Paint Correction   Brought to You

What paint correction is

Automotive paint correction is the process of carefully leveling a very small amount of clear coat with a machine polisher and abrasive polishes so that light reflects evenly again. Defects like swirls and scratches are tiny valleys in the clear coat that scatter light — that is why paint looks cloudy in the sun. Correcting them refines the surface rather than covering it, which is what separates real correction from a glaze or wax that only masks defects for a few weeks.

What it can improve

• Swirl marks and wash-induced marring from automatic car washes
• Light scratches that do not catch your fingernail
• Oxidation and chalky, faded-looking paint
• Water spot etching, when the etching has not gone too deep
• General dullness and lack of reflection or depth

Results depend on the condition of the paint and how deep each defect goes. Deep scratches through the clear coat, rock chips, and cracked or previously repainted panels cannot be polished out, and we will not promise to remove every scratch. What we will do is tell you honestly what to expect for your specific vehicle before we start.

Polishing versus true correction

A single-stage polish is a gloss enhancement: one pass with a lighter polish that removes some shallow marring and adds noticeable shine. True multi-stage correction adds a cutting step before the finishing polish to remove a much higher percentage of defects, and it takes considerably more time. Most daily drivers in the New Orleans area look excellent after a one-step polish; show cars, dark colors, and heavily swirled paint benefit from multi-stage work.

When correction makes sense

It is worth doing when the vehicle is clean but the paint still looks tired, when you are preparing a car for sale or for a show, or before applying long-term protection. Paint correction is also the correct first step before a coating: sealing in swirls locks them under the protection for years. If your vehicle just needs to be clean, start with an exterior or full detail instead.

What to expect

Correction begins with a decontamination wash so nothing is dragged across the paint. We then test a small area to find the least aggressive combination that produces good results, polish panel by panel, and finish with a protectant so the fresh surface is not left bare. Because every vehicle is different, paint correction is quoted after we see photos or the car itself — size, color, and defect severity all change the time involved.

Service area

We perform paint correction in Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans, LaPlace, Destrehan, Marrero, and the surrounding Greater New Orleans area. Check our service area map or see before and after paint work. Many customers pair correction with a ceramic coating to protect the finish afterward.