Cruisers Yachts hull refinished in gray with a high-gloss paint finish

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Gelcoat Restoration & Ceramic Coating in South Florida

We remove oxidation, staining and swirl marks to bring back a deep, mirror-like gloss, then lock it in under a hydrophobic marine ceramic coating built for the Florida sun.

Is It Time?

Signs your gelcoat needs attention

UV, salt and heat break down gelcoat slowly, then quickly. Catching it early means correction instead of a costly repaint.

Chalky residue

A white film comes off on your hand when you touch the hull.

Faded color

Colored hulls look washed out and white gelcoat turns gray or flat.

No reflection

The surface no longer mirrors the dock, the sky or the water.

Stains & yellowing

Waterline scum, exhaust and rust stains that washing will not remove.

One Service, Two Stages

Restore the gloss. Then protect it.

Correction brings the finish back. Ceramic coating keeps it that way, so you spend more time on the water and less time polishing.

White yacht hull flare restored with a seamless gelcoat finish

Stage 1

Gelcoat Restoration

Multi-stage machine compounding and precision polishing remove oxidation, staining and imperfections layer by layer, preserving as much original gelcoat as possible.

  • Oxidation and chalking removed
  • Stains and waterline scum corrected
  • Swirl marks and haze refined to a deep gloss
  • Gelcoat chips and holes repaired and color-matched
Dark gray yacht hull with a mirror-gloss paint finish after refinishing

Stage 2

Marine Ceramic Coating

A crystal-clear coating that bonds to freshly corrected gelcoat or paint, forming a hard, glossy barrier that outperforms traditional wax and sealants.

  • Strong UV and oxidation resistance
  • Hydrophobic: water, salt and grime slide off
  • Easier, faster washdowns
  • Long-lasting gloss with proper maintenance

Before & After

Gelcoat brought back to life

Recent gelcoat repair and restoration work from South Florida marinas.

Yacht transom and swim platform with old hardware holes before fiberglass and gelcoat repair
Yacht transom and swim platform restored with seamless gelcoat after hole repairs

Transom & swim platform: old hardware holes filled, gelcoat matched and restored

White yacht hull flare with a fiberglass and gelcoat repair patch in progress
White yacht hull flare restored with a seamless gelcoat finish

Hull flare: damaged area repaired and blended into a seamless white finish

Our Process

From oxidized to mirror gloss

We match the cut to the condition, removing only what is necessary at every stage.

Yacht transom and swim platform with old hardware holes before fiberglass and gelcoat repair

01

Inspection & Decontamination

We assess oxidation depth and gelcoat thickness, then wash away salt, grime and contaminants.

White yacht hull flare with a fiberglass and gelcoat repair patch in progress

02

Repair & Wet Sanding

Chips and holes are repaired, and heavy oxidation is leveled with progressive grits where needed.

Gelcoat restoration and oxidation correction

03

Multi-Stage Compounding

Machine compounding removes the oxidized layer, staining and sanding marks.

White yacht hull flare restored with a seamless gelcoat finish

04

Precision Polishing

Fine polishing refines the surface to a deep, uniform, mirror-like gloss.

Cruisers Yachts hull refinished in gray with a high-gloss paint finish

05

Ceramic Coating

The coating is applied panel by panel and cured to lock in the finish.

Protection Compared

Wax, sealant or ceramic?

All three add shine. Only one is built to keep it through a South Florida season.

Marine WaxPolymer SealantCeramic Coating
DurabilityShortest; wears off quickly in sun and saltModerateLongest-lasting with proper care
UV & oxidation protectionLightGoodExcellent
Water beadingFades fastGoodStrongly hydrophobic
Gloss & depthWarm shineSlick shineDeep, glass-like gloss
MaintenanceFrequent reapplicationPeriodic reapplicationEasy washdowns, periodic top-ups

An Honest Recommendation

Restore the gelcoat, or paint?

We will always tell you which option your yacht actually needs.

Gelcoat restoration is right when…

  • Oxidation is surface-level to moderate
  • There is enough gelcoat thickness left to correct
  • You want to keep the factory finish and color

Painting is right when…

  • Gelcoat is worn through, crazed or cracked
  • Previous repairs no longer match
  • You want a new color or a metallic finish

Explore yacht painting

Gelcoat FAQ

Gelcoat & ceramic questions

Not sure if your gelcoat can be saved? We will inspect it and tell you honestly.

What causes gelcoat oxidation?

UV exposure, salt and heat break down the resin at the surface of the gelcoat, leaving it porous, chalky and dull. South Florida’s sun speeds the process up.

How often should gelcoat be restored?

It depends on sun exposure, storage and maintenance. A ceramic coating and regular washing greatly extend the time between corrections, and we will recommend a care schedule for your yacht.

Does my yacht need to be hauled out?

Topsides and superstructures are usually restored in the water at your dock. Below-waterline work requires a haul-out, which we can coordinate.

Can ceramic coating be applied without polishing first?

A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, so the gelcoat should be corrected first. That is why we offer restoration and ceramic coating as one service.

How long does a ceramic coating last?

A professionally applied marine ceramic coating lasts far longer than wax or sealant. How long depends on exposure and care; regular washdowns and periodic top-ups keep it performing.

Can you repair chips and holes in gelcoat?

Yes. Chips, screw holes and small damage are filled and color-matched so the repair blends into the surrounding finish before polishing.

N&E crew removing masking from a freshly painted white superyacht hull

Free Assessment

Bring back the shine and keep it

Tell us about your vessel and where it’s docked. We’ll inspect the gelcoat on-site and recommend exactly what it needs, with no obligation.

(561) 541-2380

Request an Assessment

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