Paint Correction

Paint correction is a term used by both professional and car enthusiasts alike to describe the process of restoring and rejuvenating the paintwork of a vehicle. These imperfections can include swirl marks, fine scratches, bird dropping, acid rain stains, and deep or surface scratches.

Paint Correction Process service

Our Paint Correction Package leaves your vehicle in elite condition and removes defects and flaws from the existing surface. Once the paint correction process is complete, our shop highly recommends adding a protective surface like paint protection film or ceramic pro.

Ceramic Pro 9H Permanent Bond


Ceramic Garage's Paint Protection Process

It is essential that all contaminants are removed before the paint correction process begins. Any remaining particles of dirt must be removed; otherwise, they can become attached to the polishing machine pad and damage the surface paint by causing scratches.

A Clay Bar Treatment

Once the clay bar decontamination is complete, we proceed to the correction and polishing stage. Polishing consists of numerous phases of abrasive compounds and the use of polishing pads to remove any imperfections from the paint. These imperfections include swirling, marring, scratches, wash lines, insect acids and more. Based on the unique condition of your vehicle, multiple stages of paint correction may be required.

Carwash service, washing of wheels with brush
Buffing and polishing car. Car detailing. Man holds a polisher in the hand and polishes the car

The clay bar process is crucial to achieving a smooth paint surface. A smooth surface allows the polishing machine to move freely over the exterior paint surface, reducing the likelihood of hopping or sticking of the polisher and causing scratches. The claying process also helps you to see the exact condition of your vehicles exterior paint visually.

The polishing process is usually a multistage process depending on the quality of the exterior paint. Different grades of polish are used depending on the condition and luster of your exterior paint. Rangers are from heavier cutting compounds, which remove the surface material, to a more delicate product which removes any marks and generally refine the finish. During the paint correction process, it is common for a paint depth gauge to be used.

The man is polishing dark color car with polish machine. Close-up view of a hands in orange gloves holding buffer

A paint depth gauge measures the thickness of the paint on the metal panel and is used before, during, and after the polishing process. The indicator monitors how much paint is removed. It’s crucial not to go too deep and remove too much paint, which would leave it too thin and cause irreversible damage such as a strike through to the metal. Particular halogen or LED lights which replicate direct sunlight on the surface of the paint are used during this process to monitor the condition of the paintwork and validate how successfully the surface scratches and imperfections are being removed.

Some scratches or imperfections may be too deep or severe to remove without the risk of removing surface paint safely. In this case, a technique with the machine polisher and a special polish compound that rounds off the edges of the scratches and makes them less visible in appearance indirect sunlight has to be used.

After correction, the panels are wiped down with isopropyl alcohol which removes any oils that may have been left over from the polish process. Isopropyl alcohol reveals a true finish, highlighting any areas that may have been missed or require further polishing. Upon completion of this process, the paintwork will shine brilliantly and produce stunning shiny reflections because there are no longer any imperfections on the exterior paint.

Ceramic Garage Paint Protection service in Modesto, CA

Our paint correction service is labor intensive and time-consuming. Consequently, it commands high premiums from professional detailers like ourselves to perform quality service in a timely manner when it comes to paint correction. Amateurs or car enthusiasts alike should only attempt to correct their own paintwork if they consider themselves an expert and are confident in doing so and can carry it out safely.

Why take the risk! Schedule your appointment today and leave your paint correction job to us, the experts.

Lastly, it is essential to distinguish between paintwork that has been truly corrected and paintwork that has been treated with products that are designed to mask and fill in surface imperfections, such as an all in one polish for example. This process should not be referred to as paint correction even if no scratches or blemishes are apparent, because they have not been genuinely removed and are still present under the products fillers, which in time, will wash away and reveal them once more.

For our paint correction service, we use Menzerna products, polishes, and buffing machine as well as Ceramic Pro products.

Do the job right the first time. Give Ceramic Garage a call at 209-718-7000 to schedule your appointment. Today!