Aircraft paint works harder than car paint. It faces UV at altitude, rain at speed, exhaust soot, de-icing fluid and frequent washing. For owners who want the best protection we offer, we layer two products: Skygloss Fusion to rebuild the clear coat, and a Fireball ceramic coating to shield it.
Skygloss: the foundation
Skygloss Fusion is a wipe-on 2K clear coat. It isn't a ceramic. It bonds to the existing paint and adds thickness and depth to the clear coat across the wings, fuselage and tail. Read more about Skygloss.
- Up to 10 years of durability for the clear coat itself
- Future wear is polished out of the Skygloss, never your base coat or livery
- Polished after curing to remove the static surface, leaving a smoother, slicker skin
- Backed by a 5-year adhesion warranty
Ceramic coating: the shield
Fireball Eternity Professional 10 Year Ceramic goes on over the Skygloss. It adds further thickness and a hard, glass-like layer that takes the hits first.
- A much slicker surface that reduces surface friction
- Lotus effect: rain beads and sheds, taking loose dirt with it
- Exhaust soot and grime struggle to bond, so they wash off instead of staining
- Highly scratch resistant, with self-healing of light swirls and fine scratches in heat of 30°C and above
- Up to 10 years of durability, backed by a 7-year warranty
What owners notice
- Less drag. A slicker skin and cleaner leading edges reduce surface friction. In a Twin & Turbine feature, a coating supplier said Pilatus PC-12 owners had reported 5–7 knot gains in cruise speed and lower fuel burn after coating. Those are owner reports, and results vary by aircraft and conditions.
- Faster washes. Bugs on leading edges, exhaust soot and grime release with far less effort, so routine washes take less time.
- Cleaner between washes. Rain does some of the work, beading off the ceramic and carrying loose dirt with it.
- Paint that lasts. Wear is taken by the ceramic and Skygloss layers, not the livery, which helps you avoid the cost and downtime of a respray.
How the layers stack up
- Fireball ceramic. The glass-like shield. Takes UV, rain, soot and chemicals first.
- Skygloss Fusion. Added clear coat thickness and depth. Any future polishing comes out of here.
- Original clear coat. Sealed under two layers and kept intact.
- Base coat and livery. Never cut into.
Skygloss, ceramic or both?
| Skygloss | Ceramic | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adds thickness to the clear coat | Yes | Thin layer only | Thickest build |
| Future wear polished out without touching the livery | Yes | No | Yes |
| Slick, static-free finish | Yes | Yes | Slickest |
| Glass-like shield | No | Yes | Yes |
| Resists exhaust soot and grime | Not its job | Yes | Yes |
| Self-cleaning in rain | No | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5-year adhesion | 7 years | 5-year Skygloss + 7-year ceramic |
Why the combined package makes sense
- Each layer covers the other's gap. Skygloss alone leaves the clear coat exposed to soot, rain and chemicals. Ceramic alone sits on the original clear coat, so any future correction cuts into your paint.
- Done once, in one booking. Preparation, correction and polishing happen once, instead of paying for prep work twice down the track.
- A package saving. Booking both together comes with a combined package discount.
What the process looks like
For the combined package, the aircraft is inspected, masked, washed and clay decontaminated. The Skygloss is applied, cured and polished. After a one-week bonding period, we carry out a two-step paint correction and apply the ceramic. Allow around two and a half weeks in total.
Windows, the windscreen, de-ice boots, sensors and the propeller are masked and protected throughout. They're never polished or coated.
Aircraft paint protection in Brisbane
We work hangar-side around Brisbane, and every job is quoted on the aircraft's painted surface area. See our aircraft services or request a quote.
Common questions
Does ceramic coating reduce drag on an aircraft?
A slicker, cleaner surface reduces skin friction, and some owners report small gains in cruise speed and fuel burn. Results vary with aircraft type, conditions and maintenance.
How long does aircraft ceramic coating last?
Fireball Eternity Professional 10 Year Ceramic is rated for up to 10 years of durability and comes with a 7-year warranty, with the recommended care.
Is Skygloss a ceramic coating?
No. Skygloss Fusion is a 2K clear coat that adds thickness to the existing clear coat. We apply a ceramic coating over it to protect it.
How long is the aircraft out of service?
As an estimate, around 3 days for Skygloss alone, about a week for ceramic alone and about two and a half weeks for both, including a one-week bonding period.
Are de-ice boots and windows coated?
No. Windows, the windscreen, de-ice boots, sensors and the propeller are masked and protected. They aren't polished or coated.
