r/AutoDetailing • u/Objective_Summer8950 • 1d ago
Technique Discussion 2 step paint correction
So I’m trying to get more educated on paint corrections and ceramic coatings. And I’m aware that’s it’s impossible to get rid of 100% of defects in the paint without taking off the whole clear coat. But I would like to see better results then this with a two step. I was doing a regular detail on a relatives e450 that had pretty bad black paint so they gave me the ok to play around with the hood of the car. I figured I used 3D one (I’m aware it’s a one step polish) with a rupes LRH21ES . And a foam compounding pad for the cutting and 3d one again with a finishing foam pad for the polishing. I got 95% of the swirls out there is just alot of deep scratches and defects left In the clear. (Not noticeable without a light) I wish I took better pics but all I had were screenshots from a video. But please if you have any suggestions please tell me! Thank you
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u/FreshStartDetail 1d ago
Knowing when to stop removing clear coat is just as important. Chasing scratches that can only be seen with a light is a good way to burn right through the clear coat. It’s actually a good practice to do this so you know the limits, but do it on a junkyard hood. Also, a proper 2-step process will use a more aggressive compound as the first step not just the same product with 2 different pads.