Lesson 4: Hands on the Hood – Mastering Surface Restoration Techniques

In this final practical training, Mel guides students through advanced, hands-on correction on demonstration hoods finished with modern paint systems. Participants learn to revive wet-sanded panels, refine deep scratches, and restore mirror gloss with rotary and orbital tools. Through meticulous demonstrations, Mel showcases proper pad priming, cross-hatch technique, and pressure control, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and consistency. He reinforces the importance of testing, cleanliness, and using professionally prepared panels to reflect real paint behavior—not artificial results. This immersive session bridges the gap between theory and mastery, empowering students to perform top-tier paint correction that rivals factory finishes. By the end of this lesson, detailers understand not just how to correct paint—but why every decision matters to achieve perfection.