First establish which finish is present

Gloss paint may look dull because of contamination, oxidation, wash damage or polishing haze. A factory matte or satin finish is different and must not be polished to create gloss.

Correct only what the paint supports

Gloss paint is washed, decontaminated and tested before correction. Compound strength and number of stages follow defect depth, film build and previous repairs rather than a fixed sequence.

Failed clear coat cannot be restored by polishing. Matte finishes need material-specific cleaning and protection, with local defects often requiring specialist paint repair.

Where gloss correction succeeds, a compatible protection system can support the result without guaranteeing permanent shine.