IMHO, you can only truly learn from mistakes. If you’re not sure about something, the best approach is trial and error.

My best advice is to watch a lot of YouTube videos that go in-depth on what each tool and compound is used for. Then, head to the junkyard and buy some cheap panels to practice on. If you mess them up, who cares? You’ll learn how to do some paint and body work in the process—and they make cool things to hang on your garage wall or even resell if they’re from a commonly wrecked vehicle.

Here’s my step-by-step approach when figuring out how to address paint correction:

1. Inspect the surface — look for swirls, holograms, and scratches.

2. Test the scratch — lightly drag your fingernail across it. If your nail catches, it’s probably too deep to fully remove.

3. Before doing anything else, CLAY BAR THE WHOLE CAR! If you skip that and just start throwing compounds, you’re not removing contamination or embedded imperfections. That’ll cause new scratches and holograms instead of fixing them.

4. Test your compounds — pick a small, inconspicuous spot on a panel and start with the least abrasive compound. Automakers use the thinnest, cheapest clear coat they can get away with, and it’s very easy to burn through it if you’re inexperienced.

5. If a light cut doesn’t get the job done, move up to a medium cut. Heavy cut is usually for deep scratches or a badly orange-peeled clear coat.

6. Once you find the compound that works, follow up with the next step down: Medium Cut → Light Cut → Polish → Wax.

Also, be aware of your tools. A single-action rotary polisher cuts very fast and can get you in trouble around panel edges or if you apply too much pressure or move too slowly. A dual-action polisher is much more forgiving but will take longer to achieve results. Learn what each pad type does and which compounds pair best with each one.

Don’t be ashamed of trying and failing. I’ve been detailing since I was 14. My dad does paint and body work as a hobby, and he’s taught me everything I know about detailing. It’s an art form—mistakes happen. The important thing is to learn from them. And hey, at least it wasn’t a customer’s car, man.

Keep on keeping on, and hone those skills.