Predictika · Marine and protective coatings

An AI sales agent's marine coating quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a coating quote for a hull or tank: the product, the area and film thickness, the paint volume and mixing ratio, the weather on the day, and the interval since the previous coat. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the manufacturer's published product data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it looked up.

Scope: Four Hempel coatings (Hempadur Quattro XO 17870, Hempadur 15590, Hempasil Nexus X-tend 27500 and Hempaguard X7 89900): film thickness, volume, mixing ratio, application conditions and overcoating intervals, from the public product data sheets. See everything this validator covers

This validator models quotes for these four Hempel products as described in their public product data sheets, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Film thickness and volume — the dry film must be within the data sheet range for the product; the paint volume on the quote must cover the area at that film thickness, using the volume solids of the data sheet (area times dry film divided by volume solids times ten).
  • Mixing — the base to curing agent ratio by volume must match the data sheet (4 to 1, 15 to 4 and 17.8 to 2.2 for the three two-component products).
  • Application conditions — the surface at least 3 C above the dew point, the minimum surface and product temperature, and the relative humidity limits for each product.
  • Method and thinning — the application methods the data sheet lists and the maximum thinning for each; brush or roller on a spray product and any thinning of Hempaguard X7 go to a person.
  • Overcoating intervals — the minimum and maximum interval at the listed surface temperatures for the previous coat and product pairs in the data sheets; a pair or temperature the data sheets do not list goes to a person.
  • Surface preparation and antifouling limits — new build blasted to at least Sa 2.5 for the two primers and the 90 month service and 120 day idle limits of Hempaguard X7.

Any quote for these four products that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices and pack sizes (Hempel publishes no price list, so this validator produces no price build-up), the many other Hempel products, a full paint system specification, and the data sheet topics outside this list such as recoating after long exposure. Where the data sheets give no overcoating interval for a pair of coats, the validator does not guess: it sends the quote to a person.

The AI sales agentBuilds the coating quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

8 scenarios in 4 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Paint volume that must cover area and film thicknessOnly with workarounds
The volume depends on the area, the dry film and the volume solids of each product, so it lives in a calculation outside the quote and is easy to leave stale when the film thickness changes.		The theoretical volume is computed on every call from the data sheet volume solids and compared with the volume on the quote.
Mixing ratio that differs for each productOnly with care
Each product has its own base to curing agent ratio by volume, and a ratio typed for one product is wrong for another.		The ratio is computed from the litres on the quote and compared with the data sheet ratio of the chosen product.
Overcoating interval that depends on the previous coat and the temperatureOnly with workarounds
The minimum and maximum intervals depend on the pair of coats and on the surface temperature, so a table has to be kept in step with the data sheets.		The interval is looked up for the pair and the surface temperature on every call and compared with the hours on the quote.
Weather limits that differ for each productOnly with care
The dew point margin, the humidity limits and the minimum temperatures are separate conditions for each product, and a change to one input can break another.		All conditions are checked together on every call, so one problem never hides another.
Gray zones the data sheet leaves openOnly with care
Pairs of coats the data sheets do not list, brush application and thinning of a product that says to consult the manufacturer tend to become a custom approval flow.		Block, needs-approval and allow are separate outcomes, returned with the reasons.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The next coat goes on 5 hours after the previous coat; the data sheet minimum overcoating interval at this surface temperature is 480 minutes.
2The next coat goes on 60 hours after the previous coat, which is above the data sheet maximum of 2880 minutes; roughening or Hempel advice is needed.
3The next coat goes on 2 hours after the previous coat; the data sheet minimum overcoating interval at this surface temperature is 360 minutes.
4The next coat goes on 1 hours after the previous coat; the data sheet minimum overcoating interval at this surface temperature is 90 minutes.
5The overcoating table lists intervals only at certain surface temperatures; the quote has 25 C, so the interval was not checked.
6The data sheets list no overcoating interval for this previous coat and product; Hempel states that its project specification applies, so a person should confirm with Hempel.
7The next coat goes on 10 hours after the previous coat; the data sheet minimum overcoating interval at this surface temperature is 840 minutes.
8The quoted dry film thickness of 90 micron is outside the data sheet specification range of 100 to 250 micron.
9The quoted dry film thickness of 260 micron is outside the data sheet specification range of 100 to 250 micron.
10The quoted dry film thickness of 176 micron is outside the data sheet specification range of 80 to 175 micron.
11The quoted dry film thickness of 60 micron is outside the data sheet specification range of 30 to 50 micron.
12The quote has 150 L of mixed paint, but 1200 m2 at 125 micron needs at least 187.5 L theoretically at the data sheet volume solids.
13The quote has base to curing agent 150 to 50 L (ratio 3); the data sheet ratio by volume is 4.
14The quote has base to curing agent 96 to 24 L (ratio 4); the data sheet ratio by volume is 3.75.
15The quote has base to curing agent 232 to 29 L (ratio 8); the data sheet ratio by volume is 8.09.
16The surface temperature of 12 C is less than 3 C above the dew point of 10 C; the data sheet requires at least 3 C above the dew point.
17The surface temperature of -2 C is below what the data sheet allows for application of this product.
18The surface temperature of -10 C is below what the data sheet allows for application of this product.
19The surface temperature of 5 C is below what the data sheet allows for application of this product.
20The data sheet requires the product temperature to be above 15 C during application; the quote has 15 C.
21The relative humidity of 85 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
22The relative humidity of 80 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
23The relative humidity of 25 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
24The quote thins by 6 percent by volume; the data sheet allows at most 5 percent for this application method.
25The quote thins by 9 percent by volume; the data sheet allows at most 5 percent for this application method.
26The quote thins by 5 percent by volume; the data sheet allows at most 0 percent for this application method.
27The data sheet says to consult Hempel regarding thinning of this product; the quote thins by 3 percent.
28The data sheet lists no such application method for this product.
29The data sheet lists airless spray; brush or roller needs more coats to reach the dry film thickness, so a person should confirm.
30For new build the data sheet requires abrasive blasting to at least Sa 2.5; the quote has a lower preparation.
31The data sheet allows service intervals of up to 90 months for this antifouling; the quote has 91 months.
32The data sheet allows idle periods of up to 120 days for this antifouling; the quote has 121 days.
33The quote has base to curing agent 100 to 50 L (ratio 2); the data sheet ratio by volume is 4.
34The relative humidity of 90 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
35The quote thins by 8 percent by volume; the data sheet allows at most 5 percent for this application method.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Weather conditions: Surface 2 C above the dew point at 90 percent humidity

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur Quattro XO 17870 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 125 micron, with 152 L of base and 38 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 12 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 90 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Surface less than 3 C above the dew point. The surface temperature of 12 C is less than 3 C above the dew point of 10 C; the data sheet requires at least 3 C above the dew point.
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  • Relative humidity outside the data sheet limit. The relative humidity of 90 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
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2. Weather conditions: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur Quattro XO 17870 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 125 micron, with 152 L of base and 38 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 18 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 70 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Data sheet figures. Hempadur Quattro XO 17870: volume solids 80 percent, dry film 100 to 250 micron, mixing ratio by volume 4 to 1; 1200 m2 at 125 micron needs at least 187.5 L theoretically.
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3. Mixed volume: 1200 m2 of Hempadur Quattro XO at 125 micron with 150 L mixed, below the 187.5 L needed

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur Quattro XO 17870 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 125 micron, with 120 L of base and 30 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Paint volume below the theoretical requirement. The quote has 150 L of mixed paint, but 1200 m2 at 125 micron needs at least 187.5 L theoretically at the data sheet volume solids.
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4. Mixed volume: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur Quattro XO 17870 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 125 micron, with 152 L of base and 38 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Data sheet figures. Hempadur Quattro XO 17870: volume solids 80 percent, dry film 100 to 250 micron, mixing ratio by volume 4 to 1; 1200 m2 at 125 micron needs at least 187.5 L theoretically.
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5. Recoat interval: Hempaguard X7 over the tie-coat after 5 hours

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempaguard X7 89900 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 150 micron, with 231.4 L of base and 28.6 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It goes over Hempasil Nexus X-tend 27500 after 5 hours. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Overcoated before the minimum interval. The next coat goes on 5 hours after the previous coat; the data sheet minimum overcoating interval at this surface temperature is 480 minutes.
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6. Recoat interval: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempaguard X7 89900 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 150 micron, with 231.4 L of base and 28.6 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It goes over Hempasil Nexus X-tend 27500 after 12 hours. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Data sheet figures. Hempaguard X7 89900: volume solids 70 percent, dry film 80 to 175 micron, mixing ratio by volume 17.8 to 2.2; 1200 m2 at 150 micron needs at least 257.1 L theoretically.
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7. Mixing and thinning: Hempadur 15590 mixed 4 to 1 and thinned 9 percent for airless spray

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur 15590 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 40 micron, with 96 L of base and 24 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, thinned by 9 percent, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Mixing ratio differs from the data sheet. The quote has base to curing agent 96 to 24 L (ratio 4); the data sheet ratio by volume is 3.75.
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  • Thinning above the maximum. The quote thins by 9 percent by volume; the data sheet allows at most 5 percent for this application method.
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8. Mixing and thinning: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote Hempadur 15590 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 40 micron, with 90 L of base and 24 L of curing agent, applied by airless spray, with the surface at 20 C, the dew point at 10 C and the relative humidity at 60 percent. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Data sheet figures. Hempadur 15590: volume solids 44 percent, dry film 30 to 50 micron, mixing ratio by volume 15 to 4; 1200 m2 at 40 micron needs at least 109.1 L theoretically.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a coating quote for a hull or tank: the product, the area and film thickness, the paint volume and mixing ratio, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the manufacturer's published product data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it looked up.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote Hempadur Quattro XO 17870 for 1200 m2 of new build steel at a dry film of 125 micron. It is ready to send. The rest of the request is on screen.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with two findings, all in one answer. The surface temperature of 12 C is less than 3 C above the dew point of 10 C; the data sheet requires at least 3 C above the dew point. The relative humidity of 90 percent is outside the limit of the data sheet for this product during application and curing.
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  6. The validator returned two blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for gray zones the data sheet leaves open, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the surface temperature to 18 and the relative humidity to 70.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. Both earlier findings are cleared.
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  13. Two problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer.
    14.