What’s The Difference Between Paint Polishing and Correction?
When it comes to getting work done on your car’s paint, there are a lot of terms that get thrown around and used interchangeably. The terms, “buffing,” “polishing,” “correction,” “waxing,” and more are all commonly used yet frequently misunderstood. The majority of these terms have to do with the use of a specific detailing tool known as a polisher, yet it is used for much more than polishing. So, if you’re confused about what all of these terms mean, we’ve got you covered. We’ll define each of these, and help point you in the right direction for any future work you may need done!
What is a Paint Correction?
Most of these terms fall under the same umbrella of being a paint correction. A paint correction is any service designed to improve the look of the paint by removing a very small layer of clear coat. The reason behind this is that many scratches and imperfections sit at only the top layer of clear coat, and by removing this layer, the scratches go away. For anyone worried about getting rid of all of the clear coat on their car–don’t worry. A paint correction only removes a few microns of clear coat, and it takes quite a lot to burn through it all!
A paint correction can be classified by the number of steps in the correction–typically one or two. For a one-step correction, also known as an all-in-one, a medium amount of clear is removed and provides a decent, not perfect, level of gloss on the paint. A one-step is more common on new, less damaged vehicles, or on vehicles that are running low on available clear coat to go through. A two-step correction is more or less industry standard, being divided into two parts: A “cut” and a “polish.” For the first step, the cutting process involves, well, cutting through the scratches in the paint’s finish. Varying levels of “cut” can be achieved depending on the pad, compound, and polisher used, which is an entire blog post in and of itself. But, the main point is that a cut is designed to remove as many scratches, holograms, and swirl marks as possible, while also keeping a good layer of clear coat for the future. As for the second step, the polishing stage is designed not to remove scratches, but to even out the paint and enhance the gloss of it. Without a polish, the paint will look very uneven and dull, which is why the second step is needed.
What is Paint Polishing?
Other than being a term for the second step of a two-step correction, polishing is a general term for any service that is designed to improve the look and gloss of the paint rather than remove any scratches and swirls. Typically for this service, a Dual-Action Polisher will be used, as well as a polishing pad and, of course, the polish liquid. A polishing service is often cheaper than a paint correction, as it is quicker and requires less attention to detail, as the focus is not on removing imperfections, but on improving shininess and gloss.
What is a Buffing Service?
It depends on the business! The term “buffing” is just a general term, and doesn’t describe a certain service. So, it is very important to find out the exact details as to what exactly the service entails to make sure that you don’t get ripped off.
While paint corrections and paint polishing have some overlap, they differ in that a paint correction is designed to both remove scratches and swirl marks and improve gloss, while a polishing is only meant to improve the gloss and shine of the paint. Polishing is also the name for the second step of a two-step paint correction, but its purpose is the same. And, paint buffing is simply a general term that doesn’t provide any specifics.
And that’s it! Looking to keep your car and wallet safe? Learning more about car detailing is the way to do it, and the rest of our blog is jam-packed with information to make that happen. And, if you live on the South Shore or Cape Cod in MA, we’ve got good news–we offer paint correction and ceramic coating services near you! Sounds interesting? Contact us here, and we’ll reach out shortly!
