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Still Seeing Scratches Under Your PPF? You Skipped Paint Correction

Every car care and protection job has a set professional method. If you’ve recently installed a premium paint protection film like the brand XPEL in Calgary, but still your car isn’t flawless, you might have missed a step. Instead of the renewed showroom shine, you still find some swirls, haze, or light scratches under the film.

Here, the film isn’t the problem. The problem is the car surface being left untreated before the film was applied. This is bound to happen if you skip paint correction, locking the imperfections under the PPF. So, what should you do? This blog will let you know.

What Paint Correction Actually Does

Whatever the vehicle model is, before a PPF is applied to it, a reputable detailing company would inspect its paint under proper lighting. This step is essential because even new vehicles have the chance to sustain micro-marring, fine scratches, and swirl marks from factory handling or dealership washes.

Usually, paint correction includes machine polishing and levelling out the clear coat to get rid of all visible defects. It’s just like preparing a wall before painting; you cannot forget sanding and expect a smooth coloured surface, right?

So, if you do not correct the paint and apply a PPF, you’re sealing the existing blemishes under a permanent layer. The car’s surface is now protected but is still visibly flawed.

Installing a PPF? Know the Right Thing to Do

Why Paint Correction & Protection Matters—Especially in Calgary

Calgary’s roads and weather are not a joke for vehicles. The mud, gravel, UV rays, snow and road salt are constant abuse to vehicle paint throughout the year. This makes it common for car owners and drivers to install PFFs to experience long-lasting protection.

But no matter what, if you apply XPEL Paint Protection Film but forget to correct the paint first, the restoring process remains incomplete. It’s just as if you are wrapping the problem. Even the film’s gloss cannot hide the damage that is left untreated on the car’s surface.

The Right Order—Correct, Then Protect

Considering professional detailing, there’s a proper order for caring for and protecting vehicle surfaces. Companies like Calgary Car Detailing recommend the following for every vehicle owner:

  1. Inspection: Make sure the company you go to evaluate the vehicle’s paint under high-intensity lighting to locate imperfections, if any.

  2. Paint Correction: Reputed detailers also use professional-grade polishers and compounds, which are needed to remove swirls, minor scratches, and oxidation.

  3. Surface Prep: The next step to look out for is the cleaning and decontamination of the corrected paint to ensure a flawless bond formation.

  4. XPEL PPF Installation: Finally, if you have chosen to purchase the XPEL PPF, the detailers would install it over the now-perfect finish. The new surface will now have the required clarity and depth.

Following this process will make sure that your vehicle looks better than new and stays that way for years.

Don’t Settle for a “Protected” Car That Still Looks Flawed

We get it—installing PPF in Calgary is a costly investment. But skipping paint correction is like putting a screen protector over a dirty phone. You’ll still see the smudges, no matter how advanced the film is. While caring for a car, you need to make sure that the product is the best because otherwise, in the aim of saving costs, you might jeopardise the quality.

Also, trust companies that are authorised installers and detailers for the best service quality and results. At Calgary Car Detailing, we don’t cut corners. We correct first, protect second—because you deserve both performance and perfection. And we also make sure that it serves its purpose for the years to come without any issue.

Also know how XPEL PPFs affect heat dissipation in high-performance cars in our other blog.

Final Thought

Usually, paint protection films of XPEL in Calgary are all known to have incredible technology. But even then, there are ways to make the most out of it. And for this, your automobile’s paint needs to be in the best possible state. You should make sure that not even a minor imperfection ruins your essential and major investment in protective layers.

Are you thinking of installing PPF and do not know if the paint needs correction? Let’s get the prep right. Book a paint correction and PPF consultation session with Calgary Car Detailing today!