Our Introduction to Ceramic Coating

Kismet Gets a Shining With A Ceramic Coating

If you own a boat, you understand there is a great deal of time, effort, and ongoing expense associated with keeping a boat’s finish like new. Even when washed and waxed regularly, gel coat finishes need constant attention, with detailing needing to be done at least once a year. After a few years, oxidation will creep in. The need for compounding the finish comes into play, requiring more time, effort, and expense. A good-looking boat takes effort!

With the above statement in mind, I wanted to look into the pros and cons of ceramic coating and how it might benefit, or affect, our new Ranger Tugs R25OB over the long term. As in our prior two Ranger Tugs, this one also has a bright red hull. Dark colors are notorious for becoming oxidized after several years and therefore require more and more attention. During my research on ceramic coatings, I found out that a boat will have protection against salt, hard water spotting, bird droppings, and those nasty UV rays when properly prepared and coated. This will make the gel coat have a deeper gloss and mirror-like finish.

This new technology comes at a cost.
I found out it is more expensive to prepare and install than traditional wax detailing. In the end, I thought it was worth the price. We wouldn’t have to detail our new boat once a year. Once the ceramic coating is applied properly, the boat should maintain its shiny glow as long as I wash the boat regularly and maintain the finish by applying a Hydroserum spray every 6 to 12 months.

I wanted to have our new boat coated before we took delivery, so my research led me to Premier Ceramic Coating, outside of Seattle, owned by Kevin and Carol, fellow Ranger Tug owners. I found out this company has quite a reputation for being thorough. That was clear in my discussion with him prior to, during, and after he completed the job. Kevin explained, “How the hull is prepared is the key determining factor for the best-finished product.” In our case, because our boat was new, there wasn’t any oxidation to be addressed. All of the boat’s graphics were installed ahead of the ceramic coating.

Kevin explained, “Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied by hand to the exterior of a boat. It chemically bonds with the boat’s gel coat and, when cured, it transforms into a rigid, super slick shield. Ceramic coating is easiest to understand if you think of it as a second layer of skin that is transparent.”

Kevin also stated, “Surface prep and cleaning is critical to how long the ceramic will last. So, we have developed a process that we believe is unmatched in the industry for prepping the boat for coating.”

The process after the surface prep and cleaning:

• Clean & decontaminate the entire exterior of the boat.
• Buff & polish all exterior surfaces before coating.
• Apply the first coat of ceramic, then hand polish off the solvent flash with a microfiber towel, then wipe a second time with a fresh towel.
• A second coat is applied and finished the same way, a few hours later.

Kevin’s philosophy is, “We believe in ‘detail!’ Every surface on the exterior above the waterline is coated. The gel coat, windows, stainless, and even the radar dome are coated. Keep in mind that glass and stainless steel are not porous enough to hold any material for very long. So it will need regular upkeep with the Hydroserum.

Our boat took approximately 48 hours.

To find out more visit: premierceramiccoating.com

Or call Kevin direct:  360-471-5882