Not all paint finishes are the same — and not all polish is created equal. Whether you’re working on a classic single-stage respray or a brand-new ceramic clear coat, understanding your surface will dictate your polishing choices. At My Car Cleaning, we see many customers unsure whether to use compound, polish, or all-in-one (AIO) products. Let’s break it down.
🎨 Types of Paint Finishes:
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Single Stage Paint – Found on older vehicles, no clear coat. Needs softer pads and medium cut polishes.
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Clear-Coated Paint – Modern two-stage paint systems require careful correction to avoid removing too much clear.
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Ceramic-Coated Surfaces – Require specialised products or jewelling finishes only.
Each paint type responds differently to heat, pad aggressiveness, and product chemistry. For example, single stage paint tends to oxidise faster but is easier to correct with less effort. Clear-coated paints, however, offer more durability but are prone to swirling and holograms if not polished correctly. Ceramic-coated finishes add an extra layer of hardness and require either coating-safe polishes or a simple top-up with a maintenance product.
🔧 Product Matchups:
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Use Rupes Uno Protect for AIO correction on soft paint.
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Use a cutting compound + finishing polish for heavy defects and better control.
💡 Don’t forget pad choice plays a massive role. Microfibre pads cut faster, but foam pads finish better. Knowing your surface saves time, prevents costly mistakes, and gives better results every time. Always perform a test spot before committing to an entire panel!