How Much Clear Coat Is Removed During....Paint Enhancement, One Step, Multi Step, Wet Sand?

[@GSP-76]

Brian, you are ALWAYS doing this community a solid day in and day out. I can honestly say you have no equal in this space on KZbin.

[@apexdetail85]

I truly appreciate the kind words.

[@kimnewling5728]

Wow. Shocking. Scary stuff.

[@tommyholt3465]

THIS is the content you won’t find on dozens of other channels. Thank you sir!

[@DynoDieselWagon]

CorrectAmondo

[@jamiefrick5015]

Literally had this conversation with a customer today. Great info, great video! Keep up the good work!!

[@Ozzcaddy]

Very good video Brian. If Manufacturers continue to use less clearcoat, we may end up back where the only paint protection will be the waxes and polishes we applied back in the 1950' onwards. Cheers, Ozz.

[@edwingier3346]

Excellent video! Should be required viewing before anyone picks up a D/A!

[@josephonofrio7243]

Keep in mind, Brian only did 2 passes for each step. I see many KZbin detailers doing 6 to 8 passes on 1 and 2 steps. Imagine how much more clear they are removing than these numbers.

[@apexdetail85]

And this was medium hardness. Much more is removed from soft clear.

[@DjBann]

This is very true. Blows my mind that I see many detailers do crazy amount of passes.

[@DjBann]

Also to add, can't imagine what's left when doing 3-Stage correction (compound/mild polish, finishing polish).

[@elihernandez330]

Literally what I was just trying to search a while back. Thanks for the vid. Was always curious as to exactly how much was removed.

[@Codriver72]

This is exactly why I love this channel. You, Sir, are very methodical and explains in such a fantastic way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@millerdetailing4176]

Can’t wait always entertaining and educational. Thanks for all the amazing content Brian.

[@sylvainmarier4818]

The best detailing training channel so far ! thank you Brian !

[@dustin3700]

Another informative video, thanks Brian.

[@gabeatv]

The Shop Manager!

[@albertomendoza2251]

Mr. Brian: Outstanding vídeo!!!

[@mikeyp2447]

Great video B! I tried your Rehydra-Sheet and loved it!!

[@apexdetail85]

I am glad you enjoy Rehydra-Sheet!😁👍

[@videomaniac108]

Thanks Brian for another highly educational video on this subject. This answers some of the questions that I had in mind to ask my detailer in formulating correction goals on my black Nissan Z.

[@aldaley3537]

Informative, educational, and extremely helpful. Brian, you exceed our expectations.

[@ShineYourLightDetailing]

Great info! Would be nice if the gauges had an extra 10th of a mil resolution. Or a switch to microns as there’s 25.4 µm in a mil. Thanks again Brian, a lot of people need to realize this! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@landryb06]

It would essentially be the same. The unit has the following specs : Resolution: 1 um/0.1 mil, Accuracy: +/- (3%+2um) or +/- (3%+0.1mils). The resolution is 2.5x smaller in um, but the accuracy is double that of mils, so it cancels out.

[@ShineYourLightDetailing]

@@landryb06 That’s great to see the specs, thanks for posting those! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@tkx86]

This was so handy to see. I cannot wait to get my Extech CG204 Coating Thickness Tester and get properly detailing with the final steps towards the closest thing to perfection.Thankyou apex. Subbed.

[@apexdetail85]

Welcome to the family!

[@TripleGAutoDetailing]

This video is pure Gold 🌟 No advertising, just facts. 💯 Much appreciated Brian. Stay well my friend. Is that the new ShineMate DA?? 🤔

[@apexdetail85]

It is the EX620. Works well so far👍

[@Dv087]

Thanks for the info. I'll be making an appointment soon. Still moving back to PA. Your shop is only 45min from me. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

[@apexdetail85]

I look forward to meeting you!😁

[@Chris-wb7ni]

Great video. Shows how much you can do with a one step

[@TripleGAutoDetailing]

Awesome!! That is my next addition to the paint correction tool arsenal.

[@bigd9848]

This is a very important and educational video as always Brian ✊💎Happy Easter 🐣 to you and Junior tomorrow.Enjoy the day.Thanks much appreciation ✊

[@apexdetail85]

Thank you! Happy Easter!

[@functionaldoc5054]

I was talking with body shop owner they now have 5k and 8k sandpaper . I was amazed that his restored Ford Torino he said that his brown paint and clear from PPG paint only was $2,500 at cost. He doesn't wash car with multiple mitts or use grit guards . I amazed how few body shop owners know how to properly maintain their own cars.

[@eamonkelly2792]

Thanks Brian great video, you should be a teacher in detailing, your videos are very educational and so easy to follow, once again thanks for your time and support

[@Steven-zr4it]

Awesome job show info the differences and what to expect depending which direction you want to go in paint correction. I was always under the impression one step and enhancements were the same, I find a lot of detailers use the terms interchangeably which definitely causes some confusion. Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge Brian! You’re awesome 🍺

[@richardseem7948]

Awesome video and tutorial good friend. Been a minute doing this type of video. Always great content good friend. B well good friend 🍻🍻

[@williamrivera5363]

Thanks again brian for the video i can learn alot from watching your videos

[@MrBod4life]

I needed to see this. Thanks brian!

[@spirosantoniou2289]

Thank you for the time to prepare the video. I believe if you uaed a lazer just to measure the panel and remeasure again after polishing will be more accurate.

[@bstewartexecutivecarcare3797]

Thanks for sharing this important information with us 👍✌️☮️

[@alanwallace3253]

Excellent and informative as always. Aloha from Maui

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

Love it!! Always the best videos!

[@apexdetail85]

I truly appreciate the kind words Chelsea.😊

[@scottmattern482]

This was an important video for me, thank you

[@mikejbam]

Really interesting. Thanks for the video.

[@CAPTJ696]

Brian I had to check the date on this one because I haven't seen a video with Angelwax products in a while.

[@neilwalker5041]

I cannot like this video enough! Your polishing and compound videos are the stuff of legend! Could you tell a difference in gloss in the different steps?

[@khrystianaravena6069]

Amazing info mate, so appreciated👌

[@paulwharton1850]

Very, very helpful - Many thanks for making the video.

[@stuartkipp6533]

Thanks for the content Brian 👍 I'm in the middle of a Hino truck enhancement so very appropriate! The paint was faded and only averaged 2.8mils I was nervous and managed some decent gloss with 3D One and shinemate medium blue pad. I wasn't game enough to chase the defects. The truck only had 80000km and one owner - very poor paint🤨 Love the content mate👍

[@apexdetail85]

Wow... that is razor thin.

[@MNpicker]

This is good stuff 😎👌🏼

[@shausner5634]

You continue to provide valuable information which is straight forward and to the point. I'm always learning from your videos. Question: I'm going to work on '18 Honda Accord that has swirl marks all over but has a handful of trouble areas (deeper scratches). What pad/polish, compound or one-step would you go with? Thanks Brian!

[@apexdetail85]

Lake Country white polish pad and TW One and Done is a great place to start. Always do a test spot first.

[@Combat556]

As a DIY detailer on my own cars, it would be so helpful, and safe, to know before and after paint thickness. Is there a paint thickness gauge that you would recommend? 😊 Thank you.

[@goldenbear31]

WoW thanks for the informative video!

[@rzrscott7355]

Good to know ! Still have a lot of swirls and scratches on my truck. Looks like I go too fast and May have to slow down.

[@nicorallysport]

Great Brian! 👍

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

Thank you very much, very informative. I am thinking about using acryllic glazes with fillers rather than focusing on compounding every little scratch out. How durable do you think xtreme’s guardian is?

[@MrBod4life]

Do you have a link to xtreme guardian?

[@apexdetail85]

If you let it cure the full 48 hr. It is very durable. Acrylic is already in clear coat...so the bond is strong.💪🏻

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

@@apexdetail85 Thanks! Guardian it is then. Happy Eastern!

[@MrBod4life]

@@seugeniogonzaleze9296 can you please share a link where I can buy this? thanks sEugenio

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

@@MrBod4life I think I am not allowed to share links, because I’ve answered your question like three times, but it gets erased right after it. You can Google for it with the keywords xtreme lvr guardian.

[@jillou4981]

Thanks Brian. How about if the car/panel is old, say 15 years and is a daily driver... will these treatments bring out different outcome? Love this work!!

[@apexdetail85]

The only thing that would change in the readings is if the clear was softer or harder. This clear was medium.

[@jillou4981]

@@apexdetail85 Oh!! Would it then be right to say that age of clearcoat does not affect how fast or easy it's broken down by the abrasion. Its the overall make and integrity that counts... thanks Brian.

[@summerforever6736]

Older cars has thicker clear coat You can compound it more before gona..

[@danmorrissette4814]

faster turn around and more $$$ your way !! Nice to see the amount that swelling can induce ~! and thats without being too agressive!! Protection is the name of the Game! ;-)

[@pwrshots]

Can only imagine how much a black paint job sitting in the hot summer sun swells.🥺

[@Hutch400]

Great stuff! Still use the same paint meter?

[@jp-us9rq]

thanks for all the tips

[@jonschmunk7719]

OUTSTANDING

[@mattduffy2023]

Very informative

[@ptheledge5390]

Great info Brian! So is the enhancement basically just a finishing pad and finishing polish that’s doesn’t remove any swirls?

[@apexdetail85]

With an enhancement... all you are aiming for is cleaning up the paint so to speak for an increase in gloss and clarity.

[@ptheledge5390]

@@apexdetail85 thanks Brian

[@ddautodetailing]

Great info as always, thanks!

[@rondail5675]

Thanks Brian. Seeing many people are taking their cars our now for winter storage, what would be your 'once-a-year' polish or protection scheme?

[@eliojuannavarro5085]

Excellent demo. New member. How do we know which kind of clear coat our vehicle has? I’ve a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan and a 2021 Toyota Highlander. How do I know which is which or where can I find out. Thanks guys.

[@summerforever6736]

Start with a polishing compound if it is not taking out scratches move down to a cutting more aggressive compound ... So on It gives you a clue how hard it is... Test it...

[@donschultz7759]

Hey Brian. Question is the # of mil. So say 3 mil is thin and 5 is thicker or repaired/repainted possibly

[@Russpilot]

Hey Brian, quick question. If you have a car you really love and want to shine, what would be the efficacy of having a new coat of clear shot on the car so that it is thick enough to really polish down? I guess what I am asking is would having more clear shot on to be able to polish down to mirror all that expensive?

[@ultrasp99]

Hi Brian... Really hoping you can maybe give me some direction. I inherited a 1985 Beige Buick LeSabre from my Dad. It is all original and I would have to guess that it spent half it's life outdoors. We live in Syracuse NY and was NEVER driven in the winters. Overall the car looks good but the top surfaces are dull/faded. Several weeks ago I went over the whole car with Mequiars Ultimate Compound and their professional glaze using an orbital polisher like the Meguiers one . It definitely looked better when I was done but I couldn't achieve the gloss look. I keep it covered outdoors and over the last month or so, the hood and trunk has become almost very splotchy looking. Before I worked on it I don't believe anyone else has every worked on the paint. I guess my questions are: Is there anything else I can do to make it look better? Other than measuring the thickness of the paint, can I tell how much paint I have to work with? Is there clear coat on this 1985 Buick? I am afraid to use anything more aggressive and buff through the paint. So sorry for all the questions but I do APPRECIATE any help you can offer. I am very much a novice but I have been cleaning my cars for must of my 57 years. When I was younger I also painted several cars. So I do have a LITTLE experience. Thanks in advance. Steve from Syracuse NY

[@saganworshipper6062]

@Apex Detail Just started the video so not sure if it's going to answer my question or not but here goes. So 2 years ago I bought a 2008 BMW 328xi with 80K miles on it. The first thing I did was bring it to a local detail shop and I had the 5 year Opti-Coat Pro (just the pro, not the "pro +plus) ceramic coating put on it. The car is black and it was pretty heavily swirled so I believe they did a 3 step paint correction before applying the ceramic coating. The car came out really nice considering it's a black car. One thing I remember the detailer telling me was that he had to go easy because the paint kept getting hot. I know this is a good shop but I'm curious, how thick or thin should my paint be? I bought one of those thickness meters off ebay but I haven't put it on the car yet to measure it because it didn't come with a battery. Anyways, what should I be looking for number wise? Like how will I know if they took too much clear coat off the car, or what number would be a good number that would show I still have a decent amount of paint/clear coat on there? Hope that makes sense? Thanks. Really enjoy your channel.

[@apexdetail85]

On that type of car... 4.5 to 5.7m is normal.

[@saganworshipper6062]

@@apexdetail85 Thanks for the reply! I will check it out!

[@saganworshipper6062]

@@apexdetail85 Also, I am in CT so I don't think you are too far from me, so maybe you could be the one that does my next coating, although this opti-coat seems to be still going strong. Do you have an opinion on how well Opti-Coat Pro stacks up against the newer graphene type coatings? Is it still one of the best or is it already dated technology? Thanks again!

[@larrydaujotas7290]

Hi Brian, all other factors aside, which finishing polish do you feel will finish to the highest gloss rating before applying any fillers / protection? Also, which pad would you match up with that polish? Thanks in advance

[@apexdetail85]

Xtreme Solutions Finale and the CarPro Gloss Pad.

[@13pcbs]

Hi Brian, so over the past couple of years things have moved from shave to preserve the clearcoat. As you mention the UV protection in the clearcoat "can" even with enhancements be affected. With the various products [coating/sealant/waxes] we all crave and their varying behaviours / longevity. Like sun tan lotions have an SPF factor, do you think products should market a similar UV protection factor?

[@yasseramrezzat]

If we are removing overspray, how much clear coat can be lost ?

[@beijingbiden5931]

@apexdetail what kind of paint guage you using?

[@lacro5686]

Brian, where does Turtlewax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black Polish fall in the cut category, enhansement or one step?

[@the_Real_R3x]

Turtle wax pads. How do you like them? Comparable to UroFiber?

[@marcuswhite1403]

Hi, What pad and compound are you using after you color sanded that portion of the door? I have one of those buffers also, but normally use the high speed buffer with a wool pad for compounding step. I usually end up with swirl marks. I'm trying to compound and finish without leaving swirls. I'm currently using the 3M perfect it 3 step process.

[@chrismurphy783]

Would a polish with acrylic, such as lvr 403, make a noticeable difference with the readings?

[@apexdetail85]

More so if I switched over to microns.

[@DJR5280]

I’d like to do a one step on my 05 Tahoe with 150k miles but I have no idea how much clear is left on the vehicle

[@visi5649]

Out of interest was the paint soft, medium or hard?

[@visi5649]

OK ignore me ... lol ... I see it’s medium

[@M.E63]

So how many mils is where it’s not safe to even do even a machine polish ?

[@MrKennyanders]

I did a 1 step with TW Black last year, do I have to do it again to apply a different protection or just a good cleaning

[@emanueleberbiglia7012]

just one step with finishing polish and soft pad, how much paint is removed? On soft paint

[@arpandoshi9878]

What treatment does you suggest ?

[@davidmorales7371]

Here's an in important question, are there any trade-offs to this ever thinning clear coat? Meaning clear coat may be getting thinner but is is any better than it has been, is it stronger, more UV resistant, glossier, scratch resistant etc. than before. Has the technology improved at all to where less is equally as effective or are we just getting less of the same ol clear coat?

[@summerforever6736]

I dont think so ! They are saving money!!

[@tompowell8422]

I have a 4Runner. How many corrections can I do? I have done 2 and it needs it again. The swirls are terrible. Very soft paint. It swirl during the drying stage Yes I am very carful!

[@apexdetail85]

One correction and done. Practice safe maintenance and wash technique after that correction.

[@pwrshots]

So Bri, if the clear is thinned out, does it make a difference if you use a paste wax with UV protection or a spray on? They both offer UV protection.the only thing the wax would give you is a higher reading? This is until it wears off correct? Would the best option then be a ceramic coating for very thin clear?

[@apexdetail85]

A ceramic coating or PPF would truly be the better option.

[@summerforever6736]

Wax does not offer UV protection Don't believe me look it up

[@basilstylianou8437]

Which paint depth gauge are you using?

[@JayyBird93]

What are some tips to find a detailer that takes these things very seriously?

[@summerforever6736]

You just did apex

[@2010stoof]

What polisher is that you're using?

[@apexdetail85]

It is a ShineMate EX 620. Works well.

[@norcalspitshine9067]

Nice

[@jatiyanon]

From Chicago Auto Pros, I think can do 2-step polish one time per year. But from this it's not. Just sad 😢. Maybe one step polish just use the soft cut foam pad instead.

[@1badhaircut]

Important info here : So if someone did a full detaining with paint CORRECTION every 6 months - their PROTECTION would be significantly eroded in a year -- unless coated with various sacrificial protection coatings.

[@summerforever6736]

Even every year is too much looks like!!

[@MiataPower96]

Which paint depth gauge is that?

[@mingoreyes1]

So if it reads, 2ml I can still paint enhancement?

[@jchutch]

Does the thickness meter measure only clear coat thickness, or ALL material on the substrate?(ie:primer/sealer/base/clear)

[@summerforever6736]

Lol All together done to metal

[@OrganicStuff1]

I wish they made a wireless DA that's works just as good

[@ptheledge5390]

Flex do

[@GatorCraze100]

Maybe a dumb question, can you go any get a clear coat added back on if it gets low?

[@apexdetail85]

The best way....respray.

[@dougiekritikson9644]

hey what polisher is that?

[@apexdetail85]

It is a ShineMate EX620. Works well so far.

[@williamrivera5363]

💪💪

[@gregorymarsh9504]

Would have loved to see an orange-peel removal step and it's subsequent result. And actually finish "leveling" the clear, not just running the pad and saying it was done. Also, why the hell are manufactures putting such pathetically low amounts of clear on their cars lately?! 😨

[@jamesmoros1274]

.20 mm are 200 micronmeters so 5 microns are expressed as 0.0050 🙂

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

1st Love learning more of the science besides just doing it, thanks for your teaching.

[@Tops1212]

3rd

[@jjjjjjjjjjjhjjjjjhjj]

Brian I really appreciate this video Was the 2.8 or 3.2 a burned spot/ clear failing ?

[@MrBod4life]

didn't see that

[@apexdetail85]

The car it came off of could have been corrected by someone at some point. 2.8 m is abnormally low.

[@lifeofbrian9511]

Informative as always! Thanks B!