First,
Not all 100% solids epoxies are created equally. Manufacturers can cheapen them with things like Benzyl Alcohol, Nonylphenol, or other liquid fillers. While small amounts of these chemicals can be a help to a formulation, they are commonly used in large amounts as a non volatile liquid filler. When used as filler at higher concentrations these chemicals weaken a coating. The next thing to consider is most unfortunate. Is the coating really 100% solids? Some products that claim to be 100% solids clearly are not when you look at the MSDS. Companies must report organic solvents on the MSDS. Organic solvents are volatile and are NOT solids. So any coating with something like Acetone, Xylene, Toluene, Cyclohexane... etc... cannot be and are NOT 100% solids. You will find many products out there that are advertised as 100% solids that contain these chemicals in the MSDS. Any addition of volatiles into a coating disqualify it from being 100% solids. Last is the chemistry... Polyamides are much less expensive (and MUCH less value) than aliphatics and cycloaliphatics. In general, the aliphatics are more durable, better resistance to yellowing, better abrasion resistance, better chemical resistance... etc.. etc.. etc..
Bob Smith (Budgetbob Enterprises) used to purchase our off-spec products to resell. When Bob passed away a couple of years ago his 15-year old grandson began to take over. We loved Bob but putting every garage floor in the hands of a 15-year old would have been irresponsible of us. While I was an extremely responsible teen, I don't even think that I would have been reliable enough. We also had issues with his mother (Bob's daughter). There was at least one of those issues written about here on GJ where someone was thankful that we shipped product to them at no charge when they were not taken care of by BB Enterprises.
We are friendly with the company that makes products for them. They have some decent products but the product you would get from us would be of higher technology and quality (cycloaliphatics vs. polyamides). The bottom line is that if you are trying to decide between Budget Bob and Wolverine, here is what you will get from Wolverine that you just won't get from other companies:
1) Support through AlphaGarage (Fred) who is SSPC certified in the coating of concrete. Many people here have raved about Fred. There is alot of value to this one advantage.
2) Wolverine Coatings is a real manufacturer with product development labs, chemists, chemical engineers, and cutting edge technological advancement. We are problem solvers in our industry whose products have been sold by many large companies (under their name) as cutting edge formulations. We know what we are doing.
3) Peace of mind that 2 mature companies are there to support you. That peace of mind can also be found here as you can see that the only detractors of Wolverine Coatings are people who have never used our products.
So, only you can determine the value of what you get for the money. Coating your garage floor is a lot of work and you only want to do it once. We suggest that we are worth the extra money and that you should plan to do it once... do it right... with the best possible products and support.
