Order of operations for paint correction and Doctor Colorchip?

[undefined]

This will be my first time trying to detail a vehicle properly. The vehicle is a daily driver, and I'm not looking for perfection or show room results, I'm looking to simply clean it, address any existing problems, and protect the paint from damage. I ordered all of the equipment and consumables from AG earlier this week to do paint correction and the Doctor Colorchip kit to address road rash and rock chips in my wife's LX570.

What I am unsure about is the correct order of operations to achieve the best results.

Option 1:

1. Iron remover (Griot's Garage Iron & Fallout Remover 35oz)
2. Wash (DP Coating Prep Wash)
3. Clay bar (Griots Garage 6 inch Surface Prep Pad and/or Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay Special)
4. Fix paint chips (Dr. ColorChip)
5. Compound (Pinnacle Black Label Compound)
6. Polish (Pinnacle Black Label Polish)
7. Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Surface Prep Spray
8. Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coating

Option 2:

1. Iron remover (Griot's Garage Iron & Fallout Remover 35oz)
2. Wash (DP Coating Prep Wash)
3. Clay bar (Griots Garage 6 inch Surface Prep Pad and/or Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay Special)
4. Compound (Pinnacle Black Label Compound)
5. Polish (Pinnacle Black Label Polish)
6. Fix paint chips (Dr. ColorChip)
7. Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Surface Prep Spray
8. Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Paint Coating

Option 2 matches what the videos in the Doctor Colorchip review thread say to do (use DCC after paint correction), but won't all the rubbing done with SealAct cause marks that require polishing to remove?

[MisterSnoop]

You want to wait 30 days after doing Dr Colorchip before doing any polishing/compounding. I personally haven't noticed marring from using the SealAct but I have seen that comment made on another thread. I've also tweaked my methods to minimize excess paint which makes the removal SealAct step easier.

[2black1s]

Option 2 without a doubt. If you touch up prior to compounding/polishing, those steps will remove some or all of the touch up paint you just applied. If you feel the need to polish after doing the touch up work, do as MisterSnoop suggests and wait at least 30 days to allow the paint to harden.

[MisterSnoop]

The other thread:
Polish AFTER Dr. Colorchip

[undefined]

I think I need to get it good and clean and do the paint correction first no matter what. It has a lot of white marks on the hood (black vehicle) that I don't understand - they are not chips down to the primer, they are marks on the clear coat. Before I start adding paint, I need to see what problems remain after compounding and polishing.

If I need to go back and polish again a few weeks later, so be it. Given that this is a daily driver that is kept outside and used for off roading, some swirls or marring aren't going to be a big deal.

[MisterSnoop]

Mike did a livestream with Dr Colorchip a few months back. He offered some tips that may help and could reduce the potential need for polishing afterwards.

How to fix rock chips without having to repaint your car - YouTube

[Bruno Soares]

I normally do the touch up, then 2 weeks later do the paint correction and protection. You need some days for the paint to cure. Also, I've always had some marring in some touch up areas so there's no way I'd paint correct and then touch up knowing that would be likely to leave some marks behind that need to be polished again anyways.

[psnt1ol]

I think I need to get it good and clean and do the paint correction first no matter what. It has a lot of white marks on the hood (black vehicle) that I don't understand - they are not chips down to the primer, they are marks on the clear coat. Before I start adding paint, I need to see what problems remain after compounding and polishing.

If I need to go back and polish again a few weeks later, so be it. Given that this is a daily driver that is kept outside and used for off roading, some swirls or marring aren't going to be a big deal.

Question for you....

Are the white marks mostly by the radiator area?

[undefined]

@psnt1ol yes. They are like a light spray pattern / splatter pattern on the front of the hood.

[undefined]

Yes, those spots are near the radiator.