Why Is Black Paint More Expensive to Polish?

Polishing black paint on cars is more expensive primarily because black paint shows imperfections much more easily compared to lighter colours so achieving a flawless finish requires a lot more work. Paint correction on black vehicles often demands multiple polishing stages to achieve a flawless finish. This typically includes compounding to remove deeper defects, refining to smooth out the surface, and finishing to bring out a deep, mirror-like gloss. Because black paint highlights even the slightest imperfection, we must take extra care by inspecting the surface under various light sources—such as LED, halogen, and natural light—to catch any remaining swirl marks or uneven polishing.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate all visible defects without leaving behind holograms or buffer trails, which are particularly noticeable on dark-colored paint and can ruin the overall appearance if not properly addressed. Black paint requires precision which means using only high-quality tools and products that deliver consistent results without causing additional damage. The process also requires working at a slower pace to maintain full control and avoid errors. Additionally, we must closely monitor panel temperatures to ensure the surface doesn’t get too hot, which could lead to burning the clear coat—a costly and often irreversible mistake.