previous paint system isn’t removed, the failure will progress no matter what product is applied on top.

The generally reliable truth is that there are no cheaper option shortcuts. It’s true that paint and coating manufacturers are constantly in research and development mode. New products are being released all the time. That being said, they are most commonly variations on previously existing products making them longer lasting, better adhesion, tougher impact resistance, or similar improvements. Master Painter Institute standards exist for a reason, and there are annual adjustments, but the phrase “there’s nothing new under the sun” is a good general rule to adhere to. If there are new or different products that will give your new paint system a better chance at a longer life, your MPI Certified Coatings Consultant will know about it and make that suggestion.

The best analogy we can make here is when you’re trying to get in shape and shed the winter layer before beach season. There’s no substitute to doing the work. You’ll be sold on pills, injections, surgeries, or some other magical solution, but in the end, we all end up cutting back on calories and living on the treadmill.

Your best advice will always come from a 3rd party consultant and inspector. We are always up to date with new products and are experienced in preparation proceedures for given situations. We can sniff out a lie like old leftovers in the fridge. We work to the best interest of the client and aren’t interested in “selling” you any products, processes or services you don’t need. We’re not affiliated with any manufacturers or contractors, so can back up any recommendations and address issues with common sense solutions.