Ceramic Coating....Let's Talk

[brewster16]

Seriously thinking of ceramic coating my blue hull now that spring is here. Boat is now hauled and scheduled for complete wash, polish and wax. Anyone with experience feel free to comment as I am thinking of holding on the wax after the polish and instead going with Armor Shield IX Nano Ceramic Coating. Your thoughts and experience?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

A marina neighbor had his GT40 done last year and it looks like a million bucks! He owns a large autobody repair shop and knows his stuff and knew enough to have it professionally done rather that just have one of his guys do it. He has plenty of dough though so probably did not blink when he wrote the check. I think he said he spent about $2500 for the job. I have not looked into getting a quote but that seems about in the ball park.
Cheers
Carpe Diem

 

[Gofirstclass]

OK, help this old fart out, will ya? What is the ceramic coating finish? Is it a spray on? Liquid? Splain dat for dis ol' gummer, would ya please?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Nano particle technology coating applied like a wax as I understand it. You can buy a spray on wipe off version but supposedly the more durable application takes some special training and professional application.
It sure does look great and what I can see lasts along time. The guy with the GT 40 just washes down with soft water and towels off.

 

[BEH]

Nano particle technology coating applied like a wax as I understand it. You can buy a spray on wipe off version but supposedly the more durable application takes some special training and professional application.
It sure does look great and what I can see lasts along time. The guy with the GT 40 just washes down with soft water and towels off.

I have it on my car.
Going on 3 years now.
Touch up once a year at Detailers, ($100.00)
Would do it again.

 

[RBB]

They will actually wet sand your boat .
Once that’s accomplished it is applied.
That is what the guy I got a quote from said. Supposedly last 3-4 yr depending on where your boat is.
He said nothing much would stick to it, spraying it off pretty much cleans it up.
i was told $2500 for my 390my

 

[brewster16]

So I emailed Avalon King, makers of Armor Shield IX ceramic coating, with an inquiry about the boat being in hot and salty conditions. They stated their product is not recommended for boats. Interesting.

 

[tc410]

Personally, I’ve stayed away from ceramic coatings on my boats up to this point. I had a guy wanting to apply a ceramic coating to my non-skid areas about 6 years ago. I told him back then I didn’t want to be a guinea pig in case it went wrong.

Those of us with flag blue (or black) hulls need to be particularly careful with these coatings - in my opinion. Due to the dark nature of our hulls, they do expand and contract based on heat, sunlight, cool evenings, etc. I’m still not convinced that something deemed “ceramic” is capable of expanding and contracting. By definition, “ceramic” does not reconcile with “flexible.”

Furthermore, consider what is required in 2-3 years after application as far as reapplying or maintenance. Does it begin to show signs of cracking or wearing off? Can you remove it with solvents, or do you need to be more aggressive - i.e. wet sanding?

Personally, I’m pretty comfortable with the results of higher end waxes and other tried and true sealants despite more frequent applications. And that, my friends, is my $0.02....

 

[JimT]

Personally, I’ve stayed away from ceramic coatings on my boats up to this point. I had a guy wanting to apply a ceramic coating to my non-skid areas about 6 years ago. I told him back then I didn’t want to be a guinea pig in case it went wrong.

Those of us with flag blue (or black) hulls need to be particularly careful with these coatings - in my opinion. Due to the dark nature of our hulls, they do expand and contract based on heat, sunlight, cool evenings, etc. I’m still not convinced that something deemed “ceramic” is capable of expanding and contracting. By definition, “ceramic” does not reconcile with “flexible.”

Furthermore, consider what is required in 2-3 years after application as far as reapplying or maintenance. Does it begin to show signs of cracking or wearing off? Can you remove it with solvents, or do you need to be more aggressive - i.e. wet sanding?

Personally, I’m pretty comfortable with the results of higher end waxes and other tried and true sealants despite more frequent applications. And that, my friends, is my $0.02....

Ceramic coatings have been applied to countless cars with dark paint that sit outside in the sun. I have not heard of any issues regarding the coating not being "flexible" enough. My car is black. The ceramic coating has not cracked or worn off. I refresh it every couple of months with a product called Reload. After 15 months the coating looks like new. It beads water like new. I highly recommend ceramic coating on cars. On boats the issue would be cost. If you extrapolate the application cost from a car to a large boat it may be cost prohibitive.

 

[andy k]

I have always buffed and used wax or sealants over the years. I an contemplating using a ceramic coating like Glide Coat. If anyone has done ceramic coatings have you had any issues or complaints about this product? Is there a particular brand you would recommend over another?

 

[carterchapman]

I have always buffed and used wax or sealants over the years. I an contemplating using a ceramic coating like Glide Coat. If anyone has done ceramic coatings have you had any issues or complaints about this product? Is there a particular brand you would recommend over another?

Reach out to @nealtrombley - I think he just had his boat done...

 

[JHornsby3]

I have read stories and know a few pilots that have used it on their planes. Nothing protects the paint better than the ceramic coatings. A bug at 100 plus MPH will take out paint quick. And I seriously doubt the hull of a boat is going to flex as much as an aircraft. Aerobatics guys are starting to swear by this.

The spray on, wipe off stuff only has to have .001% of the product to be considered "ceramic". So if you go that route, check the amount before buying. You will just have to reapply more often to get the same results as a pro install.

John

 

[Jus the two of us]

Guy next to us with a Pewter hull 52 had his done 2 years ago, They wet sanded, worked on it for 8 days, Bill was 12 grand. Two years later it looks terrible, White hazing everywhere. Was thinking about it till I watched his go down hill fast. I will stick to wax.

 

[Carver370]

Many people misunderstand that Ceramic coating is what makes the boat shine.

Wrong. The boat needs to be visually perfect before applying, if there’s any oxidation or dirt left, it’s going to come right back.

If the boat is too far gone to begin with, it probably won’t work at all.

Most of the time, it’s a wet sand, compound, polish, and then alcohol wipe prior to coating.

Once you have the boat at the point before coating, chances are a really nice high end sealant will work really well year after year.

I’ve had to wet sand or chemically remove the ceramic on a few boats, it’s nothing I want to do to mine.