Correction.

What this lane covers

Correction is the lane where you remove defects from the clear coat — swirl marks, oxidation, sanding haze, fine scratches, water etching, holograms. It's also where Protection prep happens: a properly polished panel is the only surface that holds a ceramic coating long-term.

The chemistry runs on a spectrum from aggressive cut to finishing polish:

• Cutting compounds — abrasive, fast-correcting, for heavy defect removal. Leaves haze that needs to be polished out.
• One-step / all-in-one — moderate cut + finishing polish in one product. Good for mobile detailers who can't carry four bottles.
• Finishing polishes — minimal cut, refines the gloss, removes the haze a compound leaves behind.
• Pads — foam (different densities), microfiber, wool. Aggression of the cut depends on pad-and-compound combo, not just compound alone.
• Prep wipes — panel cleaners and IPA-based residue removers used before applying a coating.

How to pick

Soft paint (most Japanese, some German): a one-step on a finishing pad often does the whole job. Skip the compound.

Hard clear (most American, BMW): start with compound + cutting pad, finish with polish + finishing pad.

Mobile, single-pass jobs: one-step on a polishing pad. Get the 80% finish, move on.

Show car / ceramic prep: compound + polish + IPA wipe + inspection light. Don't shortcut here.

Shop note

Always test on a small panel first. Pad-and-product combos behave differently across paint systems, and what works on a black truck won't necessarily work on a pearl white sedan. Inspect under proper lighting (LED inspection light or sun) before declaring the panel done.

Common items quoted in this lane

• Cutting compounds (heavy and medium cut)
• Finishing polishes
• One-step / all-in-one polishes
• Foam pad sets (cutting, polishing, finishing)
• Microfiber correction pads
• IPA panel-prep wipes
• Inspection lights and tape