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Ceramic Coating

Stop Waxing Every Month. Real Protection That Actually Lasts.

Marine ceramic coating that chemically bonds to your gel coat, not a layer that washes away in weeks. 12-24 months of protection against UV, salt, and oxidation. One application. Done.

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Why Ceramic Coating Changes Everything

You bought your boat to use it. Instead, you're spending weekends waxing the hull, watching that wax fade in a matter of weeks, then waxing again. Salt, sun, and water strip traditional wax away faster than you can reapply it. It's an endless cycle that keeps you on the dock instead of on the water.

Ceramic coating breaks that cycle. When I apply it, the coating chemically bonds to your gel coat. It becomes part of your boat's skin, not just a layer sitting on top waiting to wash away.

I use Starke ceramic products with a stacked application: Repel Pro base coat soaks deep into the gel coat pores, then I seal everything with Thor or Kraken Graphene top coat. For boats used regularly, expect 12-24 months of protection with Thor, or 12-24 months with Kraken Graphene. How you store and maintain your boat affects longevity, and I'll give you honest expectations based on your specific usage.

The first time water hits your coated hull, you'll see the difference. Instead of spreading and sticking, it beads up and rolls off, taking dirt and salt with it. That's real protection you can see working.

What Ceramic Coating Actually Does

Real protection, not marketing claims

UV Protection

Blocks UV rays that cause gel coat to fade and chalk. Your boat stays looking newer, longer. No more watching that deep shine turn into a dull haze over a single season.

Hydrophobic Surface

Water beads up and rolls off instead of spreading. Salt, grime, and bird droppings don't bond to the surface. Cleaning becomes a quick rinse instead of a scrubbing session.

Oxidation Resistance

The sealed surface prevents oxygen and moisture from attacking the gel coat. No more watching chalky oxidation creep across your hull season after season.

Chemical Resistance

Stands up to fuel, fish blood, and harsh marina conditions. Spills wipe off instead of etching into your finish. Protection where it matters.

Reduced Maintenance

Stop the wax-wash-repeat cycle. With ceramic, regular washes keep it looking great. I recommend a ceramic maintenance spray after each wash to extend the coating's life.

Enhanced Gloss

Ceramic adds depth and clarity to your gel coat. It's not just protection. Your boat will look better than it did before, with that wet, just-detailed shine that lasts.

How I Apply Ceramic Coating

1

Inspection & Assessment

I start by examining your gel coat under proper lighting. Looking for oxidation, scratches, water spots, and any damage that needs addressing. This determines what prep work is required before coating.

2

Decontamination

Full wash to remove surface contaminants. Chemical decontamination to pull out embedded particles. Clay bar treatment if needed. The surface has to be perfectly clean for the coating to bond properly.

3

Full Correction

A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, so the gel coat gets corrected first. Level-R heavy compound cuts the oxidation off, then Elevate refines the surface to a swirl-free finish. Gel coat that's past chalky needs wet sanding before any compound will touch it, and that's a custom job I quote in person. Once the surface is right, an IPA wipe and Triple P prep polish get it ready to bond. Glass polished, metals polished, outboard cowlings corrected.

4

Ceramic Prep

IPA wipedown removes polishing oils and residue. Then Triple P prep polish bonds resin silicas into the gel coat to improve ceramic adhesion. Any contamination between the gel coat and coating will compromise the bond.

5

Ceramic Stack Application

Repel Pro base coat applied first - it soaks deep into the gelcoat pores. Then your choice of top coat: Thor or Kraken Graphene. Each section is leveled before moving on. Temperature and humidity matter here. I don't rush this step.

6

Cure Time

The coating needs time to cure before water exposure. I'll give you specific instructions on when it's safe to get wet and how to maintain it going forward.

What Ceramic Costs

Ceramic goes on after the correction, never instead of it. A coating locks in whatever is underneath, so the surface has to be right before it gets sealed. Everything here is priced by the foot.

Priced by the Foot

Ceramic Coating

Two layers, 12 to 24 months

It's always two coats. Gel coat is porous, unlike automotive paint, so the first layer gets partly absorbed. Repel Pro goes down as the base and soaks into the pores, then Thor or Kraken seals on top. That's the system that gets you 12 to 24 months instead of a few months.

Thor and Kraken cost the same. Kraken's graphene is the more expensive material and it spots less at the dock, but that's my cost, not a bump on your bill. Pick the finish you want, not the price.

If the boat also needs correction, correction and ceramic done together as one project runs $175 to $250 a foot, depending on how much correction the gel coat takes and how many surfaces you want coated.

Ceramic added to a correction

$60 to $70 a foot

12 to 24 months

  • Goes on once the correction is done
  • Repel Pro base, Thor or Kraken on top
  • Sun and spray surfaces, or the whole boat
  • Same price either coating

Standalone re-coat

$75 a foot

12 to 24 months

  • For a finish that's already right
  • Decontamination and prep, then two coats
  • Coming off an old coating, or a boat kept up
  • I'll tell you if it needs correction first

What Moves the Number

  • Length, because everything here is priced per foot
  • Condition of the gel coat, which decides how much correction has to happen before the coating goes on
  • Gel coat color, since dark hulls hide nothing and usually want the extra finishing pass
  • How many surfaces you want coated, from the sun and spray surfaces up to the whole boat
  • Gel coat that's past chalky and needs wet sanding, which is a custom job I price in person

Every number here is a range, not a package price. Answer two quick questions in the instant pricing tool for a ballpark, and I'll give you a firm number after I see the boat. What I quote is what you pay.

Ceramic vs. Traditional Protection

Traditional Wax Sealant Ceramic Coating
Durability 2-4 weeks 3-6 months 12-24 months
UV Protection Minimal Moderate Superior
Hydrophobic Effect Weak Moderate Extreme
Scratch Resistance None Minimal 9H hardness
Maintenance Required Frequent reapplication Regular reapplication Periodic wash + spray

Common Questions

How long does boat ceramic coating last?

12 to 24 months, applied as two layers. That's a marine number. Ignore the 5-year claims you see from automotive shops, because a boat living in salt and sun breaks a coating down faster than a car in a garage. Rinsing after every outing and washing on a regular cadence is what gets you toward the top of that range.

How much does ceramic coating cost?

It's priced by the foot. Ceramic added on top of a correction runs $60 to $70 a foot. A standalone re-coat on a boat that's already in good shape runs $75 a foot. Correction and ceramic together as one project lands between $175 and $250 a foot, depending on how much correction the gel coat needs and how many surfaces get coated. For a ballpark right now, answer two questions in the instant pricing tool. The firm number comes after I see the boat.

Is ceramic coating worth it for boats?

For most boat owners, yes. Ceramic coating dramatically reduces maintenance time and effort. Water, salt, and grime slide off instead of bonding to the gel coat. You spend less time cleaning and more time on the water. It also protects against UV damage and oxidation, which can save thousands in restoration costs down the road.

What's the difference between Thor and Kraken?

Thor is an SiO2/TiO2 ceramic. Kraken is a graphene coating that spots less, which matters on a boat that sits at the dock all summer. Both hold 12 to 24 months as part of a two-layer system, and I price them the same. Kraken costs me more to buy, but I don't pass that on as a higher rate, so pick the finish you want rather than the cheaper line item.

Does the boat need to be corrected before ceramic coating?

Yes, always. Ceramic coating locks in whatever is underneath. Every boat gets full correction: Level R heavy compound removes oxidation, then Elevate medium polish refines the surface. IPA wipe cleans off polishing oils, then Triple P prep polish bonds resin silicas into the gel coat for maximum ceramic adhesion.

How long does the application take?

For a 25-30 foot boat, expect 4-5 days. Full correction takes time, and I don't rush ceramic application because proper technique and curing time matter for longevity.

Where I Apply Ceramic Coating

I'm based in Ocean City, Maryland and travel the Delmarva coast for ceramic work. The application happens at your slip or your driveway. No transport, no haul-out fees.

Ocean City, MD Berlin, MD Salisbury, MD St. Michaels, MD Lewes, DE Rehoboth Beach, DE Bethany Beach, DE Fenwick Island, DE

Marinas I work at include Pot Nets in Long Neck, slips around Kent Narrows, and the dry storage yards from West Ocean City up through Lewes. If you're not sure I cover your spot, just ask. Anything inside an hour of Ocean City is straightforward.

Learn More About Ceramic Coating

Ceramic Coating for Boats: What You Need to Know

How ceramic coating protects your gel coat and makes maintenance easier.

Read Article

Boat Wax vs Sealant vs Ceramic: Which Is Right for You?

Compare protection options and find the right fit for your boat and budget.

Read Article

Instant Estimate

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Tell me your boat size and what it needs. I'll give you a number on the spot.

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Dock-Ready Guarantee

When I'm done, if anything isn't right, I come back and fix it. No charge, no argument. The job isn't done until you're happy with every surface.

Ceramic jobs include a coating warranty. If the coating fails under normal maintenance within the warranty period, I re-apply it.

Ready to Protect Your Investment?

Tell me about your boat and I'll give you an honest assessment of what it needs. No pressure, no upselling. Just straight talk about what makes sense for your situation.

Currently booking 2-3 weeks out. Peak season fills fast. Secure your spot now.

Get Your Free Assessment (302) 853-2853 jacob@catalystmarineservices.com

Starke Certified Installer | Mobile Service | Ocean City, MD & Eastern Shore

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