Paint Inspection Before Ceramic Coating: What to Record
Create a useful record of paint condition, repairs and agreed correction limits before preparation and coating begin.
Updated · NANOLAB Knowledge
Record evidence under clean conditions
Start with overall photographs, then inspect the cleaned vehicle under appropriate light. Note scratches, dents, chips, haze, staining and suspected repair areas. Identify delicate edges and any failing finish that may be unsuitable for normal correction.
Use clear panel names and close-up photos so the record can be understood later. Lighting and camera exposure should show the condition rather than exaggerate or hide it.
Combine observations
Where appropriate, use a suitable calibrated paint-thickness instrument and record its limitations. A reading may describe the total coating stack above the substrate rather than the clear coat alone. Do not treat one number as permission for aggressive polishing.
Ask about previous repairs, protection and maintenance products. Unknown history should lead to a more cautious test process, not an invented explanation for every mark.
Agree on boundaries before work
Define which defects will be addressed and which may remain. Record separate treatment plans for matte areas, film and repaired panels. If inspection reveals a problem outside the quote, resolve it before coating. This makes the final handover more useful: the owner can compare the actual starting condition with the agreed improvement and understand what the new protective layer covers.
