Do You Need to Polish Before Ceramic Coating?


Jimbo Balaam on

See why polishing often maximizes gloss and coating longevity.

Do You Need to Polish Before Ceramic Coating?


Do You Need to Polish Before Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coatings are one of the best ways to protect your paint, but many wonder: do you really need to polish first? The answer depends on your goals for gloss, durability, and overall results. Let’s break it down.

Why Polishing Matters Before Coating

Polishing removes swirls, scratches, and oxidation while restoring clarity and gloss. Since ceramic coatings lock in the condition of the paint, applying a coating over unpolished paint means sealing in imperfections.

Benefits of Polishing First

  • Max Gloss – Polishing brings out the deepest shine before the coating locks it in.
  • Better Bonding – A polished, contaminant-free surface allows the coating to bond more effectively.
  • Longer Lasting Protection – Stronger bonding means coatings last closer to their advertised durability.

When You Might Skip Polishing

If your paint is brand new, flawless, or already corrected, you can go straight to coating after proper decontamination (wash + clay). But for most cars, even new ones, polishing improves results dramatically.

Polish Before You Protect

Use Picture Perfect Polish before applying ceramic sprays like Tough As Shell for maximum gloss and durability.

Buy Picture Perfect Polish Buy Tough As Shell

Step-by-Step: Polishing Before Ceramic Coating

  1. Wash with The Super Soaper to remove dirt and grime.
  2. Clay the paint to remove bonded contaminants.
  3. Polish using Picture Perfect Polish to restore gloss and clarity.
  4. Wipe down with an IPA solution to remove polishing oils.
  5. Apply ceramic spray or coating for long-lasting protection.

Polish vs. No Polish Results

Condition With Polish Without Polish
Gloss High (deep, reflective shine) Moderate (locks in dullness)
Bonding Strong (long-lasting) Weaker (shorter durability)
Defects Corrected before sealing Sealed in permanently

Pro Tip

Even if you don’t have machine polishing skills, a one-step product like Picture Perfect Polish paired with the right pad can dramatically improve results before coating.

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