Ceramic Coatings And Sealants
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This video shows a section of ceramic-coated gel coat. When water is sprayed on that section, the water immediately starts to sheet off the surface, creating fast-draining channels allowing the water to quickly drain away. This is called "hydrophobic". The water wants nothing to do with the coated surface and says "I'm outta here!" Within minutes, the surface is dry, which helps prevent water spots and oxidation from forming. Even when water droplets stay on the surface, they're sitting on top of a super protective ceramic layer.
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In this video, the left side of the window is not ceramic-coated. When water is sprayed on it, the water remains on the window. It doesn't bead up or sheet off. The right side of the window was ceramic-coated. When sprayed with water, it immediately starts to bead up and sheet off.
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This video shows a section of a boat where a ceramic sealant has been applied. Water sheets off the gel coat quickly, leaving a dry surface and protective coating behind.
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Small droplets of water start to pool together just before they roll off the surface.
Ceramic protection has been popular in the auto world for quite a while now and is finally making its way over to the marine industry. The best way to explain a ceramic coating is that it’s a clear, glass-hard coating made of super fine nanoparticles that completely coats and seals the surface it’s applied to. In easier terms, it’s like a hard, candy shell that provides long-lasting protection from UV rays that cause oxidation, as well as stains and corrosion.
Ceramic Coatings vs Ceramic Sealants
A traditional ceramic coating is best applied in an enclosed area, such as a garage or boat shed. There can be no moisture or dust in the air, otherwise it can interfere with the application. It must be applied with a spray gun and requires a skilled hand and knowledge on how to apply it properly. Face masks, respiratory protection and skin coverings are required. Ceramic coatings harden up quickly so they must be spread properly and immediately after coating a small section. Once the object is coated, it must remain under heat lamps or full sun until the coating has cured, which can take up to a few days. When several layers are applied to a clean boat or vehicle that’s free of oxidation, it can provide up to 5 years of protection. However, this process is very expensive and can be cost prohibitive to most boat owners.
That’s where ceramic sealants come in. A ceramic sealant provides the same level of protection for up to 6 months, is much easier to apply, doesn’t require a cure time and is a much more affordable option. It can be done outdoors without having to worry as much about the weather. A ceramic sealant is an excellent way to extend the life and shine of your yearly detail job. It will boost the protection on your gel coat and any other surface you use it on, such as glass windows, plastic or vinyl window panels, varnished wood, stainless and non-skid. Think of it as applying more sunscreen throughout your day in the sun to make sure you have enough UV protection at all times. The less oxidation that occurs throughout the year, the less harsh buffing required to remove that oxidation. It's always best to be proactive about protecting your boat from the damages of oxidation!
We Use a Mix of Both Ceramic Coatings and Ceramic Sealants
We understand the requirements and difficulty of applying a ceramic coating properly, which is why we use a ceramic coating on areas that need special protection, such as glass windows, stainless rails, varnished wood and flat, horizontal surfaces where water tends to sit. We apply a ceramic sealant on the rest of the boat, including non-skid. This method allows us to boost protection throughout the year for each type of surface on your boat.
We invite you to contact us or fill out our estimate request form to learn more about these services for your boat.
Ceramic Coatings vs Ceramic Sealants
A traditional ceramic coating is best applied in an enclosed area, such as a garage or boat shed. There can be no moisture or dust in the air, otherwise it can interfere with the application. It must be applied with a spray gun and requires a skilled hand and knowledge on how to apply it properly. Face masks, respiratory protection and skin coverings are required. Ceramic coatings harden up quickly so they must be spread properly and immediately after coating a small section. Once the object is coated, it must remain under heat lamps or full sun until the coating has cured, which can take up to a few days. When several layers are applied to a clean boat or vehicle that’s free of oxidation, it can provide up to 5 years of protection. However, this process is very expensive and can be cost prohibitive to most boat owners.
That’s where ceramic sealants come in. A ceramic sealant provides the same level of protection for up to 6 months, is much easier to apply, doesn’t require a cure time and is a much more affordable option. It can be done outdoors without having to worry as much about the weather. A ceramic sealant is an excellent way to extend the life and shine of your yearly detail job. It will boost the protection on your gel coat and any other surface you use it on, such as glass windows, plastic or vinyl window panels, varnished wood, stainless and non-skid. Think of it as applying more sunscreen throughout your day in the sun to make sure you have enough UV protection at all times. The less oxidation that occurs throughout the year, the less harsh buffing required to remove that oxidation. It's always best to be proactive about protecting your boat from the damages of oxidation!
We Use a Mix of Both Ceramic Coatings and Ceramic Sealants
We understand the requirements and difficulty of applying a ceramic coating properly, which is why we use a ceramic coating on areas that need special protection, such as glass windows, stainless rails, varnished wood and flat, horizontal surfaces where water tends to sit. We apply a ceramic sealant on the rest of the boat, including non-skid. This method allows us to boost protection throughout the year for each type of surface on your boat.
We invite you to contact us or fill out our estimate request form to learn more about these services for your boat.
Ceramic FAQ's
Q: What surfaces, finishes or materials can be ceramic coated?
A: Any surface! That's the beauty of a ceramic coating. It seals and protects glass, vinyl, plastic, rubber, metal, gel coat and paint, as well as many other types of surfaces on your boat or vehicle.
Q: Can a ceramic coating be applied over other protectants?
A: Yes, it can. Even if your boat has some wax or polish on it or a previously applied ceramic product, it can be applied on top of those protectants, helping extend the lifespan of those products.
Q: What is the application process of a traditional ceramic coating?
A: Ceramic coatings bond to the surface they're applied to, which is what creates the super hard, glass-like protection that they offer. In order for the coating to bond, the surface must be clean and dry and the space in which you're applying the coating must be free of dust and moisture so the coating doesn't sit on top of a layer of dust or moisture and instead bonds with the actual surface it's being applied to. That's why it's best to coat a boat or vehicle in an enclosed space such as a garage or boat shed to prevent any particles from landing on the surface being coated. Ceramic coatings should also not be applied in direct sunlight.
The ceramic coating is sprayed onto the surface and quickly wiped in. It starts to cure within seconds and becomes difficult to spread around once it starts to cure. It will need several hours under a heat lamp or several days in the sun once it's been applied and is starting to cure. Due to this special process and equipment, pure ceramic coatings can be cost prohibitive on anything larger than a car or ski boat.
Q: What is the application process of a ceramic sealant?
A: A ceramic sealant is much more forgiving than a ceramic coating. Although it offers similar protection and bonds with the surface it's applied to, it can be sprayed on and wiped in or rinsed off immediately after applying because of its reduced curing time. The protection offered by a ceramic sealant can last for 6 months, can be applied to any surface and helps prevent oxidation and fading just like a ceramic coating does. Due to the easier application, it doesn't cost nearly as much as a ceramic coating.
Q: Why do you use a combination of ceramic coating and sealant for your ceramic services?
A: We wanted to use a ceramic coating as much as we can where it's feasible and use a ceramic sealant everywhere else. The ceramic coating we use cures quickly and is meant for outdoor use. The combination of using a special ceramic coating and sealant allows us to provide exceptional protection from oxidation throughout the year while making this service much more affordable than a pure ceramic coating application.
Q: Will a ceramic coating make my boat (or car) look glossy or shiny again?
A: Yes and no. What really makes your boat look glossy is a fresh layer of gel coat (or paint), whether it's because your boat is brand new or because it has recently been compounded to remove oxidation. This is why a boat looks glossy; it has no oxidation. Once your the gel coat has been compounded, leaving a fresh layer of glossy gel coat, it needs to be protected with something, whether it's wax, polish or a ceramic coating or sealant, to keep oxidation at bay or prevent it from coming back altogether. Pure wax starts to degrade after a few months while wax-free polishes and ceramic coatings or sealants last a lot longer, especially when used together to seal and protect the surface it's applied to. In other words, a ceramic coating or sealant will help prevent oxidation, which will keep the gloss from fading.
Q: Why do you suggest having it done every few months or at least once between my yearly detail jobs?
A: We suggest this because our goal is to prevent oxidation from forming at all and the best way to do that is to make sure all surfaces of your boat are continuously protected throughout the year. It's just like applying more sunscreen throughout the day to ensure you don't burn. By applying additional protection as needed, your gel coat will last much longer and remain in better condition throughout its life.
Q: Won't this add to the cost of my boat's maintenance each year?
A: Yes and no. It will add a small amount to the cost of maintaining your gel coat and other surfaces on your boat each year, but not nearly as much as it would cost if you didn't maintain those areas and had to spend more money to compound your boat each year or paint your boat if the gel coat is thinning.
Q: Can a ceramic coating or sealant be applied to an older boat with thinning or failing gel coat or paint?
A: Yes! A ceramic coating or sealant is perfect for an older boat that has gel coat or paint that can no longer handle a buffer or compound. The ceramic coating on its own doesn't remove oxidation, but because it will seal and bond with whatever surface it's applied to, it can still offer a level of protection from further UV damage to your gel coat or paint when using a buffer or compound isn't an option.
A: Any surface! That's the beauty of a ceramic coating. It seals and protects glass, vinyl, plastic, rubber, metal, gel coat and paint, as well as many other types of surfaces on your boat or vehicle.
Q: Can a ceramic coating be applied over other protectants?
A: Yes, it can. Even if your boat has some wax or polish on it or a previously applied ceramic product, it can be applied on top of those protectants, helping extend the lifespan of those products.
Q: What is the application process of a traditional ceramic coating?
A: Ceramic coatings bond to the surface they're applied to, which is what creates the super hard, glass-like protection that they offer. In order for the coating to bond, the surface must be clean and dry and the space in which you're applying the coating must be free of dust and moisture so the coating doesn't sit on top of a layer of dust or moisture and instead bonds with the actual surface it's being applied to. That's why it's best to coat a boat or vehicle in an enclosed space such as a garage or boat shed to prevent any particles from landing on the surface being coated. Ceramic coatings should also not be applied in direct sunlight.
The ceramic coating is sprayed onto the surface and quickly wiped in. It starts to cure within seconds and becomes difficult to spread around once it starts to cure. It will need several hours under a heat lamp or several days in the sun once it's been applied and is starting to cure. Due to this special process and equipment, pure ceramic coatings can be cost prohibitive on anything larger than a car or ski boat.
Q: What is the application process of a ceramic sealant?
A: A ceramic sealant is much more forgiving than a ceramic coating. Although it offers similar protection and bonds with the surface it's applied to, it can be sprayed on and wiped in or rinsed off immediately after applying because of its reduced curing time. The protection offered by a ceramic sealant can last for 6 months, can be applied to any surface and helps prevent oxidation and fading just like a ceramic coating does. Due to the easier application, it doesn't cost nearly as much as a ceramic coating.
Q: Why do you use a combination of ceramic coating and sealant for your ceramic services?
A: We wanted to use a ceramic coating as much as we can where it's feasible and use a ceramic sealant everywhere else. The ceramic coating we use cures quickly and is meant for outdoor use. The combination of using a special ceramic coating and sealant allows us to provide exceptional protection from oxidation throughout the year while making this service much more affordable than a pure ceramic coating application.
Q: Will a ceramic coating make my boat (or car) look glossy or shiny again?
A: Yes and no. What really makes your boat look glossy is a fresh layer of gel coat (or paint), whether it's because your boat is brand new or because it has recently been compounded to remove oxidation. This is why a boat looks glossy; it has no oxidation. Once your the gel coat has been compounded, leaving a fresh layer of glossy gel coat, it needs to be protected with something, whether it's wax, polish or a ceramic coating or sealant, to keep oxidation at bay or prevent it from coming back altogether. Pure wax starts to degrade after a few months while wax-free polishes and ceramic coatings or sealants last a lot longer, especially when used together to seal and protect the surface it's applied to. In other words, a ceramic coating or sealant will help prevent oxidation, which will keep the gloss from fading.
Q: Why do you suggest having it done every few months or at least once between my yearly detail jobs?
A: We suggest this because our goal is to prevent oxidation from forming at all and the best way to do that is to make sure all surfaces of your boat are continuously protected throughout the year. It's just like applying more sunscreen throughout the day to ensure you don't burn. By applying additional protection as needed, your gel coat will last much longer and remain in better condition throughout its life.
Q: Won't this add to the cost of my boat's maintenance each year?
A: Yes and no. It will add a small amount to the cost of maintaining your gel coat and other surfaces on your boat each year, but not nearly as much as it would cost if you didn't maintain those areas and had to spend more money to compound your boat each year or paint your boat if the gel coat is thinning.
Q: Can a ceramic coating or sealant be applied to an older boat with thinning or failing gel coat or paint?
A: Yes! A ceramic coating or sealant is perfect for an older boat that has gel coat or paint that can no longer handle a buffer or compound. The ceramic coating on its own doesn't remove oxidation, but because it will seal and bond with whatever surface it's applied to, it can still offer a level of protection from further UV damage to your gel coat or paint when using a buffer or compound isn't an option.
