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How to Polish A Pontoon Boat Quickly - Beautiful Aluminum Shine
Top Tips for Yacht Care and Maintenance - From Hull to Floor
Top 7 Boat Cleaning Tips for Boat Owners - Some will Surprise You
Boat Detailing Kit - 12 Must Have Items
Why You Need to Use Starke Venom Water Spot and Stain Remover
How To Wetsand Your Boat - 4 Important Tips You Need To Know
Liquid Thor Nano Ceramic Coating vs. Repel Pro Ceramic Coating
What is the difference between Liquid Thor and Repel Pro?
The greatest benefit Liquid Thor is going to offer is an easier solution to application. We were trying to figure out how we could develop a ceramic coating that could more efficiently transfer the nano particles than Repel Pro without sacrificing durability.
What Exactly Is Triple P? And How Do You Properly Use It?
Frequently Asked Questions About Marine Grade Ceramic Coatings
For yacht owners and captains, investing in ceramic coatings for their yachts can be a little challenging and overwhelming. The idea of ceramic coating may be a little new to you, but don’t worry, we are here to help. Starke Yacht Care compiled a few commonly asked questions when someone like you is ready to invest in ceramic coating for their yacht.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coatings are a relatively new addition to the yacht & boat detailing world, but are far from a new science. Specifically, ceramic coatings are neatly ordered arrangements of Silicon (Si) and Oyxgen (O) atoms in a 3D polymeric framework.
This nano-ordering causes a highly durable, glass-like coating to form that is responsible for greatly increased durability, chemical and stain resistance, UV stability and hydrophobic properties. Ceramic coatings allow for an easier to maintain finish that is more maintenance friendly.
Is Ceramic Coating a DIY project?
This is certainly a two-part question, so let’s start with the simplest answer. Can you DIY a project of this size? Yes.
Do we recommend it? No, not really. If you own a superyacht or charter company, a DIY of this magnitude can take a very long time. Leave it to the professionals. Contact us so we can connect you to one of our certified applicator crews.
One other thing to consider: if you have an older yacht, it will take longer to prepare, which can mean a lot of downtime for your yacht. Applying ceramic coating requires a lot of preparation. One misstep and you’ll have to start all over. Do you want to risk being off the water that long?
Does it Last Long?
From the abrasiveness of seawater to rough weather patterns, yachts experience harsh conditions. The length of the coating depends on two things—the elements and maintenance.
The life expectancy is really a function of the itinerary for the vessel, factoring in where it lives, how much it’s fished/used and if its using our maintenance products and plan. Other factors and characteristics include whether it’s gel coat or paint and if so, what type, what age? A basic generalization would to reevaluate and possibly reapply after 12 to 24 months.
How Much Coating is Needed to Be Effective?
Determining the amount of ceramic coating for yachts isn’t an exact science. There are several mitigating factors, such as the length and width of your boat and super-structure size.
Initially, we recommend 50ml per every 100 square ft of your boat, with at least two coats for the interior and hull of your yacht. Our team will first inspect the size of your boat and then craft a plan that would work best for the vessel.
Wouldn’t I Save Money If I Applied it Myself?
Applying ceramic coating on a yacht requires many steps. If you miss one, then you jeopardize the bonding properties of the coating and this, in turn, may lead to poor performance or failure of the coating. Having the ceramic coating done professionally means that if something goes wrong it will be corrected. Starke Yacht Care offers a 12 month guarantee on the work completed by our certified applicators..
How Long Does It Take?
On a larger yacht, you may spend several days on preparation work. Applying one coat may take up to several hours. You will need to make sure the conditions are appropriate if working outdoors. Weather may be a factor and delay the process if the boat is not under cover.
Why Should I Use Starke Yacht Care Products
What’s great about our STARKE product line is that it was developed by a professional yacht detailer working very closely with chemists and the manufacturer. Paint rejuvenation and reconditioning can save yachts owners hundreds of thousands of dollars by not having to repaint. Repel Pro has proven itself as one of the industries top performing marine grade ceramic coatings that is capable of locking in the high gloss finish brought about from the STARKE compound and polishing system for 2-3 years.
How To Apply Ceramic Coatings To Your Yacht – A Step-By-Step Guide
Best Ceramic Coating for Yacht Paint and Gelcoat
What is a protective ceramic nano coating?
In laymen's terms, rather than 'sticking' to the surface like a wax, a coating semi-permanently bonds directly to the vessals marine paint or gel coat. On a nanomolecular level, the bond is so rigid and strong, the coating can last up to years on the surface. Chemically, coatings from one manufacturer to another can be drastically different. Their chemical makeup determines how well it performs, how good it looks, and how long it lasts. Its imperative that yacht owners and captains understand the marine grade ceramic coatings like Repel Pro are more viscous and have a higher level of solid and active polymeric materiall which will provide superior durability, protection, and ease of maintenance.
Marine grade coatings like Repel Pro provide fantastic resistance to light marring damage that is often instilled in the paintwork during the hand washing or drying process. Simply put - they aid in minimizing damage to the paintwork that is often put there through physical means (microfiber towels, brushes, etc). The coating once cured is 'harder' (but still flexible) therefore adding superior protection.
While coatings can last years, many will not. We can say with confidence, in South Florida, that almost any coating being offered today should see a minimum of 6-10 months of protection. The level of protection (how chemically resistant, abrasion resistant and hydrophobic it is) is determined by the quality of the coating. Any coating claiming a lifetime warranty, for example, most likely requires paid annual re-application/maintenance. Always read the fine print! Repel Rro offers up to 24 months in the rigid south Florida environment.
One of the best features of a coating is it's lifespan. The bonding these coatings form with your vessals surface means they can remain active for longer than any wax on the market. This is a large selling point for many people, as it lessens the amount of work and money required to maintain the vessal. The better the coating is maintained - the longer it will last!
How long do ceramic coatings really last?
In our experience, the life span of the coating is really a function of the itinerary for the vessel, in addition to factoring in where it lives, how much it’s fished/used, recommending our maintenance regime, amongst a host of other facts and characteristics about the boat (whether it’s gelcoat or paint and if so, what type, what age) a basic generalization would be a recommendation would to at least reevaluate and possibly reapply after 12 to 24 months depending.
What your paying for when you have a coating professionally installed
Coatings are a justifiably more expensive option than most waxes or sealants. They require extensive preparation of the surfaces being applied to, including the paintwork being polished and the coating being properly applied and cured. Any pre-existing damage, such as scratches and swirls, much also be addressed prior to the coating application, as they cannot be removed after the fact without removing the coating - which can involve heavy compounding or even wet-sanding.
