Empire Aircraft Detailing
System X ceramic protection for aircraft based in San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area. Certified System X installer offering two warranty tiers: Empire Shield (2-year, System X Pro+) and Empire Excellence (10-year, System X Max G+). Professional installation with paint correction at KSJC, KRHV, KCCR, KLVK, KHWD, KAPC, and beyond.
Our Process
System X Max G+ is a ceramic coating that provides the highest level of paint protection available for aviation. This professional-grade nano-ceramic coating creates a permanent bond with the paint surface, providing exceptional UV protection, hydrophobic properties, and chemical resistance. The 10-year manufacturer warranty backs the durability of this coating system under our Empire Excellence tier.
For aluminum and bare metal aircraft surfaces, the System X product line includes specialized ceramic formulations designed for the unique requirements of unpainted metal. As certified System X installers, we select the appropriate System X product for each surface type, protecting against oxidation, corrosion, and environmental contamination while maintaining the natural appearance of polished aluminum.
Ceramic coating achieves its best results when applied to properly prepared surfaces. Our paint correction process removes swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation, and surface contamination before coating application. This multi-stage correction ensures maximum coating adhesion and the deepest, cleanest finish possible.
Ceramic coating application requires controlled conditions and precise technique. Each panel is individually coated, leveled, and inspected under LED light before moving to the next section. Cure time varies by product and conditions, typically 24 to 48 hours for initial cure with full hardness achieved at 7 days. We coordinate hangar access and aircraft scheduling around cure requirements.
Ceramic coating is completely prohibited on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 composite airframes per Cirrus Service Advisory SA25-02. Empire Aircraft Detailing will never apply ceramic coating to a Cirrus composite airframe under any circumstances. Instead, we protect Cirrus aircraft with manufacturer-appropriate wash, paint correction, and approved sealant services.
Service Tiers
Entry-level ceramic protection providing 2 years of UV protection, hydrophobic water beading, and easier cleaning. Includes single-layer System X Pro+ application with paint decontamination. Ideal for owners seeking protection without the full commitment of long-term coating.
Request Quote →Our premier ceramic protection package featuring System X Max G+ with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Includes multi-stage paint correction, clay bar decontamination, and multi-layer ceramic application. Recommended for aircraft owners seeking the ultimate in long-term paint protection.
Request Quote →For Operators
Reduced wash frequency and faster cleaning times between flights.
UV protection that maintains fleet appearance and paint value over time.
Hydrophobic properties that reduce water spotting and environmental contamination.
Long-term cost savings through reduced exterior maintenance requirements.
Ceramic coating is available for all aircraft sizes from GA piston singles through large cabin jets at every Bay Area airport Empire serves. Paint correction is included in all Empire Excellence packages and available as an add-on for Empire Shield.
Questions
Empire Shield provides 2-year ceramic protection with single-layer System X Pro+ application. Empire Excellence uses System X Max G+ with multi-layer application and includes a 10-year manufacturer warranty plus multi-stage paint correction.
We quote each project individually based on aircraft size, paint condition, and whether correction work is needed. Contact us at (510) 398-3156 or book a consultation for a personalized estimate.
No. Per Cirrus Service Advisory SA25-02, ceramic coating is completely prohibited on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 composite airframes. We will never apply ceramic coating to a Cirrus.
Full installation including paint correction takes 3 to 5 days depending on aircraft size and condition. This includes proper cure time in a controlled environment.
Yes. Empire Aircraft Detailing is Fully Insured with Hangarkeepers coverage, protecting your aircraft throughout the coating process from prep through final cure.
The San Francisco Bay Area combination of coastal salt air, marine fog, UV exposure, and jet exhaust contamination at busy airports like KSJC and KOAK makes aircraft paint especially vulnerable to oxidation and degradation. System X ceramic coating creates a permanent chemical barrier that resists all of these environmental threats. The hydrophobic surface also means faster, easier washes with less abrasion, extending the life of your paint system for years beyond what wax or sealant can achieve. Empire Aircraft Detailing is the Bay Area certified System X installer, bringing laboratory-grade ceramic installation to your hangar at any airport we serve.
Not every aircraft owner needs the same level of ceramic commitment. Empire Shield (System X Pro+, 2-year warranty) is ideal for owners new to ceramic, aircraft approaching a planned repaint, or budget-conscious operators who want real ceramic performance now. Empire Excellence (System X Max G+, 10-year warranty) is the flagship tier for owners who want the maximum in long-term protection, gloss retention, and contamination resistance. Both tiers include certified installation, panel-by-panel LED inspection, and full documentation.
In Depth
Owners and flight departments choose ceramic coating for reasons that go well beyond gloss. A properly applied System X coating creates a hard, hydrophobic layer that makes contaminants struggle to bond and rain sheet away, which translates directly into faster, easier washes and less time spent cleaning between trips. It also provides meaningful defense against UV fade, environmental fallout and the etching caused by pollen and industrial deposits. Over the life of the coating, that protection preserves the finish and the value of the aircraft. We offer two System X programs — Empire Shield and Empire Excellence — so the level of protection and warranty can be matched to how the aircraft is flown and stored.
Success Stories
A few representative aviation ceramic coating projects completed for owners, flight departments and charter operators across the San Francisco Bay Area. Every aircraft is serviced on-site at its home hangar or FBO by an owner-operated, fully insured mobile team.
Corporate Flight Department
Cessna Citation Latitude
Empire Excellence — System X Max G+ coating with full paint correction prep
Wash times cut dramatically and the finish still beads and sheets rain two seasons later.
Private Owner
Pilatus PC-12
Empire Shield — System X Pro+ coating over corrected paint
UV fade and pollen etching stopped in its tracks; the owner reports far easier post-flight wipe-downs.
Part 135 Charter Operator
Embraer Legacy 500
Fleet ceramic coating program rolled out aircraft-by-aircraft
Standardized presentation across the fleet and reduced recurring wash labor between legs.
Request a tailored quote and our team will come to your aircraft at its hangar or FBO anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. A specialist responds personally — usually the same day.