[jyc093]

So I got my car ceramic coated today with Opti-Coat Pro. The detailer that did my car said my car was full of swirls. To my untrained eyes, they didn't look that bad but he suggested to go for a three staged polishing to remove the swirls for an impeccable result. Admittedly, I did a poor job with my first ever car wash (car is new) so I took his words for it and paid for the three staged polishing. Since polishing basically is removing the clear coat of the car, I'm wondering whether three staged polishing would take too much off leaving it too thin?

[atam1980]

Originally Posted by jyc093

So I got my car ceramic coated today with Opti-Coat Pro. The detailer that did my car said my car was full of swirls. To my untrained eyes, they didn't look that bad but he suggested to go for a three staged polishing to remove the swirls for an impeccable result. Admittedly, I did a poor job with my first ever car wash (car is new) so I took his words for it and paid for the three staged polishing. Since polishing basically is removing the clear coat of the car, I'm wondering whether three staged polishing would take too much off leaving it too thin?

Why did he do 3 stages and what did it consist of? Your paint had to have been pretty bad to need that much work. You can usually take care of light swirls in one stage.

[Billfitz]

Your car is new and needed three stage polishing? A single washing wouldn't be cause for that, unless you used steel wool.

[jyc093]

He said that there were swirls everywhere. IMO he was right but I didn't think they were that deep. I washed my car at a fuel station where they supplied pressure washer and foam etc... The swirls probably caused by sponge and incorrect drying or even from previous wash by the dealer. Either way, the outcome from the polishing/coating looks amazing.

[John in VA]

It is surprising how bad a new car finish can be when delivered to the dealer. The color of the paint & degree of care the car received pre-delivery will affect how much work needs to be performed to make it "right."

[jyc093]

Originally Posted by John in VA

It is surprising how bad a new car finish can be when delivered to the dealer. The color of the paint & degree of care the car received pre-delivery will affect how much work needs to be performed to make it "right."

Agreed, I gave the detailer the benefit of the doubt as to whether it was necessary or not. Either way, its a one off thing and will last me for awhile. He told me he only took of 2 micron when doing 3 stage polishing (not sure what it really entails) and added 2 coat of opticoat pro + (2micron each layer) so my paint is 2micron thicker than before. There is really no way to check yourself but have faith in the professional haha.

[MaximusJ]

I polished my 2006 every spring and fall from 2010 until 2017 and it still had LOTS of clear coat. Just need to cut harder where you really need a correction a just light buffing when its just swirls. My car was black, so swirls were a seasonal thing for me; even with a proper foam gun / 2 bucket wash method. The harder you have to polish, the more clear coat you're cutting. But properly done with the right tools and products, this is not something you should be concerned about.

[MaximusJ]

And by 3 stages, he means clay bar / polish / sealant; but also known as a 3 step method.

[Billfitz]

It could also mean compounding with grade 400-800, then grade 2000-3500, then polishing prior to coating or sealing.

[atam1980]

Originally Posted by jyc093

Agreed, I gave the detailer the benefit of the doubt as to whether it was necessary or not. Either way, its a one off thing and will last me for awhile. He told me he only took of 2 micron when doing 3 stage polishing (not sure what it really entails) and added 2 coat of opticoat pro + (2micron each layer) so my paint is 2micron thicker than before. There is really no way to check yourself but have faith in the professional haha.

I wouldn't worry about taking too much clear coat off unless the three stages were wet-sand the entire car, compound, polish - which I can guarantee he didn't. Some people compound and polish their car semi-anually and it's fine.

Ceramic coatings don't make your paint thicker. Paint makes your paint thicker. The ceramic is just a coating atop your paint. It'll mar just like paint does.

[jyc093]

Originally Posted by atam1980

Ceramic coatings don't make your paint thicker. Paint makes your paint thicker. The ceramic is just a coating atop your paint. It'll mar just like paint does.

Thanks for correcting me, I guess the coating of the car would be thicker since the ceramic coat is not atop of the clear coat?

[X2 Monstah]

Hey, as long as it looks good and you're happy with it, I wouldn't worry about it needing the 3 stage correction. May not have needed it, but it's the end result that counts.

[jyc093]

Originally Posted by BSM F30

Hey, as long as it looks good and you're happy with it, I wouldn't worry about it needing the 3 stage correction. May not have needed it, but it's the end result that counts.

Workmanship was good but they stuffed up my door hahah ... I'm still waiting for BMW to see whether they can fix it under warranty ...

[435MSport6Speed]

Is your car black?

[KingpinRCR]

Originally Posted by jyc093

Workmanship was good but they stuffed up my door hahah ... I'm still waiting for BMW to see whether they can fix it under warranty ...

Why should BMW fix something under warranty when your detailer is responsible?

[jyc093]

Originally Posted by KingpinRCR

Why should BMW fix something under warranty when your detailer is responsible?

They first referred me back to BMW because they have a special relationship with them and that was the reason why decided to let my detailer tint my windows at the first place. At BMW, they surprisingly found no damage to the door and told me it could be manufacturer fault. I'm currently still waiting for the warranty to process.