Paint Correction vs. Ceramic Coating – Which Comes First?
Polish first or coat first? Here’s how these two steps work together—and why one always comes before the other.
Paint Correction = Restore
Paint correction is the process of removing defects—swirl marks, scratches, haze, oxidation, and water spots. It’s all about leveling the clear coat so your paint looks smooth, clean, and reflective.
This is done using a polish like Picture Perfect Polish along with a correction pad that matches your paint’s condition.
Ceramic Coating = Protect
Ceramic coating is a layer of protection you apply after the paint correction is complete. It bonds to your clear coat, making the surface slick, glossy, and hydrophobic (water-repelling).
A ceramic spray like Tough As Shell adds months of protection and keeps your corrected paint looking better for longer.
Why Correction Comes First
- You don’t want to lock in swirls or scratches
- Coatings bond better to defect-free paint
- The gloss will look deeper and cleaner after correction
If you ceramic coat before correcting the paint, you’re just sealing in all the junk you wanted to remove.
What If You Skip Correction?
If your paint is in amazing shape already (like on a brand-new car), you might be able to go straight to coating—but only if there are zero visible defects and the surface is clean and decontaminated.
Even new cars often need light polishing. For that, a finishing pad and Picture Perfect Polish are perfect.
The Perfect Combo for Beginners
Here’s a simple sequence that works for most DIY detailers:
- Wash with The Super Soaper
- Clay bar or clay mitt the paint
- Polish with Picture Perfect Polish and correct with the Burgundy Pad
- Wipe down with isopropyl alcohol or panel prep
- Apply Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray
Final Thoughts
Paint correction and ceramic coating go hand-in-hand—but always in that order. Restore the paint first, then protect it so it stays looking perfect.
Want an easy way to do both? Use Picture Perfect Polish to correct and Tough As Shell to protect. That combo has helped thousands of daily drivers get real results at home.
