Do You REALLY Need to Polish Before Ceramic Coating?

Do you always need to polish before applying a ceramic coating? The answer might surprise you. In this podcast episode, I break down the pros and cons of polishing first, as well as what happens if you skip it and go straight to a ceramic coating.

Whether you’re a DIY car enthusiast or a professional detailer, understanding the trade-offs can save you time, money, and effort—and help you decide what’s best for your car.

We’ll cover:

• What polishing actually does for your paint

• The benefits of polishing before ceramic coating

• The drawbacks of polishing (time, cost, risk)

• The advantages of skipping polish

• Why skipping polish might not give you the results you want

• Real-world scenarios: new cars, daily drivers, show cars, and lease returns

• A balanced approach that works for most people

By the end, you’ll know whether polishing before coating is a must—or if you can safely skip it.

Products I Mention in This Video

Picture Perfect Polish (one-step compound & polish):
Jimbo's: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/picture-perfect-polish
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4meeU2H

Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray (spray-on protection):
Jimbo's: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/hard-as-shell-ceramic-spray
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mlqN6V

Gloss Boss (wipe-on ceramic coating, up to 5 years of protection):
Jimbo's: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/gloss-boss

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Watch more detailing videos here: https://www.youtube.com/jbalaam