Ceramic coating process

[larry_arizona]

Just starting the process of ceramic coating my boat. Thought it might be interesting to show the process on a new boat start to finish.

Starting off with a new boat helps, but even a new boat needs quite a bit of polishing to get the gelcoat looking it’s best.

I am surprised how many scuffs, scratches, mars and defects come on a new boat.

Step 1: wash and decontaminate boat of existing wax and polish residue.

I simply use dawn dish soap to strip any existing wax or polish. This is the only time I recommend using dawn as a wash on gelcoat.

They do polish boats at the factory, because there is a white polish residue in the rub rails and other fitting around the boat.

My dealer also used some form of spray wax or detailer to make it look it’s best in the showroom.

Need to get that off.

Step 2: correcting and polishing gelcoat.

Paint and gelcoat are really nothing alike. Paints are typically softer and easier to correct and gelcoat is very hard and it’s porous and more difficult to correct. You typically can’t get a gelcoat to be as perfect as paint, so set your expectations accordingly.

Compounds exist specifically for correcting gelcoats. I am not selling or promoting any of these products so do your research.

I am using an adams swirl killer random orbital (Rupes knockoff), it’s a good consumer grade polisher, if I was a pro, no question get a rupes.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210306/759f0ac88a2c901634c2106f562ea6e7.jpg

I am using blue heavy cut blue rupes foam pads, followed by yellow rupes foam and microfiber fine cut pads.

My theory on the blue heavy cut pads is on hard gelcoat, they will finish better than a fine cut pad......we shall see.

The compound I am using is Gyeon marine polish step 2. Gelcoat specific diminishing abrasive starts strong and finishes soft as you use it. With the boat being new, I don’t feel the more aggressive step 1 polish will be necessary. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210306/6a85ae09f1192d593ed86f1aa0280dda.jpg

After you polish, you will need a product that removes all the polish residue for ceramic coatings to bond properly. Carpro eraser or Feynlab panel prep, you can also use a water/iso propyl alcohol mix, but I am not a fan of it personally.

I have polished half the boat so far, 2 hours in and I am very pleased with how this is working. The boat is still in the showroom so I can only polish a couple hours at a time.

Stay tuned......


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[haknslash]

Nice and can’t wait to see more!

[Morvornagh]

Thanks Larry - this will be a really helpful series for a lot if us!!!


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[larry_arizona]

Going with IGL marine ceramic again.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210307/1dec035dd461851353bfe01cda78d97e.jpg


A little trick my pro detailer buddy taught me was using a leveling aid.

When you apply ceramic, depending on temp and humidity, the time you wait to wipe off and “level” the coating can widely vary.

If you wait too long and the ceramic hardens too quickly, you are left with high spots that look like streaks. A leveling aid will reactivate the coating and allow you to level the coating right away.

Without gut leveling aid, you would have to buff the streaks out and that is no fun.

If it’s a hot humid day, you’re likely going to want a leveling aid.


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[cwfehr]

This will be helpful. Thinking of doing the same. Not sure if I want to do myself or have a pro do it.

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[larry_arizona]

I am by no means a professional detailer although I do get guidance from a pro.

The point of this is anyone can DIY this with the proper tools,materials and process.

When I heard pros charging $2000-$3000 to correct and coat a wakeboat, I immediately thought can I do it myself?

I did autobody and paint to put myself through college, so I have a background in some automotive detailing and with that I do detail my own vehicles.

Gelcoat is a similar process but it’s different.

My purpose with this is if I can do it, any of those who want to do this can.

Is it worth the labor and materials cost? Maybe maybe not. But I enjoy working on my own stuff and have a high pride of ownership that drives me.

This may be a good time to say IGL marine is not available to non professional consumers but there are several marine specific coatings that are. If you have friends in the detail business, they can get this for you.

The main difference between pro and consumer is the amount of ceramic solids in the product. The more ceramic the harder it is to install properly and manufacturers want you to certify versus having bad installations in the field.

Pros can warranty a 5 year coating and consumer grade is a 2-3 year coating.

Other prograde coatings
1) Feynlab hydro
2) ceramic pro

Consumer grade coatings.
1) Gyeon gelcoat, Gyeon makes high end coatings and products and this would be my consumer available choice.
2) glidecoat marine
3) gtechniq marine base coat and top coat
4) jade marine pro.
5) R1 marine


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[larry_arizona]

Progress report....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/8a3a67956f11a5ce93a02c0069624ae8.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/1f73b6a7bc6a71a1463e86e146f6374b.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/ff1fdccbc9581706e0f46d0fb4b84fd3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/917ba1916377786468478359fefb8e48.jpg

Going to grab a gloss meter from work and see where we are at and see if I can go farther.

Factory gelcoat is appx an 85 gloss, I am guessing so far I am in low 90’s and goal is 95-96.


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[996scott]

Great work so far. Keep the pictures coming.

[2in2out]

Kent, you’re gonna need a welding hood and SPF 700 to protect from that shine on a sunny day. Nice work. I wish I had your dedication.

[larry_arizona]

Kent, you’re gonna need a welding hood and SPF 700 to protect from that shine on a sunny day. Nice work. I wish I had your dedication.

With the right pads and compounds, anyone can do this too. I have 2 hours into the port side so far. Well worth it.


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[cwfehr]

Progress report....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/8a3a67956f11a5ce93a02c0069624ae8.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/1f73b6a7bc6a71a1463e86e146f6374b.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/ff1fdccbc9581706e0f46d0fb4b84fd3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210312/917ba1916377786468478359fefb8e48.jpg

Going to grab a gloss meter from work and see where we are at and see if I can go farther.

Factory gelcoat is appx an 85 gloss, I am guessing so far I am in low 90’s and goal is 95-96.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThat looks incredible! Good job. We have a faor amount of lake scum thay sticks to the hull when the boat stays in the water for days/weeks. Does the ceramic coating make it easier to remove this? If nothing else it lools amazing!

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[larry_arizona]

I personally don’t use ceramic on the hull and it is not technically an anti foul prevention for marine organisms.

However, because I do coat the sides of the boat and some of that is below waterline, it does make cleaning much easier, like the scum line and after leaving it in water for 1 week (previous boat), it had some star looking growth that washed right off.


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[Holdmybeer]

Larry,
Kudos to you. That is a time consuming task. Looks awesome ����

I local guy I went to school with details for a living. He is getting my business on my Mojo. He is going to ceramic coat also. Hopefully it makes it easier to clean throughout the summer.

[larry_arizona]

Some updates.

Really liking the Gyeon marine step 2 compound.

I have fixed about a dozen scuff and scratches from the factory. Light wet sand with 2500 grit and Gyeon marine step 2 and the Rupes blue foam pad removes 2500 with no effort.

The Rupes coarse blue foam pad finishes really well on gelcoat, higher shine with coarse blue than the fine yellow pad.


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[brad460]

Where are you doing this work? At the dealer? His warehouse?

The finish is so clear I see other boats in the reflection..

[larry_arizona]

I started at the dealer, but I ended up bringing her home Saturday.

It’s in my barn.

Weather is nice this week here, so perfect for polishing.

Side note, 18’s and board racks off, fits in 96” door with a couple inches clearance.


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[haknslash]

Looks incredible!! So much depth and gloss! I really want to do this to my Max one day. I did auto detailing in a past life so working with the tools isn’t foreign to me. The amount of time to do this when the boat is over 1.5 hours away makes it a bit more difficult to work in but seeing all these ceramic coated boats and how it makes cleaning easier is very attractive to me, especially since I don’t have water to wash the boat down. Anything to make wipe downs and water spots less of a chore I’m down to try.

[SONIC]

Looking damn good so far! Lots of work but looks to be worth it so far.
You have a before and after on any spots on the side you've done?

[larry_arizona]

Looking damn good so far! Lots of work but looks to be worth it so far.
You have a before and after on any spots on the side you've done?

I polished the whole boat including interior gel and I am 7 hours in and to be honest there is a considerable amount of multi tasking around the barn during the spring.

Running a DA is so much easier than a rotary, just let the machine do the work.

My point is, yes it takes time, but it’s not hard work.

I still have a spot I didn’t polish to compare factory gloss to polished gloss using a high end gloss meter from work, I can’t get it for about 2 weeks as it’s out for calibration.

I will try to take some pictures of some gel flaws, there are a few “pits” here and there, I was detailing the trailer and looking under the hull and found a red fleck in the gel, must have been a red boat in the mold before mine.

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[shaggymatt]

Few questions if you don't mind?

I'll be taking delivery of my Max in 2-3 weeks and want to get a coating on it ASAP.

I've done several car paint corrections over the years with my Porter Cable. The Adams Swirl Killer looks to be a bit less labor intensive? You really had to push down on the head of the Porter Cable.

You only pictured what looks to be the 15mm in your pics, or was it the 21mm? I'm thinking of upgrading and getting into the Swirl Killer line if it is indeed less labor intensive. Were you happy with the 15/21, or did you feel the need for the mini in any areas?

I invested heavily in the Adams lineup when I was doing cars more regularly. Is there a reason you didn't go with the Adams Graphene? It seems to be a step above most of the ceramic coatings on the market, or they just market it better.

[larry_arizona]

My swirl killer was the first Gen Adam came out with, it’s a 15mm throw. There are a few tight areas were a mini would have been a bonus, but I have a 3” pad set up for my cordless drill for tight spots.

Definitely a step up from the Porter Cable.

You should never have to push hard with a DA.

If you use the correct pad and compound then only light pressure is needed, mark your pad with a black dot and use only enough pressure so that the black dot rotates every 3-5 seconds. I run the SK at 4000rpm, no need to go balls out, let the pad and compound so the labor, I make 4-5 passes alternating up/down left/right.

Graphene is fairly new, there isn’t a gelcoat specific formula that I am aware of.

Gelcoat is very different than paint, so I tried using gelcoat specific compounds and pad combos as well as ceramic.

I know it sounds strange, but the course foam pad works great on gelcoat for cutting and finishing.


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[jcarter20]

Man, that looks awesome! Not sure I could ever find the time or patience to do this on my own. How do you buff around the decals, seats, etc... is that all hand work? Also, I was told not to wax my boat for 90 days after factory gel coat completion. Do you have to wait the same time period with this procedure?


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[larry_arizona]

My Supra doesn’t have decals, but yes, would need to mask decals and vinyl.

My gelcoat is already past 90 days but I think one of the other premium boat brands offers ceramic from the factory.


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[DDNorCal]

I’ve read that this also works well on the interior: vinyl and floor. Easier clean up and no stains. Any thoughts?

[larry_arizona]

I won’t be using it on my chill tech. I also will not be using it on gatorstep, but absolutely on interior gelcoat.


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[larry_arizona]

Chill tech has a coating that works for heat dissipation, I have no data on how ceramic would effect it.

I used IGL marine ceramic on my seadek and it was pretty easy to clean, however, scraped gatorstep would take a significant amount of ceramic due to absorption, so will skip it using ceramic on this boat.


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[DDNorCal]

Makes sense. I've seen it described as being helpful on Gatorstep. I didn't think through the absorption. it would eat up a of ceramic and $.

[Holdmybeer]

Had to brag on my guy in Central Ohio for the detail job.

Not meaning to Hi-Jack but very impressed when 6yrs of gunk is polished out of the gel coat.
New numbers also but I posted about that in another thread.

29542
29543
29544

[larry_arizona]

Looks fantastic!!! Great work.


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[Isaguel]

I did the same and got great results with my Mojo. I'd suggest use Boat Bling hot sauce on the gel coat every 3 months and it'll seal it and maintain that showroom shine. Water stains wipe right off. If not it'll look all crusty again in a few months. One thing I've learned about the BMF is, it looks beautiful but it sure shows every water spot.

[Holdmybeer]

Thanks guys but again I cannot take credit for the actual work.. I can maintain but not to this level.

He actually used a ceramic based spray coating. Told me to use it after every wipe down. It's an OP product, if anyone has ever heard/used it.

As for the BMF, I love it and now I see more colors in the reflection but like all black paint, it sucks to keep clean.

[larry_arizona]

Got to it today.

Polishing done. I took gloss readings with a high end gloss meter I borrowed from work.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/fbcff54830e82efdfe90d3ea93341a30.jpg
Factory unpolished gelcoat ranges from 89-92 gloss. Actually better gloss than I thought.

After I polished it, range is 96-99.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/69cebaa4a3247fd672ddc10bfa90eb43.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/9c71a2ecd5d8ba2012d36720169a2a2f.jpg
And the moneyshot.........
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/698d54ccc03aac38224b85d074d786f8.jpg
Enjoy my messy barn in the reflection of the gelcoat lol.

2 coats of IGL marine, I will do interior gel coat next week.


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[Bob__S]

Wow that’s incredible


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[sandm]

looks good larry.....

[Zog]

Really amazing work! Larry, how many hours would you say you have put into that gloss? It was clearly a labor of love.

[larry_arizona]

10 hours polishing including surface prep and decontamination of polish oils so that ceramic can bond properly.

6 hours to apply 2 coats of IGL marine ceramic, I still have probably 4 more hours to finish top deck and interior gelcoat. Temps were around 60f, so time to flash was long today, slowed me down a bit.

I will also put a couple coats of ceramic on trailer and wheels.

Total will be appx. 24 hours. Yes that is significant labor, but you can understand now why detailers charge $2500-$3000.

I will get those 24 hours back over the next 3-4 years as upkeep is reduced compared to other waxes and sealants.


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[russellsmojo]

10 hours polishing including surface prep and decontamination of polish oils so that ceramic can bond properly.

6 hours to apply 2 coats of IGL marine ceramic, I still have probably 4 more hours to finish top deck and interior gelcoat. Temps were around 60f, so time to flash was long today, slowed me down a bit.

I will also put a couple coats of ceramic on trailer and wheels.

Total will be appx. 24 hours. Yes that is significant labor, but you can understand now why detailers charge $2500-$3000.

I will get those 24 hours back over the next 3-4 years as upkeep is reduced compared to other waxes and sealants.


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Nice job Larry! Not looks great. I think I would physically cry if I rubbed a dock or other boat after all that!!


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[TXSurf4]

That turned out amazing!!

[larry_arizona]

Nice job Larry! Not looks great. I think I would physically cry if I rubbed a dock or other boat after all that!!


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Most dock rash can be buffed out and spot repair ceramic.

My favorite part about ceramic is how you can dry it by flooding it with a hose without a nozzle.

Sheets dry, 95%, hit it with light mist of detail spray and one 16x16 towel and done


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[Guppydriver]

got to it today.

Polishing done. I took gloss readings with a high end gloss meter i borrowed from work.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/fbcff54830e82efdfe90d3ea93341a30.jpg
factory unpolished gelcoat ranges from 89-92 gloss. Actually better gloss than i thought.

After i polished it, range is 96-99.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/69cebaa4a3247fd672ddc10bfa90eb43.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/9c71a2ecd5d8ba2012d36720169a2a2f.jpg
and the moneyshot.........
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210411/698d54ccc03aac38224b85d074d786f8.jpg
enjoy my messy barn in the reflection of the gelcoat lol.

2 coats of igl marine, i will do interior gel coat next week.


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ri-dic-u-lous!!

[eder10986]

This is nuts. Do you think one can achieve similar results with say my boat, 2017? I’m sooooo tempted.


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[larry_arizona]

This is nuts. Do you think one can achieve similar results with say my boat, 2017? I’m sooooo tempted.


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Absolutely, why not, would probably take more polishing time.


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[russellsmojo]

Any experience or opinions on system X?


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[larry_arizona]

Any experience or opinions on system X?


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I hadn’t heard of system X, but they do have a gelcoat marine coating.

I am sure it’s great.


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[larry_arizona]

It’s finally done.

Two layers of IGL marine on

Gelcoat (interior and exterior)
Tower, board racks, speakers
Interior and exterior hardware.
Trailer (every beam, axles , 5 wheels)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210425/764c1fe21d0ac8e3552ec65723091635.jpg



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[larry_arizona]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210425/4b938a3db21d06af9c9051f38b296e33.jpg


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[j.mo]

Looks great!
What is the expected lifespan?


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[larry_arizona]

IGL Marne warranty IF installed by pro is 5 years.

I will be happy with 3 seasons


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[Isaguel]

That boat looks sick!

[haknslash]

Looks great!

[larry_arizona]

When I was a coating the trailer, I noticed one of the ballast intake grates was completely blocked with silicone sealant...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210426/1e2874c2407f2d45b760db2d8b8089ce.jpg

Took a pick and was able to break it up and pull it through the grate. The ballast pump would not have liked this obstruction.


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[mjb929rr]

I just wanted to say thanks for posting this thread. I had intended to put a couple coats of collinite wax on my new boat and call it good. Your thread provided enough info to get started, I’m completely done correcting the boat and half done with the ceramic coating. This is a perfect project when you receive a new boat in December.
I ended up going with the r1 marine and am applying two coats. I’ll be interested to see how the durability is. It seems like the wax would last half a summer on our old boat.
Thanks again

[larry_arizona]

Glad it worked for you. It’s just time really, anyone can do it.

Post pics when you are done!!


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