Why Paint Correction Before Ceramic Coating?

Why some companies carry out paint correction before applying a ceramic coating seems to be a burning question we are commonly asked. So let’s talk about it. First we need to understand what paint correction is. Often confused with buffing, paint correction is a more fine tuned process that requires immense time, labor, and skill. A process that utilizes paint measurements, test spots, specific pad, compound, and polish combinations, and advanced machine polishing techniques to remove oxidation (sun damage), swirl marks, scratches, and other blemishes from your vehicle’s clear coat. This in turn restores a like-new appearance to your vehicle by renewing the shine, gloss, reflection, and clarity of your paint. It is in fact the paint correction process that determines how much of an improvement a ceramic coating will have on your vehicle’s paint.

Paint correction is NOT REQUIRED to apply a ceramic coating, but is still recommended for best results. We do not need a swirl or scratch free paint job to apply a ceramic coating, but we do need a contaminant free surface for maximal bonding. Paint correction acts as a final decontamination step to “clean the clear coat” and guarantee proper bonding with the ceramic coating.

Ceramic coatings are known to add and maintain an unmatched level of gloss and shine, but they DO NOT hide or cover up the paint defects listed previously. So the question you need to ask yourself is this: What are you hoping to get out of having your vehicle ceramic coated? Is it the long-term protection, added shine, ease of maintenance, no more waxing, or all of the above that interests you? The condition of your vehicle’s paint, how you maintain (wash) your vehicle, and your goals for the end result of a ceramic coating service will determine if paint correction before ceramic coating will benefit your vehicle over the long-term…