3 step correction?

[58LesPaul]

I've seen 3 step corrections mentioned once or twice and did a search but found nothing. Other than compound and polish, what's the 3rd step? Are they considering a lsp as one step of a correction?

[postaltwo]

To me a 3 step is a heavy compound , polish and ultra fine polish

[Setec Astronomy]

Modern abrasives (and to some extent pad technology) have for the most part eliminated 3-step corrections. Back in the old days if you had heavy defects you would start with a compound on some sort of cutting pad, that would leave the finish hazy. Then you would move to a medium polish to remove the hazing, and a fine polish to bring the gloss up.

Today's compounds and pads generally leave a finish as good as the medium step in the old days (or better), so the days of a 3-step are pretty much gone.

However, we seem to be having a lot of terminology problems of late where people count things as steps that IMO shouldn't be.

[BudgetPlan1]

To me a 3 step is a heavy compound , polish and ultra fine polish

Yep

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[Kamakaz1961]

To me a 3 step is a heavy compound , polish and ultra fine polish

Agreed with this one....Compound, Polish and (the 3rd Step) Jeweling Polish (or Ultra Fine Polish). Then LSP

[RaskyR1]

To me a 3 step is a heavy compound , polish and ultra fine polish

^^^
This

Modern abrasives (and to some extent pad technology) have for the most part eliminated 3-step corrections. Back in the old days if you had heavy defects you would start with a compound on some sort of cutting pad, that would leave the finish hazy. Then you would move to a medium polish to remove the hazing, and a fine polish to bring the gloss up.

Today's compounds and pads generally leave a finish as good as the medium step in the old days (or better), so the days of a 3-step are pretty much gone.

However, we seem to be having a lot of terminology problems of late where people count things as steps that IMO shouldn't be.

^^^
and This


It's rare a true 3-step is needed now days unless going for 100% correction, but I have had a couple this year.

Performing an additional polishing cycle with my 1st step followed by my finishing polish could also technically be viewed as a 3-step.

IMO a true 3-step is needed when the finish left behind by the initial compound (ex: rotary, twisted wool, heavy compound) is too much for the typical finishing polish to refine, thus an intermediate step is needed.

[Zubair]

The days of two steps seem to be heading the way of three steps...Dead and gone. Modern hard clear coats and fancy abrasives have made life easier.

[shadwell]

When you'r pulling back wet sand on harder pints you often end up in 3 stage territory..
Heavy cut wool rotary
Compound cut pad foam DA
Polish polish pad and DA
and sometimes jeweling on rotary thereafter..

But for regular correction 2 stage often gets you there..


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[ViGi]

If using heavy cutting wool pad, which in extremly neglected(scratched) paints or very hard paints is needed then is important to do a 2step with foam cuting pad then 3 step finishing.


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[AZpolisher15]

The days of two steps seem to be heading the way of three steps...Dead and gone. Modern hard clear coats and fancy abrasives have made life easier.

What are some specific products you'd put into the "fancy abrasive" (i.e. one-step) category? HD Speed is the only one I can think of at the moment that is routinely praised.

Or are you talking polishes such as PF2500, HD Adapt, etc?

(Oh, and fun seeing you "over here" 58LesPaul!)