Ceramic coatings offer impressive durability, gloss, and chemical resistance, but even seasoned professionals can run into high spots during or after application. These raised or uneven areas occur when excess coating isn’t leveled properly or cures too quickly, leaving behind unsightly streaks, smudges, or blobs.
Fortunately, high spots are correctable. With the right lighting, polishing tools, and technique, you can restore a flawless finish without compromising the integrity of the coating. This guide walks through how to identify, fix, and prevent high spots, using proven methods trusted by professional detailers.
What Are High Spots, and Why Do They Happen?
High spots form when a ceramic coating cures unevenly. You’ll typically spot them as:
- Dark streaks or shiny smears in certain light
- Sticky or slick patches that don’t match the surrounding area
- Blotchy gloss inconsistencies, especially on dark vehicles
They’re most often caused by:
- Applying too much product
- Mis-calculating flash time
- Working in high humidity or heat
- Failing to level the coating evenly during installation
- Leveling the product onto adjacent panels and not realizing
Even well-trained techs can create a high spot, especially on complex panels, edges, or in poor lighting. That’s why early inspection and correction are key to maintaining professional results.
Tools & Lighting to Inspect for High Spots
Before correcting anything, you need to accurately locate and assess high spots. Here’s what pros rely on:
Lighting:
- LED swirl finder lights or panel inspection lights
- Sunlight can help, and multiple lighting environments are beneficial when inspecting
Tools:
- Ceramic coating correction polish that is safe for coatings
- Microfiber towels (clean, coating-safe)
- Dual-action polisher with soft foam finishing pad (worst case)
You’ll also want extra ceramic coating on hand in case you need to reapply after aggressive correction.
Step-by-Step: How to Fix High Spots in Ceramic Coatings
Step 1: Inspect the Surface Under Proper Lighting
Scan the entire panel under inspection lights at multiple angles. Mark or mentally note each high spot.
Step 3: Choose the Right Pad and Correction Polish
Attach a soft foam polishing pad to your dual-action polisher. Apply a small amount of ceramic coating correction polish onto the pad. The goal is to gently level the high spots without stripping the coating entirely. Choosing the right polish is crucial; opt for a product specifically designed for ceramic coatings, as these will be formulated to work effectively without compromising the integrity of the coating. Detail King’s Caliber PLUS Silica Polish is the perfect solution.
Experiment with hand polishing, and if necessary, use a light polishing pad depending on the severity of the high spots and how long the coating has had to cure.
Step 4: Gently Polish the High Spot
Try polishing by hand with a microfiber towel, and if that doesn’t work, use a polisher at low speed using overlapping passes and light pressure. Keep the polisher moving to avoid heat buildup. After 2–3 passes, wipe with a microfiber and check your progress.
If the spot remains:
- Try a firmer pad or slightly more aggressive polish
- Polish in tighter, more focused zones
Your goal is to level the area without stripping the entire coating layer; however, if a more aggressive pad is needed, or if you need to step up to a compound to remove the high spot, it will be best to reapply ceramic coating afterwards.
Step 5: Final Surface Prep and Inspection
Wipe down the corrected area with a panel prep spray to ensure that no polish residue is left behind. Reinspect under LED lighting.
No smears or sticky texture? You’re done.
Still streaking or gloss inconsistency? Continue correction and increase aggressiveness in small increments.
Step 6: Reapply Ceramic Coating if Needed
If the correction removed too much of the coating, reapply a thin, even layer just to the affected area. Use the same product originally applied, and follow all recommended flash and cure times.
How to Avoid High Spots in the First Place
Prevention is always better than correction. When applying ceramic coatings, keep these tips in mind to avoid high spots:
- Apply thin, even layers — never over-saturate your applicator
- Use controlled lighting and indoor conditions (avoid high humidity)
- Work in small sections (2’x2’ or less)
- Level with clean microfiber towels — use a secondary towel for final leveling
- Stick to recommended flash times for the specific coating used
Consider building a training checklist for new hires that includes:
- Wipe technique
- Proper lighting environment
- Cure time awareness
- Product-specific behavior (e.g., faster flashing in warm temps)
- Inspection process post-application
Top Product Picks for High Spot Correction
When dealing with ceramic coating high spots, choose tools designed for the job:
- Detail King’s Caliber Polish — mild cut, safe for most coatings
- Wipe Clean Surface Prep Spray — removes oils, residues, and polishing haze
- Soft foam finishing pads — great for leveling without excessive cut
- DA polishers with speed control — helps you fine-tune correction in delicate areas
For reapplication: Use the same ceramic coating brand/type used originally (e.g., Jade Sapphire, Jade Emerald, Jade Obsidian, etc.) for compatibility and bonding.
Final Thoughts: Fix High Spots with Confidence
High spots don’t mean your coating is ruined; they’re just a sign that some product wasn’t properly leveled before it cured. With the right tools and techniques, you can identify, correct, and restore a flawless finish that meets your professional standards.
Build high-spot correction into your training SOPs, document common causes, and always inspect under proper lighting. And when in doubt, polish gently and reapply accordingly. For the tools and ceramic systems trusted by professional detailers, explore Detail King’s full lineup of ceramic coatings, polishers, pads, and surface prep solutions.