Ceramic coating in Maine?

[ripple963]

Hi Folks - we're hull #1673, 2026 LEII; we live in Maine.  I'm reaching out to CGI to try to arrange ceramic coating while they are here; their large number of Olivers coated seems a great recommendation.  Also wondering if anyone has any experience / insight on ceramic coating companies in Maine...  any thoughts appreciated.  Thanks!

[topgun2]

3 hours ago, ripple963 said:

any thoughts appreciated.

This is one of the major reasons I had my Ollie done by the CGI guys.

Certainly I didn't want my Ollie screwed up by someone that really didn't know what they were doing.  There are a few shops doing this kind of work in and around the Asheville, NC area, but, very few of them had ANY EXPERIENCE with fiberglass.  And, reviews were generally mixed.

After seeing how hard CGI guys work, seeing the results of their work and then getting to meet them at one of the Oliver Owner's Rallies, I was sold.

There have been a few posts here on the Forum by members that have used other outfits and they have noted satisfactions with the results at prices that are competitive or even lower than CGI.  Unfortunately, I do not recall any of those posts being for ceramic coating shops anywhere near Maine.

Good luck!

Bill

[ripple963]

Thanks!

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, topgun2 said:

There have been a few posts here on the Forum by members that have used other outfits and they have noted satisfactions with the results at prices that are competitive or even lower than CGI.

One post was re our hull. I got very lucky finding a local independent, referred by my auto body guy, who is quite meticulous himself. My price was considerably lower, but it's not just about price. Having good responsible local resources is best when available. Now I have a local go-to guy, making it easy whenever our Ollie needs a sprucing up!

But we're rather far from the great state of Maine! Though I believe @ripple963 has the right idea in asking. Keep looking! Finding a local company was on my mind for two years as she got more and more pasty white! If not in Maine, maybe you'll find a great company in nearby New Hampshire! 😎 That great state of Tennessee is too far for most of us! 

Edited Sunday at 09:43 PM by jd1923

[HDRider]

Gemini says:

 

Several specialized detailing and automotive shops across Maine provide fiberglass gelcoat restoration and ceramic coating services specifically for RVs, motorhomes, and campers.

 

 

 

Mad Mike's Custom Detailing

4.7

📍 Car wash

Open· Closes 4:00 PM

 

Mad Mike's Custom Detailing Click to open side panel for more information

Mad Mike's Custom Detailing Click to open side panel for more information , located in Windham, is a family-owned business specializing in intensive custom detailing for large-format vehicles, including RVs, campers, and boats. Reviewers note their expertise with ceramic-based coatings, specifically highlighting how effectively the treatments restore weathered fiberglass finishes and leave an enduring shine.

• Large-Vehicle Specialist: Equipped to handle the intense scale of motorhomes and trailers rather than just standard automobiles.

• Fiberglass & Gelcoat Refinishing: Experienced in tackling the specific surface porousness and oxidation challenges common to fiberglass RV shells.

 

Fineshine Auto Spa

5.0

Open· Closes 5:00 PM

 

Fineshine Auto Spa Click to open side panel for more information

Operating out of Eliot and serving Southern Maine,Fineshine Auto Spa Click to open side panel for more information provides premium marine and mobile automotive detailing. They specialize in high-durability ceramic coatings designed to withstand severe weather, offering the extreme hydrophobic protection necessary to keep large fiberglass surfaces clean.

• Mobile Convenience: They feature fully equipped mobile units that can come directly to your location or storage site to apply coatings.

• Marine-Grade Preparation: Their experience with boat detailing translates directly to handling porous RV fiberglass and gelcoat materials.

 

Prestige Tint & Detail

4.7

Open· Closes 5:00 PM

 

Prestige Tint & Detail Click to open side panel for more information

Based in Portland,Prestige Tint & Detail Click to open side panel for more information is a high-end protective shop offering multi-year warranted ceramic coatings. Though heavy vehicle projects require an individual consultation, they specialize in intensive, multi-stage paint and gelcoat correction to remove deep oxidation before sealing the exterior.

• Multi-Stage Surface Correction: Focuses heavily on removing surface imperfections, swirls, and chalky oxidation so the coating bonds perfectly to the fiberglass.

• Premium Coating Options: Utilizes professional-grade formulas engineered for long-term UV defense and chemical resistance against road salt and grime.

 

Coastal Car Wash & Detail Center

4.1

🧼 Car wash

Open

 

Coastal Car Wash & Detail Center Click to open side panel for more information

Located in Damariscotta,Coastal Car Wash & Detail Center Click to open side panel for more information offers dedicated on-site and shop-based specialty packages tailored directly to RVs and boats. They focus on complete exterior washing, decontamination, and specialized surface protection priced incrementally by the foot.

• Dedicated RV Packages: Offers explicitly structured maintenance and protective detailing menus tailored for recreational vehicles.

• On-Site Availability: Provides the flexibility of on-site service calls depending on the size of your rig and scheduling needs.

Would you prefer a shop with a permanent indoor bay that can fit your specific rig's clearance, or are you looking for a mobile detailer who can apply the coating at your home?

[HDRider]

Grok says:

 

Here’s a list of businesses in Maine that offer ceramic coatings, with a focus on those that handle RVs, motorhomes, or large vehicles (or explicitly mention them). Ceramic coating for RVs is somewhat specialized due to size, materials (like gelcoat), and surface prep needs, so many auto detailers that do RVs or large vehicles can accommodate it—always confirm RV-specific experience and capabilities when contacting them.

 

davesautocare.net

Businesses that explicitly handle RVs/motorhomes + ceramic coatings or detailing:

• Dave's Auto Care (Saco, near Portland)
  Offers ceramic coatings and full detailing for motorhomes, boats, and large vehicles. They’ve been in business since 1980 and handle a wide range of vehicle sizes.
  Address: 775 Portland Road, Saco, ME. Phone: (207) 831-9095. Website: davesautocare.net.
   

  davesautocare.net
• Maine Recon (Scarborough)
  Provides auto detailing services for RVs, boats, cars, trucks, and more. They offer professional cleaning, protection services, and restoration (contact them about ceramic coating options).
  Address: 70 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough, ME. Phone: (207) 205-4153. Website: mainerecon.com.
   

  mainerecon.com
• John's Detailing & Cleaning (Bowdoinham)
  Mobile service specializing in premium car, boat, and RV detailing + ceramic coatings. They emphasize professional protection services.
  Website: johndcl.com. Phone: Check site or Instagram for current number (e.g., (207) 719-8153 mentioned in posts).
   

  johndcl.com
• Fine Shine Auto Spa (Mobile, serves southern Maine & NH areas like Somersworth, South Berwick, etc.)
  Mobile detailing with ceramic coatings; they specifically offer RV detailing services.
   

  fineshineautospa.com

Other strong options in Maine (primarily auto ceramic coatings, likely able to handle or refer for RVs):

• Every Detail (Portland) — Highly rated for ceramic coatings and detailing.
   

  everydetailme.com
• Shoreline Detail Pros (Brunswick) — Premium ceramic coatings (Modesta certified), PPF, and high-end detailing.
   

  shorelinedetailpros.com
• Prestige Tint & Detail (Portland) — Advanced ceramic coating services.
   

  prestigeautodetailingllc.com
• 207’s Finest Detailing (Portland area) — Ceramic coatings and auto detailing.
   

  207finestdetailing.com

Tips:

• RV ceramic coatings often require thorough prep (oxidation removal, polishing) and can be priced per linear foot or by size—expect it to be a significant investment.
• Mobile detailers are common in Maine and can come to you, which is ideal for RVs.
• Check reviews on Yelp, Google, or Facebook groups for recent RV-specific experiences. Some RV dealers or body shops may also partner with or recommend coaters.
   

  yelp.com

If none of these are close enough or you need options in a specific part of Maine (e.g., northern or midcoast), let me know for more targeted suggestions!

Edited yesterday at 05:51 PM by HDRider

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, HDRider said:

RV ceramic coatings often require thorough prep (oxidation removal, polishing) and can be priced per linear foot or by size—expect it to be a significant investment.

More time in the prep than the ceramic coating. I spent hours in prep prior to handing off our Oliver to “the shop.” I felt the more I did, the more time he could spend on the shine. I will start a thread on my pre-work and restoration project.

Our local guy charged $85 per linear foot. The CGI starting price is $128/ft, figuring the Oliver EII at 23.5 feet long.

[topgun2]

15 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Our local guy charged $85 per linear foot. The CGI starting price is $128/ft, figuring the Oliver EII at 23.5 feet long.

Are you comparing "apples" to "apples" here? 

Was the local guy only charging for the application of the ceramic coating while the CGI price includes all the prep work?

Bill

 

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Are you comparing "apples" to "apples" here? 

Was the local guy only charging for the application of the ceramic coating while the CGI price includes all the prep work?

Bill

No, not at all, please allow me to explain! No detailer includes ALL the prep work, at least the way I see it!

First, I removed all the silicone caulk around the windows and everywhere else. This is something detailers work around, CGI included. I removed the brackets for the awning, the surrounds on the taillights, the faces of the HWH and furnace, and every piece of trim on the doghouse and spare tire cover (see before/after pics) and so much more!

Why? When something as little as the awning mount is screwed into the body, CGI or any detailer must polish around the item, never getting the fiberglass right close to the trim part. They must stay clear of these parts when using a power buffer. Remove two screws in two minutes and they can use a buffer machine over the full body panel vs. working around it. Meanwhile, I'm cleaning and detailing all the trim parts, replaced some with new parts, so the end result is far better. CGI is not doing this and nobody would expect a detailer to do so. I know the end result on Hull #113 came out WAY BETTER compared to merely "dropping her off for ceramic coating." 

I know the difference, but most people will not take it upon themselves to do this work. I even removed the Dometic Penguin, plugged the opening, and did not install our new Chill Cube A/C until my guy polished every bit of the roof, right up to the 14x14" hole! The gelcoat shines, even under our new A/C. It is apples to oranges, but not in the way you were thinking.😎

With my experience in auto restoration projects, it would be like me taking a car in for paint with all the trim still bolted on. Not my car! The painter would have to mask everything that should not be painted, might as well "go to Maaco! Years ago, when my '59 Chrysler 300E went in for paint and detailing, every single trim piece; lights, mirrors, stainless moldings, bumpers, etc. were all removed. The bumpers were re-chromed, the stainless straightened, dings removed and polished, taillights fully restored with NOS lenses, the list goes on. Afterwards, she won People's Choice awards at a few car shows.

IMHO, $3000 is just too much to pay, though I've heard of shops that charge even more. Considering travel costs and the condition of our hull, the CGI price "starting at $3,000" would total even more. Once they advertised +$400 for their service at distant locations. We don't have that kind of money just to be pretty! Chris said once, "Why does an Oliver have to be shiny." Love that woman, for her common sense and everything else!

October 2024 at the Texas Rally, I observed the CGI work on a few hulls. No question, they do very good work. Our hull was still pasty at the time. I was taking my time working mechanical and electrical mods first, waiting for when I could do this right. My extra efforts along with detailing work of equal quality together produced a superior result.

At Quartzsite this year, there was not a better optioned or better looking hull. 😎 Not only IMHO, but from the comments of several other Oliver owners attending. I spent 2 years getting our Oliver optioned better than most and now our Ugly Duckling has turned into our Beautiful Swan. My latest restoration project is just about done.

The pictures to follow show just one small example of the work required to fully restore a 10-year-old hull which had, and will still have, a whole lot of sun exposure! Glad we have the local guy who worked extra hours to get this right. Cameron will see our Oliver again, every year or two for a going over. I won't need to do all the work I did the first time. With his help Hull #113 will look good another 10 years!