Does My Car Need Compounding or Polishing?

How do you know if your car needs paint correction? Well, if you notice your paint looks like it has “spiderwebs” or “swirling” like in the photo below then it will require paint correction to fix.

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

When it comes to correcting automotive paint, it generally comes down to a few options: compounding, polishing, or both.

So what’s the difference?

A compound is essentially a more aggressive type of polish. This will allow for a deeper cut of the paint but can therefore also leave behind its own small defects.

A polish has a more mild cut and can usually remove most general swirl marks from improper washing/drying but not deeper defects or scratches. This makes it a great option for when your car just needs a refresh to restore some gloss and shine.

In order to remove any defects, or “hazing”, from aggressive compounding, a secondary polishing step will be needed to leave a mirror-like finish.

After correcting your paint make sure to protect it with a quality wax, sealant, or coating!

Remember, paint is thin and can only be polished so many times. Use proper washing and drying techniques to prevent any further damage!

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

Photo by Larry Kosilla @ AMMO NYC

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