Can You Polish a Ceramic Coated Car?
About this episode
Polishing a ceramic coated car can be daunting for many owners, but it is possible without completely removing the coating. This episode delves into the nuances of polishing techniques, the importance of selecting the right products, and the balance between maintaining the coating and achieving a flawless finish. The host shares insights from 16 years of detailing experience, discusses the development of a new polish designed for easy application without residue, and offers practical workflows for correcting and recoding. Listeners will gain confidence in caring for their ceramic coatings.
Can you actually polish a ceramic coated car, or does that completely remove the coating? In this episode, I break down the truth about polishing coated paint and why any abrasion — no matter how light — can affect or remove your ceramic coating, regardless of brand.
I'll also explain how this challenge led me to develop Picture Perfect Polish, a polish that finishes clean enough to apply a ceramic coating right over it without waiting hours or doing extra prep. That means if you ever need to correct a coated panel, fix a scratch, or spot-polish your paint, you can handle it fast and recoat immediately with The Gloss Boss or Tough As Shell.
By the end, you'll know exactly how to safely polish, correct, and re-coat your ceramic coated vehicle without turning it into a weekend-long project.
Products Mentioned:
-
Picture Perfect Polish: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/picture-perfect-polish
-
The Gloss Boss Ceramic Coating: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/the-gloss-boss
-
Shop all Jimbo's Detailing Products: https://jimbosdetailing.com or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/434f8CI
If you found this video helpful, hit subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss another detailing tip or real-world car care discussion.
Leave a comment below with your experience correcting or polishing a coated car — I read every one.
ceramic coating
"So can you actually polish a ceramic coated car or are you completely removing the coating when you do that?"
Ceramic coating is a special liquid that you put on a car's paint to protect it. It helps keep the car shiny and safe from dirt and scratches.
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to the exterior of a vehicle, which chemically bonds with the factory paint. It provides a protective layer that enhances the car's shine and protects against environmental contaminants.
tunnel car wash
"...can I take it through a tunnel car wash? I say, well, yeah, sure, you could do whatever you want. Just know that all those brushes..."
A tunnel car wash is a place where you drive your car through a long tunnel that washes it automatically. It uses brushes and water to clean the outside of your car.
A tunnel car wash is an automated car washing system where vehicles are driven through a series of cleaning stations. These stations typically use brushes and high-pressure water jets to clean the car's exterior.
spider webbing marks
"...and you start getting spider webbing marks in your coating."
Spider webbing marks are tiny scratches that look like spider webs on a car's paint. They can happen if you wash the car the wrong way or use rough materials.
Spider webbing marks are fine scratches that appear on a car's paint, often caused by improper washing techniques or using abrasive materials. These marks can detract from the car's appearance and may require polishing to remove.
coated car
"...if you have a coated car and you do get a scratch or need to touch up a panel..."
A coated car has a special layer on its paint that keeps it safe from scratches and dirt.
A coated car refers to a vehicle that has a protective layer applied to its paint, often a ceramic or polymer coating, which helps protect against scratches and environmental damage.
bumper
"...maybe you get a car accident or something and your bumper gets repainted, right?"
The bumper is the part of the car at the front and back that helps protect it in case of a crash.
The bumper is a protective component located at the front and rear of a vehicle, designed to absorb impact during collisions and protect the car's body and occupants.
polish
"...You polish that spot with the picture perfect polish, wipe it, remove the residue and reapply the gloss boss"
Polish is a special product that makes the car's paint shiny and helps fix small scratches.
Polish is a product used to enhance the appearance of a vehicle's paint by removing minor scratches and imperfections, resulting in a glossy finish.
gloss boss
"...and reapply the gloss boss"
Gloss Boss is a product that makes your car's paint super shiny after you clean it.
Gloss Boss is likely a brand name or product designed to provide a high-gloss finish to a vehicle's paint after polishing, enhancing its shine and protection.
clay spots
"If I needed to, I would maybe clay spots that I knew were already rough, maybe not. I would dry the car, inspect it, and then hit the area with the Picture Perfect Polish..."
Clay spots are rough areas on a car's paint that can be cleaned with a special clay bar. This helps make the paint smooth again.
Clay spots refer to areas on a car's surface that have roughness due to contaminants like tree sap or industrial fallout. Using a clay bar can help remove these contaminants, leaving the paint smooth and clean.
Cut and Finish Pad
"...hit the area with the Picture Perfect Polish and the Cut and Finish Pad, the Burgundy Pad. That's my favorite combo..."
The Cut and Finish Pad is a special pad used with polish to help make a car's paint look better. It helps remove scratches and gives a nice finish.
The Cut and Finish Pad is a type of polishing pad used in conjunction with polish to remove imperfections and enhance the finish of a vehicle's paint. Different pads serve various purposes, with this one designed for cutting and finishing work.
Burgundy Pad
"...the Cut and Finish Pad, the Burgundy Pad. That's my favorite combo, that is the combo"
The Burgundy Pad is a type of polishing pad that helps make a car's paint shiny. It's used with polish to fix scratches and improve the finish.
The Burgundy Pad is a specific type of polishing pad, often used for cutting and finishing. Its color typically indicates its level of abrasiveness, making it suitable for different polishing tasks.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.