Paint correction is a term thrown around a lot in the auto detailing industry. It is not a service everyone needs and it’s important to understand how it differs from exterior detailing. In this article I will discuss where to find the service, how it works, who should consider it, and tips for finding the best shop. I will also share my experience with the shop that does paint correction near me.
Paint Correction Near Me
If you are looking for “Paint Correction Near Me”, see the map below…
What is Paint Correction?
Paint correction is synonymous with paint restoration and paint rejuvenation, they all mean the same thing. Paint correction is the removal of imperfections from the vehicles painted surface. It is more of a smoothing and buffing down of the clear coat more then an actual correction to the paint. Recently it has become very popular because of new technology in diminishing abrasives and special equipment coming to market.
Paint correction is typically offered as a stand alone service is not included in your automotive detailing. It is an extremely labor intensive service and that is why it is not included in a basic or advanced car detail. Because of the time required it also commands a high price which can cost more then twice what a high end detail costs.
How the Paint Correction Near Me Works…
Every shop literally does this service differently. There are no standards for performing the work. Additionally, the process is tailored for your vehicle, so even the tools and techniques vary from one automobile to the next. The process should always be based on your specific issue.
While there are no standards from one shop to the next, here are some basics that the shop that does paint correction near me does. Most detailers will have a process that fits around these same steps:
Wash and Prep
Before the service can be done, the vehicle needs to be prepped. This starts with a hand wash of the exterior to rid the vehicle of any loose dirt and debris. Then the vehicle gets clay bared which is done to remove any bonded surface contaminants like sap and tar.
The wash and clay bar step is critical to the process. If any excess debris were to be left on the vehicle and got swooped up in the buffer machine, it could cause more damage and scratches to the panels surface. The more clean the painted surfaces are, the easier the buffer will flow over the panels. Also the clay barring process really lets you see the true surface for what it is, this is the first step in accessing how much paint restoration is needed.
Surface Compounding
This is the part that takes hours. It is done in an extremely tedious manner. It is a process of compound and inspect, compound and inspect…
This is a multi-stage process where a variety of compounds are used from heavy, to remove more surface material, and fine grain, to remove marks created by the heavy compound. This is like a polishing process on your clear coat, it is taking systematic process of buffing down your clear coat to smooth it out.
Quality Control
Many detailers will use a paint gauge to determine how deep they need to go. They will measure the paint depth along the way so that they don’t go to deep and cause damage beneath the clear coat to the actual paint. They also will look at the panels under a halogen or LED lights to try and replicate sunlight and see how the surface reflects. This helps to see if there are any imprecations left that need more compounding work.
If a scratch is too deep and can’t be removed without further damage alternate techniques are applied with a polishing machine and products to mnimize the visibility of the issues in the light.
Shine and Finish
When compounding and inspection conclude, all the painted surfaces are wiped down with isopropyl alcohol. This is to ensure that any oils left by the polishing compounds are removed. It also may reveal some areas that need more work, which will send those panels back into the compounding phase.
After the isopropyl alcohol is applied, the surface should reveal it’s true luster. Without any scratches or imperfections in the clear coat, you should see your reflection in the panel.
Next some detailers will apply a ceramic coating, which creates a hydroponic layer on the painted surface. This seals in the shine and makes washing your vehicle really easy to get a shine. A coating like this will last up to six months.
Do I Need Paint Correction?
When does a car need paint correction? When it has swirls and spider webs in the clear coat.
If you look at your panels in the sunlight you will see millions of tiny swirls and scratches. The lite is reflecting off of them in different directions which allows you to see them. There are actually cars in dealer show rooms that need paint correction. This is because someone wipes the car down every day which causes millions of micro scratches in the clear coat.
Getting your car cleaned and needing paint correction are two different things. It comes down to how much you care about the look of your paint. Let’s be honest, do you want a clean car or are you looking for a vibrant paint job that you can see your reflection in.
Don’t let a shop convince you to pay for paint correction if you are just looking to have your vehicle exterior detailed. This is a service for people who want there paint to look perfect and glow, it is the next step beyond having a washed and waxed car. Since it is expensive to have done and the average vehicle needs it, many detailers push people to do it who probably don’t care enough to have a pristine polished panel. It is absolutely not required!!
When it becomes neccessary is when you for example want to have a protective film like clear bra applied. If you go in and ask for clear bra, they may tell you, that paint correction is required first so that it looks good underneath the clear bra.
Paint Correction vs Exterior Detailing
Detailers who claim to do paint correction don’t always do it, but they will charge you for it. It is really expensive and therefore everyone wants to hit you in the pocket for the service. The difference between a detailing and a paint correction are obvious after a few washes. If you vehicle has only been detailed, then all the scratches and imperfections are going to pop back up in a few weeks and really show themselves after about 3 months.. A paint correction service should last for 6 to 8 months.
Exterior Detailing
Exterior detailing is the process of cleaning all surfaces on the exterior of the vehicle. It involves a hand wash to remove contaminants like sap, tar, and brake dust, a one step polish and compound, and then finishes with a sealant like wax to lock in the finish. It is a great service for newer vehicles and vehicles that have their exterior maintenance maintained.
An exterior detail should take about 2-4 hours when done right. At the conclusion your vehicle should have a nice shine and luster. A good detailing service should keep your vehicle looking good for about 3 months, before you need a detailing service again.
Paint Correction
This is the process of leveling the clear coat to remove the imperfections that cause the swirl and spider wed look in the light. These blemishes are caused via containments in the rain, water spots, paint over spray, micro scratches from washing, oxidation, bird droppings, etc. Paint correction can take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours depending on how much is needed and the vehicle size.
The process involves different sizes and power of buffing machines, various levels of diminishing abrasives, various compounds and even sometimes sand paper. A good paint correction job should last 6 to 8 months if sealed correctly.
Selecting a Shop for Paint Correction Near Me
Choosing a shop is a big deal. Everyone who claims they do it, doesn’t necessarily do it well. Here is some guidance that I followed to find the shop that does paint correction near me.
- Do research, read reviews, and get price quotes.
- Look online for independent pictures by the shops customers of before and after paint correction.
- Don’t take the detailers word for the fact they perform the service ask to know what their process is.
- Ask for a customer reference you can call.
- If they claim 10 years of experience, they better have a lot of before and after service pictures to provide. Make them prove it.
Paint Correction Near Me – Wrap Up
Paint correction is really expensive and choosing the right shop should not be taken lightly. Do your research and understand what goes into this process and what you should expect coming out. This service is not for everyone. Don’t let some detailing shop sell you on it like it must be done. Every car on the road could pretty much use this service, you need to be in the category of auto enthusiast to have this service done. While you could do it on your own, it is very time intensive and you could do more damage to your painted surfaces. This is what I have learned from the shop that does paint correction near me.