Compounding and Polishing are two terms many people confuse in detailing. Many people use the two terms interchangeably and there are many different ways to describe these two terms. For clarification purposes, these are the definitions of these two terms that Next Level uses.
Compounding is the process of removing paint defects. These include swirl marks and fine scratches. Many of these imperfections in the paint are caused by improper washing techniques or using automatic car washes (referred to as sand paper mills in detailing circles). Once these imperfections are made, there is no way to remove them except to grind down the paint around it till the scratch is smoothed out. This is done by using compound product and a dual action polisher.
Polishing is the process of refining a paint surface. Once compounding has removed major imperfections, the polishing process then brings out the shine of the paint. Most polishes out in the market today also seal the paint giving a durable layer of protection. This process is also done with a dual action polisher but instead of a rough compounding pad, a smooth, soft pad is used to buff the paint finish.
To properly compound and polish paint, a proper paint prep is needed. This involves washing and clay barring the paint to remove any contaminants that may hinder the compounding process. With the right process, tools, products, and patience, your paint can be revitalized to look as amazing as the day it was made.
Because of the variables involved in compounding and polishing, I cannot provide a quote until I have seen the vehicle and inspected it along with the owner. I like to go over the paint and have a dialogue with the owner to manage expectations and figure out exactly what he/she wants. Once I know what the owner wants and expects, I can give a quote based on the time and work needed to achieve it.
