Complete Application Instructions for Glidecoat ALPHA Graphene Infused Ceramic Coating

Video Transcript

Christian:
Christian here with Glidecoat. Today, we're going to be applying the ALPHA Graphene Ceramic Coating. So, when we're applying the ceramic coating, we're going to be doing it in 3’ by 3’ sections and when I'm working on the hull or a larger space, I like to use just a painter's tape on the rub rail to give me a good indication of where my section is. So each new section, I'm going to put a piece of tape just so that I visually know this is where I'm applying the coating.

Before we're ready to apply it I want to make sure to shake the bottle up really well, just to make sure that everything's mixed thoroughly and open the bottle up. Then what we're going to do, as you can see, the opening of the bottle is a little bit large, so you can pour it directly on. One of the things I like to do is just put the sponge on top and give it a few tips here.

Now, the first section, this is the first section I'm doing, I'm going to put a little bit extra. I'm almost priming that pad a little bit. So I put three, three little turns of dots on there, and then I'm going to apply the coating in an up and down side to side patterns, make sure that this section is fully covered.

I am applying a little bit of pressure on the sponge just so that it's flat on the surface.

I'm going to have two fresh, clean microfibers. I like to fold them into into quarters here. As you can see, the coating you may not be able to see, but the coating on the surface goes on as a uniform layer, kind of the thickness of an olive oil. And then as it absorbs into the surface, it's going to start to look like it's sweating or thinning out a little bit. And that's kind of visually what I'm looking for is the ceramic material absorbing into the surface. And then that's the solvents just kind of kicking off and giving me the indication of its about ready to to buff it in.

So we're working indoors, I have, you know, a minute plus to let the coating sit on the surface if I'm outdoors and in the sun and I want to apply the product and buff it within 30 seconds to a minute because the longer it sits on the surface, the stickier the tackier it's going to be and it's going to be a little bit tougher to get that smooth, consistent finish.

So now that I'm ready to buff, apply a little bit of pressure, feel like I'm almost working the product into the surface, and I'm going to keep it very confined to my section. So controlled wipes applying some pressure and then I'm going to flip the microfiber over and at this point, I can kind of go in circular motions. Go a little bit larger than my section to make sure that I'm getting any of the edges or any excess off to the sides here. And then one final clean microfiber and this is just to make sure that I'm getting all of the excess residue and making sure I've got any high spots or anything like that leveled out. And it looks nice and consistent.

You know, when I'm doing my first wipe, I said I'm going to keep it confined to my section. I don't want to do big, large wipes back and forth because what you're going to do is end up pushing coating now and pushing coating this way and you have a chance of just leaving little high spots or extra material on the surface. So you don't want to do that. Keep it confined, apply a little bit of pressure, flip the microfiber, come back, and then you can make sure to get the edges and make sure it's nice and uniform.

As I go and I move sections, I'm going to overlap each section to make sure that it's uniform and I'm not missing any spots. You're not going to notice any rigging or anything like that. It's going to blend nicely, be consistent and level, and we're going to go ahead and apply our first coat on the entire boat here.

Alright, so we've already gone and applied the first coat to the entire hull of the boat. When we're working on a boat, especially with gel coat or marine paint, we're always going to put two coats of the ceramic coating. And the reason behind that is the first coat is going to act as the primer and gel coat especially is very porous. So that first coat, we want to kind of lay that base and fill in those deep pores in the surface. And then the second coat is going to make sure that the surface is sealed, give you that extra layer of protection that added shine and that durability.

When we're putting two coats on, we want to wait at least an hour between the first coat and the second coat. That's what we've done here. You can also wait and do it over the course of the next day or even a couple of days. The only difference is you want to wipe the the boat down with wet rag with water just to clean it off if there's any dust or anything like that.

And then again, going back to my tape marks on the rub rail here, what I'm going to do is as I apply my second coat, I'm going to be working towards the front of the boat, I'm just going to remove this piece of tape and move it up here just to indicate that I've finished these areas. And as I go I'm just taking the tape off so that I know that I've applied my second coat.

The other thing, too, is I'm going to grab a fresh sponge, fresh microfibers, and you don't want to reuse any of the stuff that you're using on the first coat because that will kind of cure and solidify over time.

I'm going to apply it the exact same way. It's putting the sponge, tipping the bottle with my first section.

I'm gonna do a little bit more and I'm going to be applying it in the same way. So I do it up and down side to side. It's going to act kind of similarly where you know, it's going to go on pretty uniformly. And then after about 30 seconds to a minute, it's going to start to sweat a little bit. And that's kind of what I'm looking for visually. Then I can come in buff it doing the exact same method as before. Applying some pressure, keeping it within the section on the first wipe, and then flipping over and making sure I've got any high spots or any excess material.

You're going to notice it's going to be a little bit smoother the second go around because that first c are already starting to care a little bit and you're likely going to use a little bit less material on a second coat as well.

I'm just making sure I've got any high spots, any leftover residue, making sure it's clean and uniform and like I said, I'm going to go ahead and take this piece of tape and move it up here. So now that I know anything to the left that doesn't have any tape means I've already finished my two coats and I'm going to overlap and continue to put my second coat on the entire boat and then the coating will fully care in 24 hours. So if you're planning on using the boat, I allow that 24 hours full cure before you're going to put it back on the water.