iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To compare coatings and sealants companies like RPM International, look beyond total revenue: compare what they sell, who buys it, segment-level growth and margins, customer and channel concentration, geographic and operating exposure, cash generation, debt, acquisitions, and disclosed risks. Match reporting periods and accounting definitions across companies. RPM’s reporting structure changed effective June 1, 2025, so its older four-segment results need reconciliation before they can be compared with its current three-group structure.
Start with the business each company actually operates
“Coatings and sealants” can describe businesses with very different economics. One company may focus on consumer paint; another may sell protective coatings to industrial customers, roofing systems to contractors, or repair products for infrastructure. Compare product families and applications, then identify whether demand is tied more to maintenance, new construction, industrial activity, or consumer spending.
RPM describes its subsidiaries as making and selling specialty paints, infrastructure rehabilitation and repair products, protective coatings, roofing systems, sealants, and adhesives for construction, industrial, specialty, and consumer markets. That company description is from RPM’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2026; it is the company’s own characterization, not an independent assessment.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Compare segments, not just consolidated revenue
Consolidated revenue can conceal changes in business mix and performance. For each company, compare segment sales, growth, operating margins, and multi-year trends. Note which results reflect acquisitions, divestitures, or transfers between segments rather than underlying demand.
#1 Best Overall
- CERAMIC COATING FOR CARS: Delivers an extremely glossy, mirror-like finish on clean paint. Use as a standalone paint sealant or as a quick ceramic topper that deepens color and adds slickness. Not a one-step miracle coating and not a paint corrector
- 50-WASH CERAMIC PROTECTION: A true ceramic paint sealant, tested to a 50-wash durability rating for months of protection. Seals and shields your paint so it stays slick and beads water long after ordinary spray waxes have washed off
- CERAMIC SPRAY WAX ALTERNATIVE, QUICK AND EASY: Wash and dry first, then spray a thin, even coat onto one panel at a time and buff immediately. A thin, even coat ensures optimal bonding and maximum gloss
- EXTREMELY HYDROPHOBIC: True ceramic technology repels water, road grime, mud, and dirt, so your car stays cleaner between washes and rinses clean faster. Use on cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, boats, and motorcycles
- ULTRA SLICK SURFACE: An extremely smooth finish that is safe for all paint colors and clear coats, so the surface stays slick to the touch and dirt has less to grab onto between washes
RPM’s current three-group structure
Effective June 1, 2025, RPM realigned its reporting structure to three reportable groups. The approximate shares of RPM’s fiscal 2026 net sales were:
| RPM reportable group | Approximate share of FY2026 net sales | Business areas described by RPM |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Products Group (CPG) | 39% | Construction services and products, including sealants and adhesives, roofing, concrete repair, building-envelope solutions, weatherproofing, and restoration services. |
| Performance Coatings Group (PCG) | 27% | High-performance flooring, corrosion-control and fireproofing coatings, infrastructure repair, factory-applied industrial coatings, and related specialty lines. |
| Consumer | 34% | Rust-preventative, special-purpose, and decorative paints; caulks, sealants, primers, cleaners, and woodcare products. |
These are approximate sales-mix figures reported by RPM for fiscal 2026, not profitability measures. Use the FY2026 filing for the current structure and segment results.
Rank #2
- Conformal Coating for Electronics: The insulation conformal coating sealant provides sealing and insulation functions for electronic components, resisting moisture, dust and humidity, protecting circuits and ensuring stable operation
- Reliable Barrier: After curing, the silicone conformal coating forms a flexible, invisible protective layer on the surface, which is waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and wear-resistant, extending the life of components
- Insulation Reinforcement: The insulation conformal coating fits the components tightly without cracking, is resistant to high and low temperatures, and providing insulation protection for components during temperature fluctuations to achieve long-term electronic stability
- Simple Operation: After cleaning the surface, apply the conformal coating for electronics evenly to the part that needs to be sealed or bonded, and wait for it to cure. (5-8 hours for the initial stage, 24 hours for full curing)
- Widely Used: Insulation conformal coating are commonly used in circuit boards, electronic components, control boards, etc., and have good adhesion to most metal and non-metal materials, making them an ideal partner for repair and electronics enthusiasts
Reconcile RPM’s earlier four-segment reporting
RPM’s FY2025 Form 10-K described four reportable segments, with approximate sales mix of 38% CPG, 20% PCG, 33% Consumer, and 9% Specialty Products Group. RPM transferred businesses among groups effective June 1, 2025. Consequently, the apparent difference between those historical shares and the FY2026 mix is not, by itself, evidence of organic growth or decline. Reconcile the reporting change before comparing periods or peers.
Check customers, channels, and end markets
Customer concentration can make results more sensitive to a single buyer’s purchasing decisions. Also compare how companies reach customers: through distributors, contractors, direct sales, or end users. A broad product portfolio does not necessarily mean a broad customer base.
Rank #3
- UNSURPASSED SLICKNESS – You simply have to touch it to believe how slick this finish is.
- MAXIMUM GLOSS AND SHINE – Hands down the highest level of gloss and shine you will ever experience. Achieve mirror-like results in a simple application, right in your own driveway.
- QUICK AND EASY TO APPLY - Simply wash and dry your vehicle as you normally would. Then evenly spray a light coat directly to a panel or small area of your vehicle., then, just lightly buff the coating to an incredible shine! It really doesn't get any easier than this!
RPM disclosed that its largest customer represented 20% of Consumer segment net sales in fiscal 2026. That is a segment-level concentration figure, not a percentage of RPM’s total company sales. Compare the equivalent disclosures for other companies and note whether they identify concentration by customer, channel, or end market.
Assess geography and operating footprint
Compare domestic and international sales, manufacturing locations, sourcing, and exposure to currency movements or local market conditions. Geographic reach may diversify demand, but it also brings operational complexity; the number of countries in which products are marketed does not establish market share or performance.
Rank #4
- LONG-LASTING PROTECTION - SiO2 ceramic polymers create a durable barrier against corrosion, pitting, and salt damage, ensuring your metals stay pristine
- EASE OF MAINTENANCE - Repels water, dirt, and grime, making cleaning a breeze and keeping surfaces looking new with less effort
- VERSATILE APPLICATION - Ideal for pontoons, trailers, towers, and all raw or polished metals, offering a one-stop solution for metal care
- WATER REPELLENCY - Enhances water resistance, ensuring surfaces dry faster and remain clear of water spots and buildup
- UV RESISTANCE - Blocks damaging UV rays, protecting surfaces from the sun's harsh effects and prolonging the life of your metals
RPM reported $7.9 billion in net sales for fiscal 2026, marketed products in approximately 167 countries and territories, and operated manufacturing facilities at approximately 120 locations as of May 31, 2026. These are RPM-reported scale figures, not independent sector benchmarks or proof of relative strength. See the FY2026 Form 10-K for the company’s disclosures.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Test whether growth becomes durable earnings and cash
Compare several years of gross and operating margins alongside sales growth. Separate reported results from adjusted measures, and check how each company defines adjustments. Then assess cash generation, cash conversion, debt, liquidity, and returns on capital. These measures help distinguish growth that produces usable cash from growth that requires sustained investment or working-capital support.
Best Value
- ProtectaClear is a clear, protective coating that is specially formulated to protect high-use metal surfaces from tarnish, oxidation, and even fingerprints. It is easy to apply and leaves a hard, durable finish that is practically invisible. Keeps your metal surfaces looking new for years to come. Perfect for use on jewelry, silver, stainless steel, sinks & many other polished metal surfaces, ProtectaClear is a must-have for anyone looking to preserve the appearance and value of their metal.
- A 4 oz. can of ProtectaClear will seal & protect about 25 square feet of metal with 1 coat. Many projects require multiple coats for long-lasting protection.
- Protect plated or polished metals, seal jewelry and stop skin allergies. Make your jewelry hypoallergenic. Preserve Patinas from fading. Excellent adhesion even on mirror-polished metals.
- Easy to Apply. Dip, spray, brush or wipe on. Brush marks will self-level.
- Unsure what you need? Click on Flowchart image for help.
- Use the same fiscal periods and accounting basis for every company.
- Distinguish organic growth from acquired growth where the companies disclose it.
- Review margin trends by segment as well as at the consolidated level.
- Compare debt and liquidity in relation to cash generation, rather than treating a single balance-sheet figure as a complete risk assessment.
Examine acquisitions, investment, and capital allocation
Acquisitions can add products, markets, and distribution, but they can also raise integration risk and make reported growth harder to interpret. Compare acquisition activity and integration outcomes with spending on research and development, capacity, dividends, and share repurchases. Treat stated strategic priorities as management claims and evaluate them against subsequent operating and financial results.
Compare risks that can affect durability
Read each company’s own risk disclosures rather than assuming all coatings and sealants businesses face the same exposures. Relevant areas to compare include raw-material and energy costs, environmental and product regulation, litigation, competition, cyclicality, customer concentration, and acquisition integration. Focus on risks the company identifies and their potential financial materiality; generic risk lists alone do not establish that one company is safer than another.
Make the comparison on a like-for-like basis
Build a peer comparison using matching periods, segment definitions, and reported-versus-adjusted measures. Reconcile reorganizations and acquisitions before interpreting growth, and distinguish facts disclosed by a company from conclusions about competitive position. RPM’s fiscal 2026 filings establish its structure and selected scale and concentration figures, but those facts do not establish a peer ranking, comparative profitability, or whether its shares are attractively valued. For investment analysis, use current market prices and valuation measures alongside the latest filings and results for each company selected.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
