Correction step definitions

MNDSMtuner96

MNDSMtuner96

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I was wondering what 1,2,3 step corrections are technically. I myself always considered a 1 step to be just a polish and a 2 step to be a compound/polish. What would a 3 step correction be? Are there technical terms when it comes to these or do people just have their own way of defining the work they are performing, similar to how manufacturers can categorize their products however they want? Just a thought. (Im a very technical guy I guess) lol
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I dunno if there is an actual definition of any? Maybe whatever you want to consider a 1,2,3 step is what they are.

K.I.S.S. Keep it simple Simon, as Mike Phillips says.

I'm sure somewhere there is someone who has made their own definition of what's what, and people go with what's common practice.

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What I consider a 1, 2 or 3 step correction.

A one step for me is when I'm working on a car with little to no defects, mostly to bring out the shine.

When it comes down to a two step I do it on cars that has defects, swirls, light scratches, oxidation, etc.
the first step on a two step correction consist of using a heavy cut compound, most compounds will not finish down well enough, sometimes even leaves hazing, however Wolfgang Uber Compound is the closest compound you can use in getting an almost ready finish before applying a wax/sealant.

Step two of two is to remove any swirls or haze left behind from the compound, step two is important to me, it gives me what I'm looking for, perfection then apply my last step.

I've done a three step correction only a few times.
Only way I'll use a three step is when dealing with trashed paint.
In doing so I first use my rotary with a wool pad along with an aggressive compound like 3M Heavy Duty Compound, then again with a rotary but using a white foam pad with a less aggressive compound, like the WG Uber then step three would be using a finishing pad along with Meguiar's 205.
 
I've been hearing more and more good things about the Uber Compound lately. Might have to try it out!

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For me a 1 step is getting about 70-75% correction and a 2 step is getting is getting around 80-95% correction. 3 step would be jeweling getting as much gloss as possible.
 
My below "correction-steps definitions" are a direct result of what the "Test Spot" reveals.
{Or, perhaps, on occasion:
What the Customers request/their budget allows.}

-One Step:
1.) The use of an AIO ("clean", polish, LSP)

-Two Step:
1.) The use of one abrasive liquid;
2.) Followed by an LSP

-Three Step:
1.) The use of two different abrasive liquids...
2.) used during two separate steps.
3.) Followed by an LSP
Note:
1.) Can be the use of one abrasive liquid,
2.) used during two separate steps, with two different pads.
3.) Followed by an LSP


Bob
 
I just based it off this :dunno:



^ sealing the paint seems to be the determining factor in this.

Meaning, how many steps did you did prior to sealing the paint.

I wonder what step jeweling is considered? 4th step?

compound - step 1
polish - step 2
jewel - step 3
seal (wax) - step 4

^ could be wrong :D
 
I don't consider sealant or a wax as step has nothing to do with paint correction at all.
 
Pureshine said:
I don't consider sealant or a wax as step has nothing to do with paint correction at all.
Click to expand...
As before, as in an earlier post of mine:

I do consider the "sealing-in" of the correction-step(s), as a necessary step that the Customer is going to pay for---this includes the product and time it takes to do so.

Look at the obscene dollar amount that is being promulgated to charge Customers for the "step" to apply some 'Coatings'.
IMHO: An accounting must eventually be made, somewhere down the line.


Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
As before, as in an earlier post of mine:

I do consider the "sealing-in" of the correction-step(s), as a necessary step that the Customer is going to pay for---this includes the product and time it takes to do so.

Look at the obscene dollar amount that is being promulgated to charge Customers for the "step" to apply some 'Coatings'.
IMHO: An accounting must eventually be made, somewhere down the line.


Bob
Click to expand...

I see where your coming from.
 
My definitions:

1-Step - Daily driver/maintenance/production-level detail
1. AIO

2-Step - Very light defects that can be fixed with a light abrasive liquid.
1. Polish
2. LSP

3-Step - Deeper defects that need to be fixed with more aggressive abrasive liquids.
1. Compound
2. Polish
3. LSP



I have heard the term '5-Step' process, which I'm going to assume they mean a 3-Step Process. The other 2 "steps" are Wash/Dry & Clay. Almost as if they don't realize that 1. Wash/Dry & 2. Clay are going to be done regardless of a 1/2/3 step correction.
 
Niko Molina said:
My definitions:

1-Step - Daily driver/maintenance/production-level detail
1. AIO

2-Step - Very light defects that can be fixed with a light abrasive liquid.
1. Polish
2. LSP

3-Step - Deeper defects that need to be fixed with more aggressive abrasive liquids.
1. Compound
2. Polish
3. LSP



I have heard the term '5-Step' process, which I'm going to assume they mean a 3-Step Process. The other 2 "steps" are Wash/Dry & Clay. Almost as if they don't realize that 1. Wash/Dry & 2. Clay are going to be done regardless of a 1/2/3 step correction.
Click to expand...

Or, maybe a "5" step is: compound, medium polish, fine polish, extra fine polish, lsp? Like focusing on some serious jewling after cutting for a show car finish.

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Pureshine said:
I don't consider sealant or a wax as step has nothing to do with paint correction at all.
Click to expand...



If the verbiage is a "Two step correction" to describe Compounding followed by Polishing, I would agree that is correct.


If someone is describing a "Two step process", then I suppose it would be polishing followed by LSP.


For the OP question I agree with Pureshine.


IMO the most important thing would be making sure your Customer understands what they are getting.
 
MNDSMtuner96 said:
Or, maybe a "5" step is: compound, medium polish, fine polish, extra fine polish, lsp? Like focusing on some serious jewling after cutting for a show car finish.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I usually can't tell the difference between a two-step and a three step, unless it is on dark soft paint.

Last night at Meguiar's Thursday Night Open Garage, we corrected the hood on a 1991 Toyota MR2 that had been repainted with single-stage red. Used M105 followed by M205 on one side and on the other the Meguiar's MF Cutting Pad with D300. After compounding with MF we did a test spot with a MF polishing pad and D302 polish. No one could tell the difference. Really becoming a convert to the MF technology.
 
I guess techinically I did a six step on my daily driver a few weeks ago:

Meguiar's M105 with LC Orange
Meguiar's M205 with LC White
Menzerna SF4500 with LC Black
Chemical Guys EZ Creme Glaze with LC Black
Blackfire Wet Diamond with LC Black
Menzerna Color Lock on LC Black

Wow. I'm getting tired just thinking about it again.
 
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