Predictika · Protective and marine coating system quotes

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

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a protective coating system on steel or concrete: surface preparation, an optional zinc primer, Macropoxy 646 and an optional urethane topcoat, with film thicknesses, application conditions and the gallons needed. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published product data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Macropoxy 646 coating systems on steel or concrete: Zinc Clad IV or Zinc Clad II primer, Acrolon 7300 topcoat, surface preparation, film thickness, application conditions and recoat times. See everything this validator covers

This validator models Macropoxy 646 protective coating systems, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Systems — Macropoxy 646 applied directly, over Zinc Clad IV or Zinc Clad II, or under an Acrolon 7300 topcoat on steel; two coats of Macropoxy 646 on concrete and masonry. Immersion service is allowed for Macropoxy 646 (salt or fresh water, not potable water); a zinc primer or topcoat in immersion goes to a person.
  • Surface preparation and films — the cleaning standard needed for the exposure and primer (SSPC-SP2/3 up to SP10 on steel, SP13 on concrete) and the dry film thickness ranges of each coat.
  • Conditions and timing — air temperature, humidity and dew-point limits, the minimum wait before Macropoxy 646 goes over a zinc primer and before an Acrolon 7300 topcoat goes over Macropoxy 646, and the theoretical gallons each coat needs, compared with the gallons the quote states.

Any Macropoxy 646 system quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine does not publish a price list, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), other products and topcoats, other substrates, other temperatures for the primer wait, application losses and packaging sizes.

The AI sales agentBuilds the coating system 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 3 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
A primer, topcoat and film thickness that must fit the substrateOnly with care
A product rule for each substrate and coat. It works, but every coat and thickness range is another rule to maintain, and some limits change when a topcoat is added.		Substrate, primer, topcoat and every film thickness are in one request and checked together.
A cleaning standard that depends on the exposure and the primerOnly with workarounds
The required standard depends on a choice on one line (immersion, or a zinc primer) and a value on another, so it needs a cross-line rule that interacts with the rest.		Exposure, primer and preparation are in one request, so the conflict is found whichever order the choices arrive in.
Application limits that differ by productOnly with care
Each product has its own temperature floor, so a rule has to look at every product on the quote.		The lowest temperature allowed is worked out from the products on the quote and compared with the conditions.
Waiting times that depend on the products and the temperatureOnly with workarounds
The minimum wait depends on the primer or the topcoat and on the temperature band, across separate lines.		Wait times are computed from the products and temperature and compared with the planned timing.
Stated gallons that must match the area and film thicknessOnly with care
A stated figure is a free-entry field; a rule can compare it with a computed quantity, but someone has to write and maintain that calculation.		The stated gallons travel with the quote and are compared with the computed gallons on every call.

  

  

    
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.

    
1Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 10.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 5.0 to 10.0 mils.
2Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 4.9 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 5.0 to 10.0 mils.
3Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 2.9 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 3.0 to 10.0 mils.
4Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 3.0 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 5.0 to 10.0 mils.
5The quote specifies surface preparation level 2 on steel; this system needs level 3 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
6The quote specifies surface preparation level 3 on steel; this system needs level 4 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
7The quote specifies surface preparation level 0 on steel; this system needs level 1 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
8Concrete and masonry surfaces are prepared to SSPC-SP13 (or ICRI 310.2R); the quote specifies a steel blast or tool-cleaning standard.
9The Macropoxy 646 data sheet lists only two coats of Macropoxy 646 on concrete and masonry; a zinc primer or Acrolon 7,300 topcoat is not part of that system.
10The Zinc Clad IV data sheet says it is not recommended for immersion service.
11Immersion service with a zinc primer or an Acrolon 7,300 topcoat is not a system listed on the Macropoxy 646 data sheet; Sherwin-Williams technical service should confirm it.
12The Macropoxy 646 data sheet says it is not acceptable for potable water immersion.
13The air temperature at application is 39 F; the products on this quote can be applied between 40 and 120 F.
14The relative humidity at application is 86 percent; the data sheets allow at most 85 percent.
15The zinc primer is quoted at 2.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet ranges are 3.0 to 5.0 mils for Zinc Clad IV and 2.0 to 4.0 mils for Zinc Clad II.
16Acrolon 7,300 is quoted at 4.5 mils, above the usual 2.0 to 4.0 mil range; the data sheet mentions higher builds of 4.0 to 6.0 mils, so a person should confirm it.
17Acrolon 7,300 is quoted at 6.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range is 2.0 to 4.0 mils per coat, with higher builds of 4.0 to 6.0 mils.
18The Acrolon 7,300 topcoat goes on 7 hours after Macropoxy 646; the data sheet minimum recoat time at this temperature is 480 minutes.
19The Acrolon 7,300 topcoat goes on 47 hours after Macropoxy 646; the data sheet minimum recoat time at this temperature is 2,880 minutes.
20Macropoxy 646 goes on 3 hours after the zinc primer; the data sheet minimum recoat time at 77 F is 4 hours.
21The zinc primer data sheets give the recoat time at 77 F only; at 60 F a person should confirm the wait before Macropoxy 646.
22The zinc primer data sheets give the recoat time at 77 F only; at 100 F a person should confirm the wait before Macropoxy 646.
23The quote states 54 gallons of Macropoxy 646; the area and film thickness on it need 55 theoretical gallons.
24The quote states 1 gallon of Macropoxy 646; the area and film thickness on it need 55 theoretical gallons.
25Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 11.0 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 3.0 to 10.0 mils.
26The quote specifies surface preparation level 1 on steel; this system needs level 3 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
27The air temperature at application is 125 F; the products on this quote can be applied between 40 and 120 F.
28The relative humidity at application is 90 percent; the data sheets allow at most 85 percent.
29The surface is 2 F above the dew point; the data sheets require at least 5 F.
30The zinc primer data sheets give the recoat time at 77 F only; at 125 F a person should confirm the wait before Macropoxy 646.

  

  

    
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. Steel tank: preparation, wait and gallons: A steel tank with a zinc primer, a light cleaning and an early topcoat

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 18,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 4.0 mils, Macropoxy 646 at 6.0 mils and an Acrolon 7300 topcoat at 3.0 mils, over SSPC-SP2 hand-tool cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer and the topcoat goes on 6 hours after Macropoxy 646. The quote states 82 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Surface preparation too light for steel. The quote specifies surface preparation level 1 on steel; this system needs level 3 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
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  • Too soon to topcoat Macropoxy 646. The Acrolon 7,300 topcoat goes on 6 hours after Macropoxy 646; the data sheet minimum recoat time at this temperature is 480 minutes.
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  • Stated gallons differ from the quote. The quote states 82 gallons of Macropoxy 646; the area and film thickness on it need 94 theoretical gallons.
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2. Steel tank: preparation, wait and gallons: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 18,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 4.0 mils, Macropoxy 646 at 6.0 mils and an Acrolon 7300 topcoat at 3.0 mils, over SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer and the topcoat goes on 24 hours after Macropoxy 646. The quote states 94 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Quote summary. 18,000 sq ft; theoretical gallons: Macropoxy 646 94, zinc primer 71, Acrolon 7,300 50.
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3. Bridge steel: conditions and film thickness: Bridge steel in wet conditions with films outside the data sheet ranges

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 26,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 5.5 mils, Macropoxy 646 at 11.0 mils and an Acrolon 7300 topcoat at 3.0 mils, over SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 91 percent relative humidity and 3 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer and the topcoat goes on 24 hours after Macropoxy 646. The quote states 248 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Macropoxy 646 film thickness outside range. Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 11.0 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 3.0 to 10.0 mils.
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  • Humidity too high. The relative humidity at application is 91 percent; the data sheets allow at most 85 percent.
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  • Surface too close to the dew point. The surface is 3 F above the dew point; the data sheets require at least 5 F.
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  • Primer film thickness outside range. The zinc primer is quoted at 5.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet ranges are 3.0 to 5.0 mils for Zinc Clad IV and 2.0 to 4.0 mils for Zinc Clad II.
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4. Bridge steel: conditions and film thickness: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 26,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 5.5 mils, Macropoxy 646 at 7.0 mils and an Acrolon 7300 topcoat at 4.5 mils, over SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer and the topcoat goes on 24 hours after Macropoxy 646. The quote states 158 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Primer film thickness outside range. The zinc primer is quoted at 5.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet ranges are 3.0 to 5.0 mils for Zinc Clad IV and 2.0 to 4.0 mils for Zinc Clad II.
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  • Topcoat at the higher build. Acrolon 7,300 is quoted at 4.5 mils, above the usual 2.0 to 4.0 mil range; the data sheet mentions higher builds of 4.0 to 6.0 mils, so a person should confirm it.
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5. Bridge steel: conditions and film thickness: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 26,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 4.0 mils, Macropoxy 646 at 7.0 mils and an Acrolon 7300 topcoat at 3.0 mils, over SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer and the topcoat goes on 24 hours after Macropoxy 646. The quote states 158 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Quote summary. 26,000 sq ft; theoretical gallons: Macropoxy 646 158, zinc primer 102, Acrolon 7,300 72.
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6. Immersion service: A potable-water tank with a Zinc Clad IV primer in immersion

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 9,500 sq ft of steel in immersion (potable water) service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 4.0 mils and Macropoxy 646 at 8.0 mils, over SSPC-SP6 commercial blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer. The quote states 66 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Surface preparation too light for steel. The quote specifies surface preparation level 3 on steel; this system needs level 4 or better (1 = SP2, 2 = SP3, 3 = SP6, 4 = SP10; 0 = SP13, a concrete standard).
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  • Zinc Clad IV not for immersion. The Zinc Clad IV data sheet says it is not recommended for immersion service.
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  • Not acceptable for potable water. The Macropoxy 646 data sheet says it is not acceptable for potable water immersion.
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  • Immersion system not on the data sheet. Immersion service with a zinc primer or an Acrolon 7,300 topcoat is not a system listed on the Macropoxy 646 data sheet; Sherwin-Williams technical service should confirm it.
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7. Immersion service: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 9,500 sq ft of steel in immersion (salt water) service: Zinc Clad II primer at 3.0 mils and Macropoxy 646 at 8.0 mils, over SSPC-SP10 near-white blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point; Macropoxy 646 goes on 24 hours after the primer. The quote states 66 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Immersion system not on the data sheet. Immersion service with a zinc primer or an Acrolon 7,300 topcoat is not a system listed on the Macropoxy 646 data sheet; Sherwin-Williams technical service should confirm it.
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  • Quote summary. 9,500 sq ft; theoretical gallons: Macropoxy 646 66, zinc primer 29, Acrolon 7,300 0.
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8. Immersion service: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a protective coating system for 9,500 sq ft of steel in immersion (salt water) service: Macropoxy 646 at 8.0 mils, over SSPC-SP10 near-white blast cleaning, applied at 77 F, 60 percent relative humidity and 10 F above the dew point. The quote states 66 gallons of Macropoxy 646. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Quote summary. 9,500 sq ft; theoretical gallons: Macropoxy 646 66, zinc primer 0, Acrolon 7,300 0.
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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 quote for a protective coating system on steel or concrete: surface preparation, an optional zinc primer, Macropoxy 646 and an optional urethane topcoat. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published product data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote a protective coating system for 26,000 sq ft of steel in atmospheric service: Zinc Clad IV primer at 5.5 mils. The quote states 248 gallons of Macropoxy 646. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. Macropoxy 646 is quoted at 11.0 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet range for this system is 3.0 to 10.0 mils. The relative humidity at application is 91 percent; the data sheets allow at most 85 percent. The surface is 3 F above the dew point; the data sheets require at least 5 F. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four 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.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for a primer, topcoat and film thickness that must fit the substrate, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the macropoxy 646 film to 7.0, the topcoat film to 4.5, the relative humidity to 60 percent, the surface above dew point to 10 F and the stated gallons of Macropoxy 646 to 158.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding and one approval, all in one answer. The zinc primer is quoted at 5.5 mils dry film thickness; the data sheet ranges are 3.0 to 5.0 mils for Zinc Clad IV and 2.0 to 4.0 mils for Zinc Clad II.
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  12. Three findings cleared. Still blocking: primer film thickness outside range. A new approval needs a person: topcoat at the higher build.
    13. 
      
  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the primer film to 4.0 and the topcoat film to 3.0.
    15. 
      
  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. Both earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  18. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.