Aug 31 2022

Ceramic Coating High Spots: What and How to Remove Them

Lambency Detailing

Painting

Ceramic coating of your vehicle’s paintwork can go a long way in maintaining its pristine appearance. So, off your car goes into the detailing workshop, and a few days later, you drive it out on the roads only to notice some white marks or rainbow streaks on the paintwork.

These are known as ceramic high spots, which are a common issue that even the most experienced and professional detailers will encounter from time to time. So, you don’t need to panic when you find these ceramic high spots on your car.

For peace of mind, this article explores what causes ceramic high spots after a ceramic coating car in Singapore and how you can remove them easily.

What Causes Ceramic High Spots?

Ceramic high spots can occur for various reasons, but the most common cause is the un-leveled coating, which has cured or is in the curing stage. This is usually the result of poor buffing technique or inadequate leveling of the ceramic coating.

When applying the ceramic coating, professional detailers will typically work on small sections at any point to ensure leveled coating. They then buff the area using a microfibre cloth before moving on to the next section.

However, it can still be tricky because professional detailers must determine when to start leveling the coating. If you wipe too soon, you might remove the coating instead of smoothing it out. If you wait too long, the coating has cured and won’t level out, leaving high spots to occur.

Another reason why ceramic high spots don’t get noticed during the application is lighting. If the professional detailer uses too bright lighting, they might not notice the high spots. High spots are only noticeable under natural light, not direct sunlight.

What to do with Ceramic High Spots?

If you notice some high spots on your vehicle’s ceramic coating, know that they are easy to remove with the techniques below. These will depend on the time that has passed since the coating was applied. So, the earlier you find the high spots, the better you can remove them.

1. Level the coating using a microfibre cloth

There are many things that a microfibre cloth can do, and that includes leveling the ceramic coating on your vehicle’s paintwork. Use the cloth to smooth it out before the coating cures as soon as you find a high spot, especially after the coating is applied.

Don’t wait too long because once the coating is cured, you can’t level the ceramic high spot with a microfibre cloth. So, make sure to inspect and level high spots as soon as possible.

2. Coat the high spot

Coating the high spot may not seem like a solution, but it can make the ceramic high spot invisible. This is useful when leveling the coating with microfibre cloth doesn’t work. So, make sure to apply a little or small layer of coating over the area.

Avoid applying large amounts of coating over the high spot, as this can worsen the coating condition. Make sure to buff off with a separate microfibre cloth and do this quickly before the coating cures.

3. Polish by hand to remove coating

If wiping with a microfibre cloth and applying an extra coat to the high spot doesn’t work, you can try to remove the coating by polishing it by hand. Plus, it helps to level or flatten the high spot.

Removing high spots may require less work, depending on the amount of time that has passed since the coating has settled. But, make sure to use a recommended car polish to ensure that you don’t damage your vehicle’s paintwork.

4. Machine polish to remove coating

Should all the techniques above fail to level, remove, or make the high spots invisible, your next option is to use a polishing machine. This is only applicable if you noticed and ignored the high spots for some time, leaving them to bond with your vehicle’s paintwork.

Using a machine polish will also remove the ceramic coating, which means extra work on applying the coating in the same area. In this case, it is best to get professional detailers like Lambency Detailing to work on removing and reapplying the ceramic coating to ensure the best result.

Get your Car’s Paintwork Protected at Lambency Detailing

Rectifying the ceramic coating on your vehicle’s paintwork can be hassle-free with the help of a professional car grooming centre in Singapore like Lambency Detailing.

As a one-stop automotive centre for all your car needs, we offer comprehensive car paint protection solutions that use only 100% genuine SONAX products from Germany to ensure the quality of your car’s surface.

Find out more about Lambency Detailing’s different products and services here. Book an appointment with us to get your car paint protected now! WhatsApp: (65) 9658 5808 Email: lambency@quantum-globe.com

Ceramic Coating High Spots: What and How to Remove Them