High spot (ceramic coating)
Quick answer: A high spot is a patch of ceramic coating that cured thicker than intended because excess residue wasn’t levelled off in time. It looks like a smudge, dark patch, rainbow smear or sticky sheen under raking light and usually needs prompt levelling – or light polishing if fully cured.
What it means
During application the coating flashes, leaving a thin film. If product pools, overlaps, or the wipe-off misses an area, that residue “stands proud” and cures as a thicker, uneven patch. High spots disrupt clarity and water behaviour. If caught within the open/flash window they can be re-wet and levelled; once cured they must be abraded and, if needed, re-coated locally.
Why it matters
- Appearance: visible smears or dark patches in certain angles and lighting.
- Uniformity: proud patches trap dust and bead differently, spoiling consistency.
- Rework cost: cured high spots add polishing time and risk haloing if not blended well.
- Customer confidence: obvious patches undermine the perceived quality of the install.
Where you’ll see it
Edges and overlaps (handles, badges, panel edges), hot or slow-flash conditions, and anywhere section sizes were too large or towels were saturated.
Context
Car Paint Protection; Ceramic coatings; Application defects
How to fix (at a glance)
- Still within open window (fresh): lightly re-wet the patch with a drop of coating on an applicator, wait a few seconds, then level with a short-nap towel and finish with a second clean towel.
- Just set (minutes to ~1 hour): mist a small amount of the maker’s panel wipe onto a towel (not the paint) and massage gently; if unchanged, re-wet with coating as above and level.
- Fully cured: spot-polish the area (fine/medium polish, small pad), panel wipe, then feather a thin re-application to blend behaviour. Protect per cure guidance.
Common mistakes
- Trying to “buff out” a cured high spot with QD – once cured, abrasion is required.
- Over-wiping a large area late, dragging semi-cured product and creating smears elsewhere.
- Working sections too big for the ambient temperature and humidity.
- Using saturated or mixed-fibre towels that leave lint and miss residue.
- Ignoring edges and complex shapes where product pools (badges, handles, panel lines).
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 07/11/2025 15:20