How Many Paint Correction Stages Does My Vehicle Need?
Prior to any ceramic coating application performed in the JR Detailing Studio, we perform at least one paint correction stage. Whether it is a brand new vehicle straight from the dealership or a pre-loved automobile, we refine the paintwork’s finish and shine before locking it in with a three or five-year ceramic coating.
We perform the paint correction because, in our opinion, it is counter-intuitive to apply a high gloss ceramic coating to paintwork that doesn’t have the lustre and shine that it could have. In fact, if the paintwork exhibits scratches, they will be highly visible once the ceramic coating is applied, so it is of utmost importance that prior to any coating the paint’s finish is refined with at least one polishing stage. For this reason, we remove the majority of visible marks from the paintwork so that the vehicle can look its best once coated.
We are asked all the time, “how many polishing stages does my car need?”. The level of refinement performed on the paintwork, also referred to as the ‘number of stages’, depends on various factors. So, how do we know how much polishing/correction the paintwork needs?
First of all, it’s important to clarify that we describe paint corrections according to the number of separate polishing stages that the paint will receive. For example, a vehicle requiring a heavier polish (to remove deeper imperfections), followed by a lighter polish (to refine the shine), would be referred to as a ‘two-stage’ correction.
On heavily scratched paintwork requiring two (or three) correction steps, the first ‘cutting’ stage necessitates a secondary refinement stage to remove the haze induced by the scratch removal stage - example of cutting haze from the first stage illustrated below.
Above: An example of ‘cutting haze’ caused by the first stage of heavy scratch and defect removal. This is followed with a finer polishing stage to restore the shine.
“...it is of utmost importance that prior to any coating the paint’s finish is refined with at least one polishing stage.”
Real World Example Images
When we receive a brand new car with delivery miles, we perform a single stage correction consisting of a light polish to remove any wash-induced marks and to ensure no adhesives etc are left on the paintwork prior to coating application. Even on a vehicle with less than one hundred miles on the clock, the change in appearance after a polish is impressive.
Single Stage Correction Examples
Above: Example 1 of a vehicle requiring a single-stage correction. This paintwork exhibits a small number of light scratches with little haze.
Above: Example 2 of a single stage vehicle. This illustrates the type of light marking that can be removed with a single polishing stage.
Two-Stage Correction Examples
Vehicles that are two or more years old typically require a two-stage correction, due to wear and tear from driving, washing, and normal use. Please review the following example images to get an idea of what this looks like on a vehicle. Even on vehicles requiring a two or three-stage correction, it can be difficult to see the true extent of the scratching under anything but a direct, concentrated light source. As part of our free vehicle consultation we inspect the paintwork under our specialist lighting used below.
Above: Example 1 above of a vehicle requiring a two-stage correction. This is determined by the volume and depth of the scratches.
Above: Example 2 of a panel requiring a two-stage correction. The hologram effect circled in blue typically requires two stages to remove.
Three-Stage Correction Examples
A three-stage paint correction is employed where the vehicle’s paintwork has heavy defects including scuffs, scratches, and swirls. Also, where paint repairs have been performed there are often sanding marks left behind, in both the new and original paint, that need removing via a three-stage polishing process. Please find example illustrations of paint requiring three-stage correction below.
Above: Example 1 of a vehicle requiring a three-stage correction. Heavy and widespread marking on all painted surfaces combined with a soft clear coat determined that three well-executed correction stages were required to revive the paintwork.
Above: Example 2 of a heavily marked Mercedes-Benz bonnet requiring a three-stage paint correction.
Conclusion
Whilst every vehicle we encounter is unique, they can all be characterised by how many paint correction stages they require. Whether a car is receiving a one, two, or three-stage correction, it benefits from the same attention to detail and care.
The images in this blog provide a general guide on how paint condition correlates to the number of paint correction stages required. It can prove difficult assessing paintwork in daylight, and this is why we perform our free paint consultations using specialist lighting at our dedicating detailing studio in Hyde, Manchester. It allows us to advise you with certainty and determine the best correction and coating package for your vehicle.
Please get in touch using the button below, or via phone, if you have any queries and we will be happy to assist. We offer paint correction & ceramic coating packages, linked below, to suit vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
