Gelcoat protection options for your boat

Introduction

Hi and welcome to Shuswap Concierge a multi service company that provides auto and marine detailing as well as snow removal and house watch for the Shuswap area.  Today we are going to discuss gelcoat protection options for your boat.

Things To Consider

Protecting gelcoat on your boat is important.  It is great that you would want to protect it and consider your options that work for you.  Gelcoat is essentially a single stage paint like single stage automotive paint.  However the difference is how it is sprayed and the thickness of application.

Gelcoat paint is much thicker than automotive paint which enables it to take more punishment which boats most often do.  Since gelcoat is single stage paint the gloss and pigment is all mixed into one compound and layed down as one chemical composition.  It is more susceptible to oxidation and degradation than modern car paint that has the pigment and clearcoat separate. The result is that gelcoat is more high maintenance and in need of more regular cleaning, correction and protection.  Constant protection being applied is necessary to maintain its appearance and prolong correction.

Protection options

So now that you are aware of the need and reasoning why you should protect your gelcoat we will move on to the next step.  What do I put on it and how often?  There are a variety of marine waxes and topping compounds that you can use to protect your paint.  You basically have 3 options in depending on how high a level of protection you want.  There are waxes, sealants and then ceramics.

Boat Wax options

Wax is the most common and easiest option for consumers and professionals to access and apply.  Marine waxes are specially designed for use on boats for the service types and exposure to the elements.  Marine wax like auto wax is a natural compound from leaves of trees and creates high gloss and a slick surface.  Waxes typically last up to 4 weeks depending on exposure and how intense the exposure of environmental elements is.  The upside is that wax is easy to apply, however it lasts the least amount of time out of the protection options which is reflected in the price of the products.  There are variations in each wax you buy as some have more variations of compounds within it.  Some are 100% carnauba wax and some have varying levels of other chemical compounds added in for better shine or lasting ability.  You can also choose between a paste or a liquid of the same product as well which mostly comes down to personal preference of how you like to apply the product.

Boat Sealant options

The next option is a less known option that is a higher level of gelcoat protection called sealant.  These protection compounds are more synthetic chemical base that can last several months and in some cases up to 6 months of protection.  There are alot of detailing product companies that sell sealants so they all have varying degrees longevity and level of gloss offered.  Sealants are also quite easy to apply and buff off like marine waxes, but it does depend on the brand and type of sealant you choose.  Sealants are essentially a more heavy duty paint protection one level up from marine and automotive waxes.  The price for these are relatively comparable to waxes but will generally be more than wax as they are a better product.

Ceramic options

Ceramic coatings are the ultimate in gelcoat protection and gloss you can apply.  These products are highly specialized, a niche market, much more expensive and much harder to apply properly.  Most importantly we emphasize “apply properly” because they can be applied improperly very easily.  It is crucial to have good training and knowledge from an official source.  There is a window of time that the product has to be applied and buffed off.  Ceramics are basically like another clear coat you are applying by hand.  Clearcoat on your car is a mix of chemicals that start curing once mixed and applied. So if there are mistakes in the application, the correction has to happen very fast and in the right way.  Once the product cures, it is very hard and not removable without polishing or sanding off.

On the upside, although the ceramic products are expensive and hard to apply, the results are remarkable.  No wax or sealant even compares to how much gloss and protection you get from Ceramic coatings.  Since the ceramic is so hard and cured chemically it lasts anywhere from 1 year to many many years.  Some product lines and levels of service offer a life time warranty if you have multi layered ceramic applications.  Other upsides are that it makes maintenance much easier as dirt and environmental contaminants are easily washed off and cannot penetrate the surface like they still can through wax and sealants.

Conclusion

Wax and sealants are temporary protection products that last at best up to 6 months.  Ceramics are permanent coatings that last anywhere from 1 year to life time of boat or vehicle.  The prices also reflect the level of product you are buying.  Depending on how serious you are about protection level and your comfort level of spending.  All options offer protection and there are good products in all levels of these product lines.  The real important thing is that gelcoat protection is important to do and keep up with the maintenance.

How We Can Help You Now

Thank you for reading our article on this topic and invite you to read more if you enjoyed this.  If you are interested in booking us for a detail service please contact us here and we would love the opportunity to help you out.

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