The majority of today’s misconceptions of ceramic coatings stem from how recently they have come on the market. Standard waxes have been available to the public since the 1940’s; thus, it’s ingrained in the minds of boat owners as the solution to protecting paint finishes. The lack of education on new cutting edge technology has thwarted the effort of converting from traditional methods and seeded the growth of a series of misunderstandings on how effective a ceramic coating truly is. We are going to explore these misconceptions while becoming educated on the benefits of ceramic coatings.

Maintenance

One of the most common misconceptions of a ceramic coating versus a wax is its long term durability. We all know wax has a good reputation because of its prolonged history in the marine industry. As technology evolves, crew members maintaining the exterior do not always educate themselves on the most current product trends. Little do captains and crew know that upgrading from marine wax will have a considerable impact on many factors.

When making the change from standard wax, it is essential to understand the nanotechnologies of ceramic coatings that make it far superior. The hydrophobic and oleophobic properties of a high-quality ceramic coating like GLIDECOAT, allows the applied surface to naturally repel water and exhaust to reduce the efforts of continuous scrubbing. The repellant nature is achieved by the coating curing on the surface, thus creating a hard, long-lasting chemical bond. Unlike ceramics, waxes are soft and malleable. Because of its softness, wax is etched easily by contaminants and washes away when applying soap. As a result, the life span is far short than that of ceramic coatings. When comparing the two under proper maintenance routines, wax will last an average of 3 months while ceramic coatings extend beyond a year. The ability of ceramic coatings to bond with the surface will significantly reduce the time invested in annual maintenance.

Cost

The resilience of a ceramic coating to withstand the elements and washings would lead us all to the general conclusion that replication is far more infrequent than with its counterpart wax, and this is precisely the truth. Standard marine waxes must be applied at a minimum of four times per year. Whether you’re hiring a detailer or relying on your crew, time and product come at a cost. When put up against a high-grade ceramic coating like GLIDECOAT, which can last up to 18 months when properly applied, the annual savings of a single application are self-evident. Factor in other costs such as time spent cleaning hulls, exhaust areas, flats that are subject to mold, and buffing avoidable scratches. We all know the saying, time is money. Reduce your crew’s maintenance workload and keep them busy with tasks that are often neglected. The NLS Yacht Solutions team offers both products for self-application or a complete ceramic application by our certified professionals.

Out of Service Periods

For many, boats generate income. Fisherman, yacht charters, and tour services must keep their vessels out of services as infrequently as possible. While hauling a boat certainly makes the job of applying ceramics easier, it is not a necessity. Boats can be detailed from top to water line at a marina, in a backyard, or a shipyard. The convenience of online appointments and NLS team’s ability to travel to you allows NLS Yacht Solutions to detail the vessel in short windows and get you and your crew back in service. 

Now that we have addressed the three most critical misconceptions of ceramic coatings, why wait any longer to give NLS Yacht Solutions a call. Our team will educate you on the application process, the best GLIDECOAT products available to achieve a pristine finish, and develop a long term schedule to maintain the applied surface. Call NLS Yacht Solutions at 772-675-1061 or book us online. Make your vessel the show piece of the marina.

We look forward to serving you.