DA 2 STEP

A 2-stage paint correction is a comprehensive process involving two separate polishing stages (steps) using different pads and compounds. This is often described as a “cutting stage” followed by a “finishing stage.” The first stage is a heavy cut to remove the bulk of the defects, and the second stage is a polish refine to eliminate any haze from the cutting and restore full gloss.

During the Step 1 (Cutting/Buffing) of a two-step correction, we typically use a more aggressive machine/pad/compound setup. Depending on the severity of the paint defects and the hardness of the clearcoat, we may choose either a 21 or 15mm dual-action polisher for the cutting step. A dual-action (random orbital) polisher with a microfiber cutting pad or heavy foam ( LC blue ) cutting pad is another method to tackle defects with less risk of swirls but higher risk of heat build up. In either case, a specially formulated cutting compound is used – this abrasive liquid essentially shaves down the clearcoat around scratches to level them out. We work in small sections and perform a series of passes until the majority of defects in that area are removed or significantly reduced (often doing a test spot first to dial in the right pad and compound combination). This initial compounding step may leave the paint a bit hazy or dull-looking; that is normal after aggressive buffing. The aim is to level out the clearcoat enough that the scratches are gone, knowing that the next step will restore the shine.(It’s worth noting that after the cutting stage, the car often gets quite dusty from compound residue. We usually perform a quick rinse or touchless wash after the heavy cut before moving on, to remove spent compound dust from crevices. We then dry the car again. This extra step ensures no dried compound interferes with the second polishing stage.)

During Step 2 (Refinement Polishing) of a two-step correction, we switch to a finer polish and a lighter pad to refine the finish. Typically a 15mm dual-action polisher is used for this step, equipped with a medium-density foam polishing pad ( LC orange ) or a soft foam finishing pad ( LC black ). We apply a medium cut polish or finishing polish and work it over each panel to clear up the haze from the compounding stage. This polishing burnishes the paint to reveal deep gloss, eliminating any micro-scratches or haze left by the initial cut. After this stage, the paint should appear dramatically clearer, with clarity and reflectivity restored.