Between color and clearcoat, why is light scuffing performed?

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Light scuffing between the color and the clearcoat creates a mechanical key for the clearcoat to grip. By lightly abrading the surface, you roughen it at the microscopic level, increasing surface area and providing anchor points so the clearcoat can mechanically interlock and adhere more effectively. This process is about bonding strength, not changing the color or removing contaminants, and it must be gentle enough not to remove or dull the basecoat. The goal is controlled roughness that helps the clearcoat bond reliably, rather than altering color or modifying the material’s hardness.