Boat polishing and ceramic coating

• What causes boat surfaces to fade?
• Boat polishing
• Time required for boat polishing and coating
• I am buying a new boat, how do I protect it?
• What can be coated on a boat?
• Benefits of protecting a boat
• How long does the coating last on a boat?
• Does the coating need to be redone?
• How should a boat be washed?
• What else besides ceramic coating?
• Changing a dull interior with wraps
• How much do these services cost?

Machine Polishing and Ceramic Coating

Machine polishing and ceramic coating do not focus solely on cars. With the right tools and materials, many different surfaces can be restored. One of these is boats and other watercraft.

What causes boat surfaces to fade?

Boat surfaces typically fade due to the sun’s UV radiation. Boat surfaces are sensitive to various stresses, such as barnacles, salt, UV radiation, air pollutants, and constant heavy use. Barnacles themselves cause a decrease in the boat’s maximum speed by increasing water resistance. Removing barnacles is also a very demanding process and usually requires strong acids to effectively remove them. Scratching or scraping can damage the boat’s bottom unknowingly. Salt is one of the biggest hazards to your boat. When salt dries, it begins to cause corrosion. Corrosion ruins surfaces and causes rusting in metal parts. Salt should always be washed off from every part it comes into contact with. By coating your boat, you prevent corrosion from occurring.

Boat Polishing

A boat that has been exposed to UV radiation for a long time has faded and worn out. No abrasive wax or similar will save the situation. The boat always requires machine polishing. However, boat polishing requires different tools than car polishing. Rotary machines are usually more effective in boat polishing. The compounds used should be as abrasive and cleaning as possible. Solvent-based polishing compounds work best as cleaners. There are specific polishing pastes for boats, but products intended for cars also work. Boat polishing is recommended to be done whenever the boat is lifted out of the water. When the boat is lifted and the bottom is washed, ask the dockworkers to place the boat on the lowest cradles possible. This makes polishing easier. The boat can also be polished in the water, but this is significantly more expensive and challenging. Whether the boat is in the water or lifted does not matter for interior polishing. Boat polishing should ideally be done only in summer or in a warm hall.

Time Required for Boat Polishing and Coating

Boat polishing is a very laborious task. The size of the boat naturally affects the amount of work and time required. We always inspect the boat before promising a work time. We discuss with the customer about each part of the boat separately and estimate the duration of the work. For example, for polishing the exterior of a normal 5-6 meter boat, an average of 3-4 days is reserved, and for interiors, 2-3 days. Yachts and other longer boats are always evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Coating is much faster than polishing. A 5-6 meter boat can be coated in one day. A “paint” spray gun can be used for coating a boat if it is feasible to use in terms of space.

I am buying a new boat, how do I protect it?

It is advisable to always protect a boat/jet ski when new. The cost of polishing a boat is usually very high because the shapes of boats are usually very demanding. We always recommend our customers to arrange with the dealer from whom the boat is purchased to have the boat coated in their facilities before delivery. This way, you’ll have completely stress-free boating.

What can be coated on a boat?

Modern coatings enable broader applications. Almost any surface can be coated with a ceramic coating. This is crucial for boats where there are various surfaces both on the outside and inside of the boat. On the inside of the boat, floors, chrome parts, displays, glass, storage boxes, outboard motor cowling, textile parts, WC areas, seats, and engine compartments can be coated.

What are the benefits of protecting a boat?

Typically, boat owners do not take proper care of their boats. Surfaces are not washed correctly and thoroughly. This allows dirt to accumulate and surfaces to oxidize. Regular and proper cleaning is crucial when it comes to boats. Ceramic coating makes surfaces hydrophobic. This means that, concerning dirt, even if it sticks to the surface, it is easier and more efficient to remove. Due to the ceramic coating, the boat’s outer surface becomes smooth and highly repellent, making cleaning easy. On the inside, all textiles, displays, glass, chrome parts, floors, WC areas, outboard motor cowlings, and storage boxes can be coated. These parts are usually subject to the most wear and tear on the inside, and coating them makes cleaning easier.

How long does the coating last on a boat?

There are many coatings available worldwide. Some coatings are specialized only for boats or, for example, airplanes. In terms of durability, high-quality coatings used in the automotive industry are good enough for boats. However, there is one thing to remember with coatings, which is the drying time before wiping it off. If the drying time of the coating is very fast (5-30 seconds), this coating should not be used on boats.

The Zvizzer graphene coating we use is perfect for boats. The drying time of the coating before wiping is approximately 3-6 minutes, making coating safe and faster.

Several factors affect the durability of the coating. One of these is the quality of the product. Low-quality coatings do not last in cars for more than a year, so these coatings are unlikely to last even one summer in boats. Sea ​​water, for example, is a significant stress on boats. High-quality coatings usually last 2-3 years.

Durability is also influenced by the wear the boat receives. If the boat is, for example, used for fishing and the boat’s surfaces are subjected to a lot of use and stress, the coating will wear out much faster. For example, if the boat drives through grass and other vegetation, the vegetation brings stress to the boat’s exterior.

The third factor affecting the durability of the coating is maintenance. If the boat is regularly washed, and the interior is treated with appropriate chemicals, the lifespan of the coating will be extended. The boat’s bottom should always be washed whenever the boat is lifted from the water. If dirt is allowed to dry on top of the coating, cleaning it will be difficult and will likely damage the coating. So, regular cleaning and washing extend the lifespan of the coating.

Does the coating need to be redone sometimes?

Both coatings and protective films, nothing is eternal. Renewing the coating is important for the boat’s condition. Renewing the coating should be anticipated. For example, if your boat’s coating is guaranteed for 3 years, consider recoating the bottom of the boat after 2 years. When your boat is washed, ask the washer’s opinion on water repellency. If water repellency is nonexistent or completely gone from some areas, schedule a recoating appointment. By anticipating early enough, you avoid the extra polishing costs that arise when there is no protection on the surface. The coating is the only protection against UV radiation, and without it, the boat’s surfaces easily start to gray.

How should a boat be washed?

When a boat is coated and protected, it still requires regular washing and maintenance. The bottom of the boat should be washed twice a year, with each launch/lift. Whenever the boat is out of the water is a good time to wash the bottom. It is advisable to use professionals for boat washing. They have the right products and tools for washing. If you want to save money and wash it yourself, here are some guidelines for washing:

There are specific boat cleaners available, but we recommend using car wash products. They are much more advanced than boat cleaners. A strong and good pre-wash detergent with a solvent is important when starting the wash. Using a foam cannon helps the detergent to act more effectively on the boat’s surface. Once you’ve washed off the pre-wash detergent, reapply it and use either a soft mitt or sponge to go over the entire bottom of the boat. If the boat is tall or you don’t have lifts, you can also use a soft pole brush. After carefully going over the surfaces, rinse them and check if any dirt remains. If dirt remains, try brushing the dirty areas again with a slightly stronger solution. You can repeat the brushing several times. If dirt still remains, scrub the surfaces with a clay mitt or clay pad. This effectively removes stubborn dirt. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of the surfaces, protect the surface with at least a spray-on quick coating. This provides light protection to the surface, and dirt does not stick back as easily. For barnacles, oxalic acid can be used, but we do not recommend using acid on other areas. Acid damages surfaces and is hazardous when vaporized.

The interior can be washed the same way as the exterior. Apply pre-wash detergent with foam everywhere and rinse with a pressure washer. Rinse off the detergent and reapply it. Brush or use a mitt and go over all areas carefully. Rinse the surfaces with a pressure washer and dry with a chamois or drying towel. Finish the surfaces with a quick coating and dry. Textile parts can be washed with a steam cleaner or wet vacuum cleaner. They should not be washed with a pressure washer as it may damage the fabric.

What else besides ceramic coating?

If you want to maximize the protection of your boat and are considering what else could be done besides coating, a transparent paint protection film (PPF) works as an excellent additional protection for your boat. With PPF, parts that are under constant wear and tear can be protected. For example, dashboards, thresholds of bathrooms and other rooms. The engine cowling is one area that is easily scratched and worn out, with PPF, we can completely prevent this.

If you value privacy on your boat, consider window tinting/sun protection. These materials are developed for your privacy. With sun protection films, you can make your windows mirrored, and no one can see inside your boat. The films have excellent UV radiation protection, so they can also be considered for health reasons.

Transforming a Dull Interior with Wrapping

Are you tired of how the dashboard frame looks? Or perhaps how the bedroom cabinet doors look?

By wrapping, you can solve all the visual problems on your boat. Nowadays, there are hundreds if not thousands of colors of vinyl wraps available. Vinyl wraps can be applied to any material with a smooth surface. When your boat is in winter storage, removing the parts and bringing them to a wrapper will save you considerably in costs, but Restyling Point is always ready to travel to the location. If you’re wondering about wrapping something, take a picture of it along with measurements and send it to us. We’ll provide the most accurate estimate for wrapping the part. You can also visit us to see the colors of wraps in person. At the same time, enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and discuss with a professional about the project implementation.

What do these services cost?

Exact prices cannot be provided for anything. Prices vary depending on the condition and size of the object. Coating a new 3-6 meter boat usually ranges from €1299 to €1599, while coating prices for boats over 10 meters may go up to €2999 to €3499. PPF coatings, window tinting, or interior wrapping are always assessed on a project-by-project basis. We recommend contacting us via email and attaching as many illustrative pictures as possible so that we can provide the most accurate estimate of the price.

Restyling Point Oy has been specializing in boat refurbishments for a long time with extensive expertise. We have refurbished small boats as well as large yachts. If necessary, we make purchases for processes to ensure the end result is as flawless as possible. Now that boats are in winter storage, it’s an excellent opportunity to get your boat in top condition before summer. Remember also to protect your boat when it’s new.