Private Label & OEM2 min read

A Distributor Sample That Arrives Without Instructions: What to Request

A distributor sample that arrives without instructions is not ready for a meaningful application trial.

Updated · NANOLAB Knowledge

A distributor sample that arrives without instructions is not ready for a meaningful application trial. Request the exact product information before using it, even if the liquid resembles a familiar coating. A sample's identity and handling requirements are part of the evaluation, not paperwork to collect after a result looks promising.

Request a complete sample record

Ask for the product identifier, batch or sample reference, current application instructions and safety documentation. Confirm approved substrates, preparation, working conditions, cure, storage and any open-container guidance. Keep the documents linked to the physical sample.

Clarify whether the sample is a production product, development variant or another evaluation material. Do not assume that claims from a retail webpage apply to a formulation supplied under a different reference. If the supplier cannot identify the sample adequately, defer the trial.

Inspect the container and label on arrival and report damage or leakage through the supplier's process. Avoid transferring unknown material into an unlabelled workshop bottle.

Restart the evaluation with a defined question

Once the information is complete, choose a trial that stays within the approved use. Record the substrate, preparation, conditions and observations. Keep uncertainties visible rather than filling gaps with procedures borrowed from another coating.

Provide feedback using the sample reference so the supplier can trace the result. Include what worked, what was unclear and any deviation from the instructions. A well-documented sample trial helps both parties decide the next step; an undocumented application may produce an attractive panel while leaving the essential compatibility and reproducibility questions unanswered.

For instructions for your exact NANOLAB product and surface, use the current product documentation or contact NANOLAB.