FOUR THOUSAND BUCKS for ceramic coating on a 190?

[MrX]

Did I hear that right when I called a place? I have a new boat coming and I of course want to take great care of the paint, it's the beautiful new Lagoon Blue.

I know coatings aren't cheap but are they f'n kidding me???? The paint upgrade from the factory only cost $1300.

For $4,000 I think I'll hand wax it twice a season, or use something else. It will not be kept in the water, and will only be used in freshwater lakes.

I'm not trying to sound cheap but that is ridiculous.

Can this really be an accurate price? This is like 7% of the cost of the boat for god's sakes.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Slow down, deep breath. You will not have it in 3 years. Trust me, its new, its pretty, it will be gone. Just enjoy it.

 

[JHornsby3]

Did you by chance ask them what the percentage of the chemical is to the solution? From what I understand, they can use a solution of .05% and still call it ceramic. For less than $1000 you can buy a case of the stuff and buff it on. And that is a solution of 2% IIRC.

I talked to a guy that applies it to aircraft. He said it's not worth using on aircraft or boats. His study of the stuff was it just washes out too quick to be worth it. But he still uses it on a few planes a week.

Something to look at.

 

[MrX]

Slow down, deep breath. You will not have it in 3 years. Trust me, its new, its pretty, it will be gone. Just enjoy it.

The boat? I expect it to last 15-20 years. I see Sea Rays that old all the time at the docks and ramps, looking great. I'm fully prepared to spend a good amount on detailing but 4 grand is a joke for a coating.

 

[MrX]

Did you by chance ask them what the percentage of the chemical is to the solution? From what I understand, they can use a solution of .05% and still call it ceramic. For less than $1000 you can buy a case of the stuff and buff it on. And that is a solution of 2% IIRC.

I talked to a guy that applies it to aircraft. He said it's not worth using on aircraft or boats. His study of the stuff was it just washes out too quick to be worth it. But he still uses it on a few planes a week.

Something to look at.

Thanks. What does he apply to airplanes and boats, then?

 

[JimT]

prices for coatings are all over the board. Not unusual to hear $2000 to do a car. Extrapolate that to a 19" boat and I can see $4000. Not that I would pay it. Wax on, wax off.

 

[jmauld]

Pass. I love that color! If you want to maintain the color, wrap the boat. When the wrap fails or you’re ready to sell, remove the wrap.

 

[RBB]

Just had my corvette done, $1500. However it was buffed out and polished to the max, paint looked flawless. It is a 2019 model with 3750 miles. Could not believe the difference in the way it looks.

 

[JHornsby3]

Thanks. What does he apply to airplanes and boats, then?

He wouldn't give me a brand name but said it was just over 5%. What ever that means. He was very cryptic with me because I am in Oregon and he was in Ohio. Even though we both know a lot of the same acro pilots. I know a guy in CA that can get it and can ask him. But plan on at least twice a year application. More for salt.

 

[Espos4]

Extrapolate that to a 19" boat

I bet he gets a case of 20’ itis very quickly!

 

[RBB]

The boat? I expect it to last 15-20 years. I see Sea Rays that old all the time at the docks and ramps, looking great. I'm fully prepared to spend a good amount on detailing but 4 grand is a joke for a coating.

Ceramic coating is not going to last 15-20 years. My boat has been kept under roof since it was delivered new in Cincinnati in 06, and has been buffed and polished since every year.Still has a great shine.
My Corvette has also been kept inside. Would I pay what they would want to do the boat, no chance. But on the car its slick, I like it. Since the car dosen't spend alot of time out of the garage I am thinking the coating may last 10 years give or take.

 

[bmay1909]

Try Underdog Marine Sauce. Easy to apply and do it yourself.

Probably a good idea to do a light compound and polish before applying coating depending on how bad the swirl marks are coming from the factory.

I used this product on my 320 and it was beyond easy to clean through our Michigan summers and still shined when we sold it at the end of September. Plan on applying it again this winter to the 380!

 

[GypsmJim]

My 2018 Lincoln had it done 3 years ago. It was a $500 option, but they threw it in for free since I bought the Black label model. I don't know what brand or percentage.

I am anal about waxing my cars. In fact I LIKE doing it. My Lincoln has been problematic because when I wax it (or try) it doesn't seem to "take". In other words it doesn't need to be waxed. Washing is a dream. Bugs just seem to dissolve and wash right off.

My next car will have it on even if I have to pay the $500. However,........not $4000.

I waxed my previous garage kept boat once a year, and touched it up in between. After 35 years it still looked like new. If a boat is kept out of the sun when not in use, simple waxing is all that's needed. I would never "Buff" a boat ever. If waxing isn't enough you better find a better storage place.

 

[paulswagelock]

For a 19’ trailer boat it is a complete waste of money, even if it was $500. You can easily wax that boat by hand in 2 hours. Do that every few months, wipe it down with some quick wax after each use, keep it covered when not in use, and you won’t spend $500 over the next 15 years maintaining the exterior.

 

[MrX]

Ceramic coating is not going to last 15-20 years.

I mean the boat I plan on keeping 20 years. The ceramic coating would only last for 18 months, that's what she told me. For $4,000. LOL.

For a 19’ trailer boat it is a complete waste of money, even if it was $500. You can easily wax that boat by hand in 2 hours. Do that every few months, wipe it down with some quick wax after each use, keep it covered when not in use, and you won’t spend $500 over the next 15 years maintaining the exterior.

Yep. It will sit outside (but I have tonneau cover for all interior bits) sometimes until I get it into a covered slip.

 

[Jus the two of us]

Guy next to me paid $12000.00 to have a 52 done. 3 years later its out of the water getting redone. This time they are sanding and buffing before the coating, It is a pewter hull. time will tell but way to steep for me. I will be painting the Blue on ours before I do it.

 

[Pirate Lady]

The boat? I expect it to last 15-20 years. I see Sea Rays that old all the time at the docks and ramps, looking great. I'm fully prepared to spend a good amount on detailing but 4 grand is a joke for a coating.

It will last. Mine is 30. I meant the size, 19 is small. Most move up in size.

 

[Njlarry]

Ceramic coatings are easy to apply. Boat ownership gets very expensive if you write work orders for everything. One day max of labor, low overhead and he wants 4k? I am in the wrong business! Ceramic will last longer than wax but not that much. Turtle Wax makes dyi ceramic coatings that last 18 months vs 6 months for wax. Did one car last spring, super easy after a light buff. Check out youtube.

 

[Stee6043]

Man.....that liquid wax stuff they drizzle onto your car right before the dryers in the automatic car wash...that's where it's at, fellas

I saw two Ocean sport fish's get ceramic coatings this year right next to me at my marina. I assume they paid mega dollars. After a month or so I felt like the wow had already started to fade. For that kind of money it's going to need to "wow me" a lot longer than the Meguires does...

 

[firecadet613]

20' boat, just hand wax it. It will not take you long at all. I just put a coat on by hand, every spring and halfway through the summer on my 37'. Wish it was only 20' when it came to waxing!

Looks pretty good for an '07 if you ask me and it doesn't have the Sea Ray quality gel coat..