How To Apply Ceramic Coatings To Your Yacht – A Step-By-Step Guide
At Starke Yacht Care, we consider ourselves yacht ceramic coating specialists. We offer marine grade ceramic coatings, and we’re passionate about the benefits that ceramic coatings can have for your yacht paint. Ceramic coatings offer better protection than wax and other polymer sealants, and can extend the life of your marine paint making it worth the investment.
While most ceramic coatings applied on yachts are done by professionals, we have made Repel Pro available to the end user consumer to where you or your crew can install. If you’re on a tight budget or own a smaller vessel, this may be a right for you.
In this quick guide, we’ll discuss the process of applying a ceramic coating to your yacht, and give you a step-by-step guide. Let’s get started.1.
1. Buy a Marine Grade Coating Like Repel Pro - There's a difference!
- Make sure it’s marine grade – Ceramic coatings can be used on a variety of different substrates. There are ceramic coatings available that are built for use on cars and appliances. However, these products are not right for your needs. Marine grade ceramic coatings like Repel Pro have to hold up under intense UV Rays saltwater, exposure to the elements, exhaust soot, and other difficult conditions. So make sure you’ve picked a marine grade coating, or else your results will not meet your expectations.
- Choose a coating that will last up to 2 years – Most ceramic coatings, like Repel Pro can last up to 2 - 3 years with proper care.
- Pick a “degradable” coating product – You may have heard that coatings are permanent, lets be clear, There’s no such thing as a “permanent” coating product. Repel Pro along with any other coating will degrade. The coating will wear down, and wear out. Usually, reapplication will need to be assessed every 12-24 months. Don’t fall for “permanent” ceramic coatings. .
- Correct Your Paint Or Gelcoat
The first step you should take before applying a ceramic coating is to correct your paint or gel coat. You’ll want your yacht to be in near-perfect condition before application of the coating
You should remove and correct oxidation and other issues on your yacht before applying your ceramic coating. These coatings can’t remove oxidation, and won’t make an untreated surface look better. We recommend getting your yacht’s paint job corrected by professionals or with the STARKE Polishing system to ensure that it’s in tip-top shape before applying Repel Pro or any other ceramic coating..
- Decontaminate
After buffing and polishing, clean the paint with a 50/50 isopropyl alcohol/water solution. This provides you with a clean, polished, and consistent surface, to which your ceramic coating can adhere.
- Apply The Compound Outside Of The Sunlight
Try to avoide applying the coating in direct sunlight. The UV rays can make the coating “cure” too quickly, which is not ideal. Apply your ceramic coating in a cool, dry area, away from the sun.
Repel Pro should be applied with applicators pads. Pads make it easier to ensure you place consistent, even coating of ceramic compound onto your vessel.
- Be Patient And Wait For It To Cure
Most ceramic compounds take at least 8 hours to cure. You should also wait at least 24 hours before exposing your vessel to water, and 7 days before using any chemical cleaning compounds on the exterior. Failing to do so can result in damage to the ceramic coating.
- Consider A Second Coat
We always encourage a second coat. A second coat helps to fill in and level out any unevenness in the coating. After a second coat, the marginal benefit of the third is greatly diminished and not worth it.
If you do plan to apply a second coat, ensure that the first coat is completely cured (usually 1 hour) before you begin applying the second coat.
Not Interested In DIY Coatings? Call Starke Yacht Care Today!
These instructions should help you apply a Repel Pro or any other marine grade ceramic coatings on your yacht. But if you have a larger vessel, or you’re not interested in applying the coating yourself, we can help. Starke Yacht care works with a number of certified private contractors who can handle any job.
Our crews can handle every step of the application process. From preparation and paint correction, to application, and maintenance and wash care.Contact us to learn more about our rates, products, and availability!
