Top 7 Polishing Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Paint Correction
Paint correction can give your car a jaw-dropping finish—but only if you avoid the most common mistakes. In this post, I’ll break down the top 7 things that can go wrong while polishing and how to avoid them, so you don’t waste time or damage your paint.
1. Skipping the Wash and Decon Step
If you don’t fully wash and decontaminate your paint before polishing, you’re grinding dirt into the surface—creating new scratches. Always use The Super Soaper and clay your paint first.
2. Using the Wrong Pad or Product
Not all pads are created equal. A heavy cut pad will do more correction, while a soft finishing pad will refine. Picture Perfect Polish is pad-dependent, so you can control the cut based on what your paint needs.
3. Applying Too Much Pressure
Let the machine do the work. Pressing down hard just creates heat and friction—risking holograms, marring, or burned edges. Stay light and consistent.
4. Polishing Too Fast
Slow, overlapping passes give your polish time to work. If you move too fast, you’re just spreading product around without correcting anything.
5. Not Cleaning Your Pad
Polish residue builds up fast. If you don’t clean your pad every few sections, it clogs and starts smearing or dusting. Use a pad brush or compressed air to refresh it.
6. Using Too Much Product
More isn’t better. Overloading the pad makes a mess and leads to hazing. Just 3–4 small drops of polish is enough per section. Less is more.
7. Forgetting to Protect After Polishing
Polishing removes protection—so you need to seal the surface afterward. Use Tough As Shell or The Gloss Boss to lock in that shine and protect your work.
Recommended Products
- Picture Perfect Polish
- The Super Soaper
- Orange Wash Microfiber Towel
- Softer Than Soft Microfiber Towel
- Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray
- The Gloss Boss
Related Posts
- The Ultimate Paint Correction Guide
- One-Step vs Multi-Step Correction
- Rotary vs Dual Action Polisher
Want pro results without frustration? Avoid these mistakes, keep your technique clean, and use high-quality products like Picture Perfect Polish. It’s designed to deliver great results—even if you’re just getting started.
