Many regard the 3 stages of auto paint correction to be sacred, as it is a time-tested approach that has been used to remove paint surface defects for decades. Not only does it guarantee thorough and efficient removal, but will also eliminate the likelihood of hologramming, which is a type of swirl mark that is machine induced.

Preliminary Phase: Prepping

The paint must be cleansed prior to performing actual paint correction. This is because any contamination which is left behind can create unattractive swirl marks while buffing. For proper cleaning, the detailer will apply a specialty chemical so that debris and dirt will be stripped loose from the paint through foam cannon. Next, the detailer will carefully perform a dual bucket wash by hand.

Your vehicle will then be purged using compressed air and subsequently dried using a quality microfiber towel. The contamination level will then be assessed and a compatible clay bar grade will be applied accordingly. The purpose of the clay bar is the removal of stubborn contaminants which have adhered to the paint. Finally, your vehicle will be rewashed then dried and purged.

Stage One: Removing Heavier Defects

Two machine types are used during this phase, a two-action polisher or a rotary polisher. The rotary polishers will be utilized to eliminate heavier defects like swirl marks or deeper scratches. Two action polishers are preferred for the removal of mild or moderate defects. Both machines will be paired with wool pads or heavier cut foam.

The detailer will begin by working on a smaller area, and will then monitor paint clarity improvement. Once a desirable result has been achieved, the rest of the vehicle will be done, section by section. Because vehicle surfaces tend to become dusty during this step, they must subsequently be washed using the touchless method, then dried and purged.

Stage Two: Refining the Paint

During this phase, the goal is to perfect the vehicle’s paint. This will be accomplished via a two-action polisher that has been combined with a moderate cut pad and polish or compound. As before, the detailer will begin with a smaller section to confirm the correct compound selection and pad before doing the rest of the surface. If your vehicle collects dust in the process, it will be washed again.

Stage Three: Jeweling or Finalized Polishing

During this step, the vehicle’s paint will be jeweled or polished. The purpose of doing this is to enhance the paint’s clarity and gloss. The detailer will apply a finished foam pad with accompanying fine polish, as well as the two action polisher, and proceed to work on it panel by panel. Once the finalized polish has been completed, they will inspect the vehicle’s paint again, ensuring that no polished residue is present.

Final Phase: Protection

At this point, the detailer will apply protection to the paint which has just been freshly corrected. This might be a thirty-day sealant or long-term ceramic coating. Either way, the vehicle’s paint will be protected from UV light as well as other environmental hazards.