Remove the scratches first. Apply protection second.
Ceramic coating over unpolished paint simply seals in swirl marks for years. We correct the defects first, then apply the coating to the properly prepared finish.
How it works
Polishing removes a very thin layer of clear coat along with the scratches. There's only so much clear coat to work with, so we start with a paint thickness gauge, measuring every panel to assess the margin available. If the finish on the roof or wings is already thin, we take a gentler approach or leave that panel untouched.
Next come two or three polishing stages: a cutting compound removes the main defects, then a finishing polish removes machine-induced holograms. We check the result under a detailing light that reveals defects you wouldn't see outdoors. Only then do we degrease the surface and apply the ceramic coating. We polish with Koch-Chemie products and use Gtechniq ceramic coatings.
When we advise against it
If paint depth readings indicate critically thin clear coat, polishing is not safe: it could cut through to the primer. In that case, we will suggest a gentle, non-abrasive treatment or a protective coating alone, and explain exactly what the readings showed.
Machine polishing and ceramic coating
Bring your car in for an assessment or send us photos. We'll give you a quote and a timeframe.