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PAINT CORRECTION EXPLAINED: STAGES, COSTS & RESULTS

Paint correction is one of the most misunderstood services in the detailing world. Many people think it means repainting — it doesn't. Here's a clear explanation of what paint correction actually involves and what it can achieve for your car.

WHAT IS PAINT CORRECTION?

Paint correction is a machine polishing process that removes surface-level paint defects by safely levelling the clear coat. Using a rotary or dual-action polisher combined with cutting compounds and polishing pads, we remove swirl marks, scratches, oxidation, and water spots — restoring the paint to a clear, reflective finish.

WHAT CAN IT FIX?

• Swirl marks from improper washing technique
• Light to moderate scratches in the clear coat
• Oxidation and dull, faded paint
• Water spots and etching from bird droppings or acid rain
• Buffer trails from poor previous polishing work

THE THREE STAGES EXPLAINED

Stage 1 is a single-pass polish using a mild cutting compound — ideal for light swirling and surface marks. It's the most common starting point and costs from $590 for a small car.

Stage 2 is a two-pass process using a stronger compound followed by a refining polish. This is for more heavily marked paint — deeper swirls, significant dulling — and starts from $990.

Stage 3 is our full multi-stage correction — three machine polish passes including a jewelling stage to maximise depth, clarity and that sought-after wet-look finish. It's the choice for dark-coloured cars and show vehicles. From $1,390.

DOES PAINT CORRECTION REMOVE CLEAR COAT?

Yes — a tiny amount, which is why we always measure paint thickness beforehand to ensure there's enough clear coat to work safely. This is also why it's important to protect corrected paint afterwards with ceramic coating, to prevent future defects from forming.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Depending on the stage and the size of the vehicle, paint correction typically takes one to two full days. We require an in-person inspection before confirming pricing, as every car's paint condition is different.