When completed correctly and taking your time – there is no need to stress. However, if you try to rush the job, it is possible to damage the clear coating past the point of repair. That all said, paint correcting a car’s paintjob is a critical step if you plan on applying a nano ceramic coating or paint protection film.
aint correction can be broken down into multiple stages – based mainly on the damage to the clear coating.
Stage 1 Paint Correction
This one is self-explanatory. It’s a single step polishing job using a cutting compound (or the liquid polish) and a pad. The single stage paint correction is intended to remove small marring and swirl marks that are lightly removed.
Stage 2 Paint Correction
When the car’s paint has moderate or medium swirl marks and scratches that are embedded in the clear, stage 2 is the next progression. At this point, you’re going to use (2) different polishes and pad combinations. Typically – it starts by using a more abrasive polish first, then stepping down to a finer compound, to remove any light scratches left by the first step.
Stage 3 Paint Correction
If you get to this point – it’s a good idea to do some careful research and perhaps defer to a professional. This is a three-step program, where the car’s paintjob has heavy swirl marks, marring, or other defects. The first step involves using a heavy cutting compound, with a machine polisher, and polishing pad – to really dig into that paint damage. The second step progressively decreases the grit, and finally, a light polishing compound should smooth out the damage.
Why is Paint Correction Completed?
At the source, machine polishing is intended to remove imperfections on the vehicle’s painted surface. It’s a service that is completed typically to prep a vehicle for a protective coating or film. The process is always customized based on the type of paint, surface imperfections, and the request of the customer. The detailer will polish a vehicle to remove a few individual imperfections including:
Removing fine scratches
Remove Spider Webbing or Swirl Marks
Get rid of stains left by animal waste (bird droppings and bug splatters)
Remove calcium deposits (water spots)
Damage or high / low spots by poor installation of DIY protective solutions
Removing wax, paint sealants, or ceramic coatings from paintwork
Does Paint Correction Remove the Clear Coat?
Essentially – YES. The process of polishing involves using a gritty substance called a cutting compound. When you activate the electric polisher, the polish liquid or paste is spread evenly on the vehicle’s painted surface, creating friction to cut through the clear coat of your paintwork. The polishers are made in multiple grit levels, some of them are intended to fill a scratch – while others are designed to remove the clear until the scratch is removed.
This introduces that potential risk we spoke about above.
If the scratch is deeply cut into the clear coat, it is better to consult with a professional detailer or auto body repair company prior to starting to remove the damaged. If you cut the clear too thin, then protective coatings will have a hard time bonding to the surface. Additionally, the paint will not “pop” or shine as well as you’d hope.
Is Polishing Needed Prior to Applying a Ceramic Coating?
It really depends on the condition of the car’s paint. When you apply a ceramic coating – regardless of the different formulation or application method, the coating’s job is to bond directly to the surface, harden, and provide a protective layer. When the coating hardens, it is transparent – making it act like glass. This amplifies the paint underneath.
So, a gloss finish will appear ‘more-glossy’ while a matte finish will provide more depth. Any tiny or hard to see scratches will be amplified or enhanced. Any swirl marks will stand out – not be covered up. This is one of the biggest myths about DIY ceramic coatings and other paint protection coats – that they fill scratches and improve the condition of paint.
Unfortunately, that’s only possible through paint correction. As such, if you have ANY imperfections in the vehicle’s paint surface, it’s highly recommended to have a professional detailer polish or buff the paint as part of the prep work.