Skid Steer & Track Loader Ceramic Coating (Bobcat, CAT, Kubota & More)
By Anthony Verrelli, 18+ years in detailing and paint protection
Quick answer
For new machines in Arizona, usually yes. Skid steers and track loaders work low, get covered in dirt and concrete, and sit in full sun. Ceramic coating resists UV fading and makes washdowns faster. It won't stop dents or gouges. Coat on delivery, before the first job.
Bobcat, CAT, Kubota, Deere and other brand names are used descriptively. AVOTTO has no dealer partnership or manufacturer endorsement.
Why does compact equipment take the most abuse?
Skid steers and compact track loaders are close to the ground and in the middle of everything. They push dirt, carry pavers, spread decomposed granite, back into trailers and get loaded and unloaded several times a week.
That means constant dust, mud and splatter on the paint. It also means they sit on trailers and in yards in full sun. Combine the two and compact machines often look old long before they are.
Why do skid steers fade so fast in Arizona?
Intense UV breaks down paint and decals. Caliche and fine dust sit on the surface and get scrubbed in at every wash. Hard-water washdowns spot the paint and glass. Harsh degreasers used to cut grime strip what protection the factory paint had.
Who typically owns these machines?
Landscapers
Landscape crews work in residential yards, often in front of the homeowner. The machine is part of how the company looks. Decomposed granite, soil and fertilizer get everywhere, and machines move between jobs daily.
Concrete crews
Concrete crews deal with splatter on every pour. Fresh concrete comes off a coated surface more easily when it's cleaned promptly. Left to cure, it's a job on any surface.
| Option | Cost tier | Protection | Washdowns | Effort to keep up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic coating | Medium | UV and chemical resistance; keeps gloss. No protection from gouges or impact | Mud, dust and fresh splatter release more easily | Low; gentle wash, periodic top-up | New machines on day one |
| Wax / sealant | Low | Short-term gloss and some UV help | Slightly easier at first | High; reapply often in Arizona heat | Short-term or occasional use |
| Do nothing | Low up front | None; paint and decals chalk and fade | Harder over time as paint oxidises | None until it needs fixing | Machines near end of service life |
| Repaint later | High | Resets appearance, then starts fading again | Back to bare paint | Downtime and transport for paint work | Old machines worth refreshing |
Be clear on what coating does. Ceramic coating does not stop rock chips, dents, gouges or deep scratches — a bucket against rock will still mark the paint. It resists UV and chemicals, makes washdowns easier and keeps the gloss. For high-impact areas, paint protection film is the physical layer.
What gets coated on a skid steer or track loader?
- Painted body and loader arms — the main UV and grime surfaces.
- Cab glass and door — easier to see through, easier to clean.
- Plastics and trim — slows chalking.
- Decals and lettering — protected from fading.
Buckets, attachments, cutting edges and tracks are wear parts and aren't coated.
What's on the day-one protection checklist?
- Contact us before delivery with the machine and date, so coating can be booked that week at your yard.
- Coat before the first job where possible.
- Coat paint, glass, plastics and decals.
- Leave attachments and tracks uncoated.
- Switch to gentle cleaners — the coating means you don't need harsh degreasers on the paint.
- Brief the crew on cleaning between jobs.
Does coating help when machines are trailered daily?
Compact machines often spend as much time on a trailer as on a job. On the road they collect diesel soot, road grime and grit thrown up from the truck ahead. In summer that sits on hot paint and bakes on.
A coated surface lets that road film rinse off more easily. It doesn't stop stones hitting the front of the machine on the trailer — that's impact damage, and coating isn't an impact layer.
Tie-down points and chains rub the paint where they contact the machine. That's wear coating can't prevent. Protecting or padding those contact points is a practical step.
For crews that wash machines at the end of every day, the time saved on each wash adds up across the fleet. That's often the clearest reason to coat.
Attachments deserve a word. Pallet forks, augers, trenchers and grapples are wear tools and don't get coated. But attachment storage matters: leaving attachments stacked against a coated machine in the yard rubs the paint. Keep them apart, and the coating has a much easier life.
For rented or financed machines, check the agreement before any work is done. Coating is non-invasive, but it's always worth confirming what the owner allows.
How should skid steers be cleaned between jobs?
- Clean promptly. Concrete, asphalt and monsoon mud release much more easily before they cure or bake on.
- Rinse loose caliche and dust first. Low-to-moderate pressure, with distance from decals, seals, connectors and grease points.
- Use gentle chemicals. A coated machine usually doesn't need harsh degreasers or acid washes on the paint.
- Watch the water. Hard-water washdowns leave spots in the sun. Rinse in shade or early, and dry glass where you can.
- Top up as advised. A coating maintenance product keeps the surface slick between visits.
Between jobs, a quick rinse of concrete and mud before loading the trailer saves the most time. It's easier at the site than back at the yard after hours in the sun.
Should we coat the whole compact fleet?
Many crews run several machines. Coating them in batches keeps appearance consistent and washdowns faster across the board. New deliveries get coated the week they arrive. Older machines may need correction first — see paint correction in Phoenix.
Related: heavy equipment ceramic coating, excavator coating and ceramic coating in Phoenix. We work at yards and sites in Deer Valley and North Phoenix.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ceramic coat a Bobcat?
Yes. The painted body, loader arms, cab glass, plastics and decals can be coated. Attachments and tracks aren't.
Why do skid steers fade so quickly?
They sit in full Arizona sun, get covered in dust and splatter, and get washed often with harsh chemicals. UV and abrasion break down the paint.
Does ceramic coating help with concrete splatter?
It helps fresh concrete release more easily when cleaned promptly. It doesn't stop concrete sticking if left to cure.
Will coating stop dents and scratches on a track loader?
No. Coating doesn't stop dents, gouges, chips or deep scratches. It protects against UV and chemicals and makes cleaning easier.
How should a coated skid steer be washed?
Rinse promptly, use gentle cleaners, keep pressure away from decals, seals and connectors, and avoid letting hard water dry in the sun.
When should a new skid steer be coated?
On delivery, before the first job. Contact us before it arrives so we can coat it at your yard that week.