Application protocol
Three phases, not three random compounds
12 minEstimated reading time — roughly how many minutes it takes to read at a normal screen pace.
Professional paint correction is not “spread and buff.” It is a three-step hierarchical process with a defined goal per phase. Skip a phase and its problems transfer to the next step — or directly to ceramic coating, whi
On this page
On this page10
Three phases, not three random compounds
Professional paint correction is not “spread and buff.” It is a three-step hierarchical process with a defined goal per phase. Skip a phase and its problems transfer to the next step — or directly to ceramic coating, which then fails.
Interactive model
Clear coat roughness across correction stages
Přepínačem projděte 3 fáze korekce a sledujte, jak se mikroprofil clear coatu postupně srovnává. Ra (Roughness average) a RMS jsou orientační — skutečné hodnoty závisí na pastě, padu a stavu laku.
Compound — deep cut
Heavy compound with a firm pad cuts down defects and oxidation. Micro-profile remains significant — visible matter under inspection light.
Ra (μm)
2.00
RMS (μm)
2.40
Three standardized phases:
- Compounding — aggressive removal of deep defects.
- Polishing — cleanup and leveling after compounding.
- Refining (jeweling) — final specular reflection and coating prep.
Plus final chemical degreasing (Panel Prep) — not cosmetic, but the bridge between mechanical correction and chemical protection.
Before you start: prep protocol
Correction must not begin on a vehicle that was only washed. If the pad picks up baked contamination (brake iron, mineral crystals, sand grit), it becomes random-grit sandpaper — fatal pigtails and deep gouges.
Pre-correction preparation
Shaded, cool environment
No direct sun or radiant heat. Target panel temperature 15–26 °C.Residue-free wash
FEYNLAB Pure Wash (or Pure Rinseless) two-bucket method. No wax “enhancer” shampoos.Iron remover
Reacts with brake dust and fallout (purple indication). Thorough rinse.Clay + FEYNLAB Prime (1:15)
Mechanical decon with polymer lubrication. Light residual Prime film after water flash aids polishing lubricity.Thorough drying
Warm filtered air; attention to gaps and mirrors.
Phase 1: Compounding (aggressive cut)
Goal: Remove deep defects — RIDs, oxidation, acid etching.
Compound: FEYNLAB A50 (Super Heavy Cutting Compound).
Pad: Coarse foam or microfiber (URO-Fiber Black/White on typical paint; CCS HDO foam on soft clears).
Machine: Rotary up to 1600 RPM (studio) or DA V3 (including skilled DIY).
Compounding step by step
Shake A50
Re-suspend abrasive in lubricant carrier.4 drops of compound
Four even dime-sized drops on the selected pad.60 × 60 cm work section
Mark on panel. Place machine on paint before power on.Spread slowly
Lowest speed to distribute compound over section.3400–4000 OPM (DA)
Raise speed; 2–4 slow passes vertical, then horizontal (cross-hatch).Watch for transparency
When compound turns clear, stop machine.Wipe residue
Clean premium short-nap towel. Inspect under point light.Clean pad
Brush or air purge before next section.
Expected side effect: Compounding leaves its own micro-holograms (haze), especially on softer clears. That is normal — the next phase fixes it.
2–4 passes
cross-hatch on a 60×60 cm section
More passes ≠ better result. Higher dwell = more heat.
Phase 2: Polishing (one-step or intermediate)
Goal: Either solve lighter defects alone (one-step scenario) or level haze after A50 and unify the surface.
Compound: FEYNLAB A500 (Medium Cut Polish).
Pad: Medium-firm foam (HDO Polishing) on DA.
Machine: DA V3, 3400–4000 OPM.
Procedure matches compounding with less pressure and shorter cycles. A500 on foam is the most universal DIY one-step — on a typical daily driver it removes 80–90% of defects with high gloss.
Phase 3: Refining / Jeweling
Goal: Maximize specular reflection, remove last micro-marring, prepare for ceramic protection.
Compound: FEYNLAB A1000 (Fine Finishing Polish).
Pad: Soft finishing foam (URO-Finisher / HDO Finishing).
Machine: DA V3 or V3 MINI 75 mm for edges and profiles.
Key: no added hand pressure. Compound + machine weight do the work. Medium-high speed for smooth compound behavior; extended work time without dry-out.
Result: show-car finish — mirror specular reflection, no holograms or haze, minimal dusting. Paint is now optically and chemically ready for final degreasing.
Phase 4: Final chemical integration (Panel Prep)
Mechanical correction is done. But carrier lubricants from compounds remain in pores — even filler-free formulas leave a thin oil film. Without removal, ceramic bonds to oil, not clear coat (see Panel Prep vs. IPA).
Panel Prep — final degreasing
Fresh towel set
Min. 6 pcs, 350 GSM, edgeless.Prime towels
Spray Panel Prep 3–5× into fibers (never on paint).Section by section
Half door or quarter hood.Buff to dry
Second dry towel, no pressure, to crystalline cleanliness.10 minutes flash-off
Before coating application.
After Panel Prep the surface is in its most vulnerable “naked” state: high surface energy, open hydroxyls on clear coat, no masking oils. Ceramic application starts here — Si–O–Si bond strength equals preparation quality.
What determines protocol success
- Patience. Three phases + degreasing cannot be rushed. Full correction of a personal vehicle is 12–24 hours in a certified studio.
- Test spot before every new compound + pad pairing — literally on every vehicle.
- Point-light inspection between phases — see what actually left and what remains.
- Clean pads between sections. Loaded pad = new scratches.
- Paint thickness gauge whenever you go beyond one-step A500. Without it you work blind.
When you lack the environment
Correction followed by ceramic is a maximalist discipline. If you do not have:
- Paint thickness gauge
- DA polisher FEYNMACH V3 or equivalent
- Point-source LED inspection light
- Quality pad set + 6+ clean microfiber towels
- Dust-controlled space at 21–27 °C and 40–60% RH
…this is not penny-pinching; it is realistic assessment. Hand the vehicle to a certified studio. Premium ceramic without proper prep never pays back economically.
Key takeaways
- Correction is a four-phase system, not a random compound sequence.
- Each phase targets a specific defect class and passes a cleaner substrate forward.
- Panel Prep is integral, not optional.
- Without proper equipment, spending more on ceramic does not help — you already lost potential in Phase 1.
Further reading
Topic: Polishing & correction
More in this topic