Pros & Cons of Conventional Wax vs Ceramic for Boats
 

What are your thoughts?

I have never tried ceramic on any of our boats, so I can't give a true answer on it. I do hand wax ours often and I have never had any issue with cleaning it off after loading on the trailer. Just a little detail spray and every thing wipes off clean, also I have never had an issue with water spotting.

I think if considering a ceramic job you should consider the cost benefit. A ceramic job absolutely makes sense if your using the boat a lot or if it's on a lift because your going to probably be out same money net net over time, but the ceramic will save you time and look better.

My BIL had his boat ceramic coated. He swears by it, saying all he has to do is give it a light wipe down even after being in the water for a few weeks. However, for me, it's too costly. My alternative is Jescar Power Plus w/ceramic. It's a polymer/ceramic sealant that goes on/off easier than regular wax. I'm really impressed at how it protects my black gelcoat from fading. It also does a great job of keeping the top side clean from dirt build up. We both keep our boats in fresh water for weeks at a time.

MonkeySea,

I was quoted $3500 to do my 28 footer. Yup. Nope. Not gonna happen.

I've considered doing it myself, but when I looked into what all goes into it, the buffing, the claybar... Part of me understands the cost, and I don't really feel like putting the time into it.

I used the Chemical Guys HydroSlick wax/ceramic hybrid. I was really impressed with it, as far as both initial turnout and durable longevity. I'm at least two seasons in, and it still looks really good.

Thanks. Brad.

Have considered it many times but not convinced. We need someone do a patch with and without after the same prep over a period of time.

I ceramic coat mine myself with a product from a member here - psdetails

it is far superior to any wax I have ever found. Almost completely eliminates black streaking (my boat sits on lift from May-Sept)

Used the same product on my C8. The water literally beads off even after two years of ownership - I wash the car and just hit it with a leaf blower and the water flies off the car.

just clean the boat well wash on/wash off. It’s so easy.


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What is the product name?

I just did my boat with the Hydroslick last month, been using it on my vehicles for a couple years. Curious to see how it does. Put it on my jetski a year before I sold it and it was holding up good.

https://psdetailproducts.com

Perhaps I should give it a go, just seems like a lot of money if it doesn't work out, anyone tried it on an older boat?

I love ceramic on my cars and my boat. The meguiars all ceramic lasts longer than the spray hybrid one. But the spray applies much faster.

all in all I’d like to find a better quality wax than I have but the ceramic keeps it clean and shiny much better than everything else. I wash and wax like normal. I clay, compound, polish, wax and then ceramic on top with 2-3 coats for finish protection on my cars.

on the boat I do a compound, polish and ceramic wax or just a wash and hybrid ceramic spray and wipe for maintenance.
a power buffer will transform your world I promise.

When applied what does the ceramic coating adhere to ? Does it form a compound with the polish, wax or somehow bond to the paint or gelcoat ?

The guy I take the big boat to every year is coming around to ceramics I think. Been using wizards “sealant” and it’s been good. Doesn’t hurt that the spray stuff smells like bubble gum cause the kids and wife are more prone to use it then.

My Allison was ceramic coated before I bought it. Doesn’t get that dusty, but if my son brings the lawn mower in hot, doesn't clean it first, I see sh!t all
over it. Then just take a hose to it, barely have to use a towel.

think we could use some pics
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So I’m the guy with P&S Detail Products on this site. Our exact site is thepolishingschool.com

the ceramic coatings make ease of clean up so much easier. It’s a pay me now or pay me later game. Coatings are inorganic and don’t ware off like an organic wax would. Coatings are very resilient to harsh chemicals.

for example- wax your boat and use dawn dish soap to wash and you have waisted it away the wax that is.

ceramic coat your boat and use the dawn dish soap and you are still A ok with not really any harm done. Still don’t recommend that soap. Lol

ceramic coatings are really the way to go. Bite the bullet and do it once, have a much easier time for the next 3 years or so.

Ceramic coating maintenance is a real thing tho.

PrecisionDetails,

Care to elaborate...?

Thanks. Brad.

What products do you recommend? What kind of surface prep is needed?

I liked ceramic on the sides and wax or other sealers on the top deck.I didnt like how slippery it was and water spots.
SOOOOO much easier to clean the sides with ceramic VS wax.
I didnt do much prep, wipe with alcohol and apply ceramic, wipe off.
Do second coat.
on my vehicles I feel like they get swirl marks much easier with Ceramic. after a year on my truck I have a lot of swirl marks, same with the vette and it`s harder to buff out.
The ultimate protection is PPF film. I love that stuff. Self healing and never scratches.
Those prices have doubled under Comrad Biden unfortunately and it cost more then if I were to just pay to have the paint repainted or fixed. (on vehicles)

Dan,

So, you didn't buff or clay bar?

Thanks. Brad.

What products do you recommend for washing boats, and what products do you recommend for washing dishes?

They need to decontaminated and be topped with SIO2 spray products, every so many months.

This will keep the coating better, stronger and longer.

I’m not sure if I should take the dish soap part seriously or not.

but for boats most soaps designed to be auto wash soaps are normally good. Some soaps are neutral PH and others may be on the high or low side of the PH chart.

Did my 39 nortech in full XPEL Marine Protection Film with XPEL ceramic coating on top of the film. Also had pretty much every surface on this interior ceramic coated including the upholstery, best of both worlds. Makes those end of weekend cleanups so much easier and the ceramic on the seats helps with the various suntan lotion stains, had a lovely lady drop some red wine on my white upholstery, noticed it the next morning and it wiped right off with water and a rag. Quad 450r boat running in the 90's. marine protection film to the chine and zero issues, I LOVE IT.

company that did it is in New Jersey, their IG is marine.protection.solutions with some cool videos

Note - ceramics are awesome, just make sure you are using the right one. A lot of people are using automotive ones which aren't formulated to last in marine environments and also do not adhere to gelcoat very well/at all so they dont last. If you have a painted boat it will last a little longer, but still not fully formulated for marine. My installer, Marine Protection Solutions, used XPEL Marine Ceramic which is good for paint and gel. Very happy with the results

Nope.

Thanks! Car wash detergents are easy to come by. I have picked up some fancy boat cleaning products at poker runs, but the au pairs usually take them for cleaning the house.

As for washing dishes, I buy the private label products at Lidl.