If you want to elevate your detailing work, understanding paint correction and protection is key. Paint correction involves removing scratches by leveling the clear coat—the transparent layer of paint above the vehicle’s colored paint.
Every vehicle and owner has different needs. Before starting, detailers should learn what causes paint defects and the different types of defects, to effectively correct and protect the vehicle’s surface.
Key Considerations for Paint Correction
Many factors contribute to the appearance of a vehicle’s paint – from manufacturing, to how the owner cares for it, to environmental factors.
Paint color
The typical debris, dust, and pollen that vehicles will encounter on the road can be more or less visible depending on the color of the paint. Light colored vehicles will tend to show dust and imperfections, while black cars show even the slightest bit of dust and any defects are easier to see due to how black paint reflects light. Colors like gold and silver, or colors containing lots of metallic make imperfections less noticeable as well.
Clear coat
Not all clear coats are created equal.
Some clear coats are harder, making it less prone to scratching. However, any defects will be much harder to remove once they are there. On the other hand, softer clear coats can be easier to correct, but they’ll also accumulate scratches and swirls much easier.
Generally, softer clear coats can be found on Asian imports, while clear coat tends to be harder on German vehicles. However, this is a generalization, and even two of the same vehicle models can have vastly different paint hardness due to manufacturing.
Vehicle usage
How a vehicle is used, and ultimately what it’s exposed to, will naturally impact the condition of the paint. Garage-kept vehicles that only get taken out on a sunny day will require a lot less clean-up than a vehicle used for off-roading or daily driving.
Vehicles used all year round in multiple climates will be exposed to several environmental factors such as water spotting from rain or road salt in winter months.
Perfecting the surface: paint correction
Because every vehicle is made and used differently, the paint correction process will be a little different for each. Doing a test section before diving into your paint correction is recommended to determine what will work best for the job at hand.
Some vehicles will only need very light correction before waxing or sealing, and others will take multiple steps to correct. You will always follow aggressive cutting with polishing to remove buffer swirls and micro-marring left behind from the cutting/compounding step.
Use this chart to find what products and accessories you’ll need for each step of paint correction.
Task |
Products |
Accessories |
Equipment |
Clay to remove contaminants |
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Heavy compounding for major defects |
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Light compounding for medium defects |
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Minor correction; removing swirls |
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Protection |
By finding the right combination of compound, pad, and polisher, you can remove scratches and swirls with ease. Compounds can also be applied by hand using a microfiber towel or applicator pad, but it will be more difficult to achieve the same cut or uniform finish.
Paint correction should always be followed by adding a layer of wax, sealant, or ceramic coating for protection. The process of smoothing defects out of the clear coat will strip any protection, so it’s important to seal in your work with your choice of protection.
Types of paint protection
Once polished, the clear coat needs to be protected against potential defects. There are several options available to meet your customer’s needs and budget.
Express detail sprays
Express detail sprays are simply sprayed on and wiped with a microfiber towel. These save time for detailers, allowing them to offer protection to their customers at a low cost.
Final Touch Ultra is a wax-based spray, and Gloss & Glide uses silica and other polymers to provide even longer-lasting protection. Both of these express detail sprays are also great for using in between washes or details.
Waxes
Carnauba-based paste waxes are an old-school favorite. Our Cherry Wet Wax is a liquid wax that combines traditional carnauba with synthetic polymers for a boost in strength. Protection time with this product is roughly 3-6 months.
Wax products can be applied to the paint by hand using microfiber or with a finishing pad on a polisher. Once it dries and becomes hazy, it gets buffed off with a towel.
Polymer-based sealants
Polymer sealants go on the same as liquid waxes, so there’s no loss in convenience or ease of application. Unlike carnauba wax, however, these are completely man-made, and they’re specially formulated to last even longer.
Our STS 3000 paint sealant protects paint for 6-12 months. With that much protection, you save hours that would have been spent re-applying wax.
Two-in-one polishes and sealants like our Blue Diamond allow you to save time by removing swirls and light scratches and adding a protective layer at the same time.
Ceramic coatings
Installing a ceramic coating requires the most care and technique when it comes to paint protection, but the payoff is well worth it. Our line of Jade Ceramics can give your vehicle protection anywhere from one year with the Jade Ruby spray coating up to seven years with the Jade Obsidian graphene coating.
Nailing the paint correction step is crucial before installing ceramic coatings, as the condition of the paint will be locked beneath it. You will also need to first make sure that the surface is free from any oils or dust left behind with a prep spray like Wipe Clean.
Installing the ceramic coating is as simple as wiping it on one panel at a time, waiting for it to flash, and buffing it off, being mindful to avoid high spots and not to let it set for too long.
Choosing the right fit
The best fit will be different for every vehicle and customer.
While ceramic coatings offer the longest-lasting protection, they aren’t a great fit for everyone. Vehicles with ceramic coatings will require less maintenance and easier maintenance, however, improper washing will lead to poor performance and appearance from the ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings perform best when washed regularly with ceramic-based soaps like Detox, and automatic car washes are not recommended.
Waxes and express detail sprays are great cost-effective options for vehicle owners who want to do the work themselves and for those who go to a professional detailer. Polymer sealants can cost more, but they don’t require much more work while lasting twice as long as a carnauba wax.
The right fit for your vehicle will depend on how much time and money you’re willing to invest and the maintenance work you’re willing to put in.
How to Maintain the Vehicle’s Paint
Paint correction shouldn’t have to be performed often; regularly leveling down the clear coat isn’t the best for the vehicle in the long run. Instead, it’s important to keep the paint protected to prevent new defects that would need to be corrected.
Waxes, sealants, and ceramic coatings add a protective layer over the clear coat and have hydrophobic properties that help wick away water and other substances that could eat into the paint if allowed to set.
It’s important to remember when it’s time to re-apply. A lapse in protection allows water spots, staining, and even sun damage to affect the paint. Carnauba wax-based products need to be reapplied the most often because of their relatively short lifespan.
Automatic car washes often cause swirl marks because the brushes trap dirt from other vehicles and mar the paint. Brushless automatic washes utilize extra harsh cleaning chemicals to remove dirt without physically touching the surface, which will in turn remove wax and sealant as well. Handwashing is the best way to keep the paint swirl-free, as you can ensure that your mitts and towels are free of debris.
Black Cherry Car Wash Soap contains polymers that’ll help keep your vehicle shiny and add a tiny bit of protection between every wax or sealant application.
With proper maintenance, your vehicle will be sparkling for years to come.
FAQs
- How do you protect paint for off-road vehicles?
- While out tackling the elements, off-road vehicles can take on all manners of scratches, chips in the paint, and stains from sap or similar substances. Ceramic coatings add a tough layer of protection, though the installation and maintenance may not make it accessible to everyone. Learn more by watching our video here.
- How do you remove paint overspray from windshields, paint, or wheels?
- Adhesive Remover is our number one overspray remover. Glass can handle more aggressive scrubbing compared to plastic or clear coat. Use steel wool for glass or chrome, and a microfiber towel for all other exterior surfaces. Watch how to remove paint from glass here.
- Does the process change for different colored vehicles, like black vs white cars?
- Paint care and maintenance are the same regardless of color. However, road grime and dirt are more apparent on black and white cars, while excessive scrubbing on darker-colored vehicles will be more apparent and visible afterward. Check out our video where the DK team discusses these differences.