The Quick Answer Polishing and compounding are both methods of correcting a car’s paint by removing a layer of clear coat. Compounding removes scratches from the paint more quickly whilst, polishing refines the finish by cutting the paint slowly.
What is paint correction and how does it work?
What Is Paint Correction? Paint correction is the general name given to any service that removes paint defects like stone chips, chemical etching, bonded contamination, fine scratches, swirl marks, holograms, and hazing.
Should I use a Polish or a compound to remove paint?
Sure, you can cut away the same amount of paint with both a polish and a compound, however, it would take a lot longer with a polish. On the other hand, say you had a car with very minor “swirl marks”, and you just wanted to give the paint a deeper level of gloss.
How many polishing stages does it take to correct paint sensitivity?
One thing to note is that paint sensitivity varies and the amount of correction each stage of polishing can achieve can greatly vary. For example, if the much more resistant paint on a Mercedes looked as our before section here, it may trick you into believing that you can easily correct it to near perfect in just 2 or 3 polishing stages.
What is the difference between AIO Polish and one step paint correction?
An All-in-one polish (AIO) and a one step paint correction might sound like the same thing, but they’re not. Both involve machine polishing your paint. The products used, technique applied and time spent are very different though. An AIO polish is exactly what it sounds like – it includes both correction and protection in one single product.
Is polishing a car paint correction?
Paint correction is the process of removing minor scratches and imperfections found in the vehicles clear coat. Using an electric polisher, a microfiber buffing pad, and a special cutting compound, the detailer or you will cut into the clear coat of a vehicle's paint till the scratches are leveled or removed.
Does paint correction fix scratches?
A professional paint correction treatment will get rid of nasty imperfections and leave your car looking new. Not only will it remove scratches and marring, but a paint correction can also restore your car's clear coat, which gives your car that perfect shine.
What exactly is paint correction?
Paint correction is the mechanical leveling of clear coat or paint (clear coat is unpigmented paint, clear) to a point where all the paint is free of swirl marks and light scratches. Swirl marks are essentially a “V” cut/slice in the paint where light bounces around in the valley of the scratch and exits.
Does paint correction damage paint?
If someone goes too hard on paint correction it can cause damage or burn through the clear coat. Even if someone does not burn through the clear coat but cuts it thin then it increase the chances of future clear coat failure.
Is a paint correction worth it?
If you care about the appearance and longevity of your vehicle, having a paint correction done is absolutely worth it. There is no better way to make your car stand out from the crowd and get some serious attention – even from people with zero knowledge of cars.
Is paint correction worth it on a new car?
During a new car prep, the vehicle goes through both a comprehensive compounding and polishing stage to remove all sanding marks, holograms, and scratches. After a thorough paint correction to remove all the defects, the paint is looking better than “new.”
How much does it cost for paint correction?
How Much Does Paint Correction Cost? Detailers who offer paint correction—and do it well— can reap big rewards. The average paint correction cost starts at $500, and it can cost upwards of $2,500, depending on the vehicle's condition.
What is a 3 stage paint correction?
The 3-stage paint correction is a time-tried and tested method of removing defects from a painted surfaces. The 3 stages ensures efficient and thorough defect removal, and removes the chance of hologramming (machine induced swirl marks). The 3 stages refer to 3 separate stages of paint machining.
How often should you do paint correction?
The Quick AnswerDetailing ProcessHow Often It Should Be PerformedExterior decontaminationEvery 6-12 monthsApply paint protectionEvery 6-12 monthsApply alloy and glass sealantEvery 6-12 monthsPaint correction (polish or compound)Only when necessary4 more rows
How long does paint correction last?
If the car is mostly for show, a good paint correction job could last years. If the car is used everyday in mild to semi-mild conditions then a paint correction job could only last 6 months. Essentially, there is no exact time line.
Can paint correction fix orange peel?
Because correction is an abrasive process in which you are removing microns of clear coat, in no way does this restore the finish to factory quality or thickness. If you want orange peel gone for good and your finish restored to factory-like condition (with a full clear coat), the area will have to be repainted.
Does paint correction include rock chips?
Not every problem with your vehicle's paint job can be fixed with a paint correction. It won't fix dents or stone chips. It won't change the color of your car's body panels to fix paintwork that doesn't match.
How to fix scratches on paint?
For the most part, a proper paint correction is done in 2 steps: Compounding and polishing. The third step (protection) is usually left out of the count because it’s always assumed.
What is AIO polish?
An AIO polish is exactly what it sounds like – it includes both correction and protection in one single product. A one step paint correction actually requires two steps: A single polishing step followed by adding protection. This is what causes the confusion. A bit about paint correction in general:
What is one step correction?
A one step correction is simply the 2nd step (polishing) by itself. Sometimes the paint isn’t in bad enough condition to require compounding, or it’s just not in the budget. Many light swirl marks and minor scratches can be removed by paying a bit more attention with a finishing polish.
Is polishing waxing?
Polishing is NOT waxing. For some reason, this old-school terminology still haunts us to this day and adds to the confusion. This is the second step of a paint correction also known as the refinement stage. All you’re doing here is finely polishing out the remaining haze left from the previous compounding step.
The Results
The above image shows the before condition. As you can see, it has many swirl marks with some deeper scuffs in the upper left corner of this section.
16 comments on Different Levels of Paint Correction
It is nice to see someone put together a multi step diagram of the difference in level of correction and show that it can be done in different levels to a customer. This allowing for different pricing options. Well said and put together!
Why do you need paint correction on a car?
Paint correction aims to flatten the clear coat so that it reflects light more evenly, causing it to look glossier. It’s that simple. A car’s clear coat is very rarely perfectly flat, even on a brand new car.
Which is more aggressive, compound or polish?
Compounding is more aggressive, since it cuts the paint faster. This means it is more capable of removing more of the clear coat in a short space of time. Polishing is less aggressive and a milder approach. It would take much longer to cut away the same amount of clear coat with a polish, than with a compound.
What is the difference between buffing and polishing?
What’s the difference between buffing and polishing? Buffing is used to apply products like waxes and sealants to protect the clear coat. Polishing is the process used to describe the removal of a layer of the cleat coat to remove scratches and imperfections. Buffing does not remove any clear coat.
Why is my paint dull?
Often improper wash technique is the main culprit for scratches and swirl marks which cause unevenness in the paint, making it look duller. To solve this issue, the damaged layer of clear coat must be “cut away”, to reveal a fresh, flat layer giving the paint a glossier and shinier appearance.
What is compounding and polishing?
Polishing and compounding are both methods of correcting a car’s paint by removing a layer of clear coat. Compounding removes scratches from the paint more quickly whilst, polishing refines the finish by cutting the paint slowly. Compounding is often followed by polishing to correct the paint fully.
What type of pad is used to remove clear coat?
There are two main types of pads: foam and microfiber. Microfiber pads are typically more aggressive and cut the paint faster. So it may in some cases be possible to remove the same level of clear coat using a microfiber pad and a polish, as when using a foam pad and a compound.
What is a rubbing compound?
A rubbing compound another term for a traditional “compound”, it cuts the paint quickly. A polishing compound is the same as a “polish” and cuts the paint more slowly. From here on, I’ll just be using the terms “polish” and “compound” to keep things simple.
How long does it take for paint to dry?
Depending on the severity, start with the primer or color coat. Make sure it’s sufficiently dry before applying the next layer. Give each layer a minimum of 24 hours to dry and set, using fine sandpaper to test - if the paint gums up, it’s still too soft.
How to remove scratches from stone?
To remove a stone chip or deep scratch, you have to sand the area and level the paint entirely. Use fine sandpaper (1,000-3,000-grit) and a sanding block, working with short strokes and no pressure.
How long does it take to detail a car?
Here’s how long it takes to detail your car in general. You can spend 5 or 50 hours detailing your paint, depending on whether you're touching up a daily driver or a concourse vehicle. Once you get past a certain point, any improvement requires immense time and effort to achieve.