Cilajet

What Cilajet does

Cilajet is a privately held specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Pedro, California, operating as a subsidiary of the VSS Group diversified conglomerate. The company produces aviation-grade ceramic paint protection and interior protection products built on a proprietary ceramic polymer nanotechnology platform enhanced with a graphene additive, employing a scientifically designed suspension process that prevents graphene separation in solution. Its flagship Cilajet Aviation Grade formulation conforms to Boeing Specification D6-17487 and Airbus Specification AIMS09-00-002, with additional AMS 1650C aerospace compliance, giving the company a defensible aerospace-grade provenance that competitors lack.

The core product portfolio spans automotive, aviation, and marine ceramic coatings, plus interior protection products (Cilajet Fab for fabric, Cilajet Hide for leather/vinyl) and restoration compounds (Cilajet Wet, Cilajet Super Wet). Cilajet sells professional-grade paint protection exclusively through a network of authorized dealerships across the United States and internationally, providing technical training, reinsurance programs, and preload options to dealers. The consumer aftercare line — including car shampoo, gel wax, polish, wheel and glass cleaners, drying towels, wash mitts, and detailing kits — is distributed directly through Amazon and a shop.cilajet.com storefront, creating a parallel B2C revenue stream.

Pricing varies by dealership, with Cilajet providing recommended retail guidance but leaving final pricing to the channel. Customer segments span luxury and exotic car owners, daily commuters, off-road and classic-car enthusiasts, commercial and private aircraft operators, and marine vessel owners (yacht manufacturers, certified detailers, recreational boaters). The company's distribution model is fundamentally channel-led: dealer-applied professional protection is the primary monetization path, while consumer aftercare products create direct end-user relationships and recurring purchase behavior independent of the dealer network.

Name

Cilajet

Legal name

Cilajet

Website

https://cilajet.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cilajet manufactures aviation-grade ceramic paint protection and interior protection coatings for the automotive, marine, and aviation markets, selling through authorized dealerships in the US and via Amazon for consumer aftercare products. The company is owned by VSS Group and operates from California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Paint Protection Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive & Transportation Coatings (IMAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aircraft Painting & Surface Treatment (IMABALAI), Passenger Vehicle Paint, Coatings & Surface Finishing (ICE) (IMACAAAD)

Keywords

• Automotive paint protection
• Ceramic coatings
• Aviation grade sealant
• Marine ceramic coatings
• Car care products

Headquarters

HQ city

Gardena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Dealer Paint Protection Products: Cilajet's primary revenue stream comes from selling automotive paint protection products to authorized dealerships throughout the United States. Dealers purchase preload options and receive reinsurance programs. Products include ceramic coatings, paint sealants, and interior protection applied by trained dealership technicians.
2. Consumer Aftercare Products: Consumer-facing aftercare products sold directly through Amazon and the website, including car shampoo, gel wax, car polish, wheel cleaner, glass cleaner, detailing kits, drying towels, and car wash mitts.
3. Aircraft Paint Protection: Aviation-grade paint protection products for commercial and private aircraft, certified to Boeing and Airbus specifications.
4. Marine Paint Protection: Ceramic coatings for boats and marine vessels, serving yacht manufacturers, certified marine detailers, and boating enthusiasts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cilajet manufactures and sells aviation-grade ceramic paint protection products originally developed for the commercial aerospace industry. The company sells professional-grade ceramic coatings with graphene additive to authorized automotive dealerships (and to aviation/marine channels) under a dealer-only distribution model, and also markets a line of consumer aftercare detailing products (shampoo, polish, wax, cleaners, towels) directly via Amazon and its own storefront.

Product overview

Cilajet is an aviation-grade ceramic and paint protection product company originally developed for the commercial aerospace industry. The core product is Cilajet Aviation Grade, a ceramic polymer nanotechnology-based paint sealant with graphene additive that conforms to Boeing Specification D6-17487 and Airbus Specification AIMS09-00-002. The product portfolio includes specialized variants for Automotive (Cilajet Auto Paint Protection, Cilajet Ceramic with Graphene), Aviation (Cilajet Aero), and Marine (Cilajet Marine) applications. Professional paint protection and ceramic coatings are dealer-only products applied by trained technicians, while consumer aftercare products including the Car Detailing Kit, Car-Shampoo, Gel-Wax, Quick-Shine Polish, Wheel Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Extreme Drying Towel, and Car Wash Mitt are available for direct purchase. Interior protection is offered through Cilajet Fab (fabric protection) and Cilajet Hide (leather/vinyl conditioner).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cilajet Aviation Grade Paint Protection The flagship aviation-grade ceramic paint protection sealant originally developed for commercial aerospace applications. Conforms to Boeing Specification #D6-17487 and Airbus Specification #AIMS09-00-002. Applied by trained dealership technicians for cars, boats, and aircraft.
• Cilajet Ceramic Coating with Graphene Ceramic polymer nanotechnology-based exterior coating product with graphene additive. Provides 9H hardness, hydrophobic properties, and enhanced durability versus standard ceramic coatings. Dealer-applied automotive ceramic coating.
• Cilajet Aero (Aircraft Paint Protection) Aviation-grade paint protection specifically formulated for commercial and private aircraft. Certified to Boeing Specification D6-17487, Airbus Specification AIMS09-00-002, and AMS 1650C. Provides anti-corrosive protection, reduced drag, and fuel savings.
• Cilajet Marine Ceramic Coating Marine-specific ceramic paint protection for commercial, luxury, and recreational boats. Designed to combat oxidative and corrosive effects of salt water. Used by yacht manufacturers, certified marine detailers, and boating enthusiasts.
• Cilajet Fab (Interior Fabric Protection) Fabric and textile protection product for interior surfaces such as upholstery, carpet, and convertible tops. Repels stains from soft drinks, coffee, oil, food, and other liquids. Non-hazardous, hypoallergenic, 0% VOC.
• Cilajet Hide (Leather/Vinyl Protection) Leather and vinyl conditioner and protector for interior surfaces. Prevents drying, cracking, fading, and discoloration. Non-hazardous, hypoallergenic, 0% VOC.
• Cilajet Wet (Paint Restoration/Priming) Restoration and priming product that prepares paint for Cilajet Aviation Grade sealant by removing webbing or hazing and repairing oxidization effects. Used in aviation and marine contexts.
• Cilajet Super Wet (Severe Oxidation Treatment) Strongest polish and paint correction compound for severely oxidized aircraft surfaces. Used as part of the aviation/marine restoration process before applying Cilajet sealant.
• Cilajet Car Detailing Kit Consumer car care kit containing Car-Shampoo 16 oz, Quick-Shine Car Polish 32 oz, Gel-Wax 8 oz, and 2 Microfiber Towels. Eco-friendly with low to 0% VOC.
• Cilajet Car-Shampoo Professional-grade concentrated car wash formula. One 16 oz bottle provides up to 16 car washes. Eco-friendly, biodegradable, 0% VOC, non-hazardous.
• Cilajet Gel-Wax Non-abrasive car wax fortified with polymer resins and natural waxes. Creates a mirror-like shine without rubbing or buffing. Less than 10% VOC.
• Cilajet Quick-Shine Car Polish Spray car polish for quick touch-ups between washes. Leaves mirror-like finish and creates slick surface that prevents contaminants from adhering. Low VOC.
• Cilajet Auto Wheel Cleaner Non-acidic wheel cleaner with pH-neutral formula. Dissolves brake dust and road grime without damaging wheel finishes. Safe on alloy, chrome, painted rims, calipers, and whitewalls.
• Cilajet Auto Glass Cleaner Ammonia-free glass cleaner safe for tinted glass and all automotive window films. Delivers streak-free, residue-free results on windshields, windows, and mirrors.
• Cilajet Extreme Drying Towel Oversized 36" x 24" professional drying towel with 1200GSM twisted-loop microfiber weave. Ultra-absorbent, paint-safe, scratch-free, lint-free with edgeless design.
• Cilajet Car Wash Mitt Professional car wash mitt made from quality microfiber material. Ensures thorough clean without scratching paint, with comfortable secure fit and efficient soap retention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5+ years protection with single application
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VSS GroupcoreOthersVSS Group is the parent company of Cilajet. Doug Volkert serves as Chief Operating Officer of VSS Group, driving operational strategy and execution across the organization with focus on automotive partners enhancing customer retention and business performance.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ceramic Pro: Ceramic Pro is the most direct competitor to Cilajet, offering a global network of certified installers applying nano-ceramic coatings to vehicles, boats, and aircraft. Both companies operate dealer/installer-channel distribution models selling premium ceramic paint protection with multi-year durability claims.
• Gtechniq: Gtechniq manufactures professional-grade ceramic coatings, sealants, and car care products sold through approved detailers and dealers. It competes with Cilajet in the automotive ceramic coating category with similar positioning around long-lasting protection and hydrophobic performance.
• CarPro: CarPro is a South Korea-based manufacturer of professional ceramic coatings (notably CQuartz) and detailing products distributed through authorized detailers worldwide. It competes directly with Cilajet in the professional ceramic paint protection category.
• Gyeon Quartz: Gyeon Quartz is a South Korean premium ceramic coating and detailing brand sold through certified detailers globally. It is a direct competitor to Cilajet in the automotive paint protection market with comparable professional installer distribution.
• Optimum Polymer Technologies: Optimum Polymer Technologies develops polymer and ceramic-based automotive coatings, sealants, and detailing products marketed to professional detailers and dealerships. It overlaps with Cilajet's product portfolio and professional channel strategy.
• Sonax: Sonax is a German automotive care and paint protection manufacturer offering ceramic coatings, polishes, and detailing products. It competes with Cilajet across both professional automotive detailing and consumer aftercare product categories.
• Koch-Chemie: Koch-Chemie is a German manufacturer of professional vehicle care products including ceramic coatings, polishes, and detailing chemicals. It serves professional detailers and dealerships as Cilajet does, with comparable product breadth across automotive paint protection.

Broad incumbents

• Turtle Wax: Turtle Wax is a large established mass-market automotive appearance products brand offering ceramic sprays, sealants, and waxes. While broader and more retail-focused than Cilajet, it competes in the consumer aftercare and increasingly ceramic coating categories.
• Meguiar's: Meguiar's, owned by 3M, is a dominant global brand in automotive surface care, including ceramic coatings, polishes, and waxes. It competes with Cilajet across both consumer detailing products and professional detailer channels.
• Chemical Guys: Chemical Guys is a US-based car care brand with a broad portfolio of detailing products, ceramic coatings, and accessories sold through retail and professional channels. It competes with Cilajet's consumer aftercare line and increasingly in the ceramic coating category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cilajetaviationgrade
• Xx.com/cilajet

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cilajet