Great post Dan!
I totally agree with what you are trying to understand.
LSP ready to some just means it is ready to wax or seal. Whether it is trying to remove some swirls, but the finish is still hazy, or a glaze it used to fill before the
LSP.
To me, this is what
LSP ready is.
1. Wash and clay and use a chemical solvent cleaner to release all the trapped dirt deep into the paint.
2. Remove all defects and oxidation using different compounds.
3. Remove all compounding swirls and give it a great bottom end base gloss.
4. Remove all ultrafine holograms and finnesse the paint to an all time high reflective gloss to the max.
5.Wipedown with solvent to make sure everything is 100% perfect to my liking under quad halogens and make sure the surface is 100% ready for bonding.
To me, it's all about bringing the gloss to the maximum peak without
LSP's.
LSP is just the protection and the added bonus to highlight my superb work.
Some people say their finish is
LSP ready... I say come hang out with me for 15 hours, I'll give you a whole new outlook on what perfection is without my
LSP.
But that's just my opinion.
There are different levels of
LSP ready too...
1. Customer budget.
2. Time
3. Season
4.
PC versus rotary
5. Newbie versus pro
6. Self claimed pro versus a machine polish master
7. Lighting
8. Experience
9. Trained eye
10. The list can go on and on.