PAINT CORRECTION
Paint Correction is the permanent removal of imperfections in your car's paint, revealing a perfect, deep, glossy shine—similar to, or even better than, the day your car left the factory. It is not merely a ‘cut or buff’ or 'cut and polish', services we do not endorse and find nonsensical, as many purported "detailers" may offer. Paint Correction is a comprehensive process that involves a complete transformation of your car’s paintwork, requiring considerable time and expertise. It is intended for customers seeking the highest quality finish for their vehicle.
Everyday wear and various paint imperfections, such as swirl marks, water spots, minor scratches, and bird etching marks, can leave your paint looking tired and dull, ultimately causing your car to lose its luster. Paint Correction can typically eliminate these issues without the high cost and inconvenience of a respray, restoring the feeling of having a brand-new car.
At Curley’s Shiny Reflection, we carefully inspect your vehicle to evaluate the condition and thickness of the paint before providing a recommendation and quotation. Our years of experience, combined with these assessments, enable us to give you an informative and accurate estimate of the time and cost associated with correcting your paintwork.
Proper preparation is also essential for achieving good results. Your car will undergo a snow foam wash to dissolve dirt and grime, be de-waxed to eliminate any old polishes or waxes that might be hiding additional defects, and be decontaminated to remove road
tar, tree sap, and other contaminants. We will then carefully tape sensitive areas using 3M automotive tape to protect the trim and rubber parts. This thorough preparation may take time, but it ensures the best possible results—something most other "detailers" neglect.
At Curley’s Shiny Reflection, we continuously research and collaborate with professional detailers locally as well as worldwide to improve and stay updated with advancements in paint technology. We use only the latest techniques, chemicals, and equipment from Germany, the USA, Japan, and South Korea. We proudly endorse the best global brands, such as Rupes, Menzerna, 3D Car Care, KochChemie, and JADE. These products are highly effective on nearly all paint finishes, including single-stage, clear coat, and even the latest ceramic-clear paint systems currently used by manufacturers like BMW. We utilize specialized lighting to bring out all paint imperfections, ensuring we focus on every area of your car; this lighting mimics sunlight, which reveals a vehicle's paintwork in its best or worst light.
After permanently renewing your paint, Curley’s Shiny Reflection will detail the remainder of the exterior and protect your paint using wax, paint sealant, premium wax, or paint protection coatings of your choice. This final step ensures a deep, clear gloss that lasts longer and makes it easier for you to maintain an immaculate vehicle.
Once completed professionally, good paint correction can last for many years and does not need to be repeated frequently. Proper washing, protection, and maintenance are crucial for keeping your paint in excellent condition.
Here at CSR, the paint correction process generally proceeds as follows:
1. Snow foam as a pre-wash to loosen up contaminants.
2. A 2-bucket hand wash with a grit guard to ensure the wash mitt remains dirt-free.
3. High-pressure rinse.
4. The car is dried using a microfiber weave drying towel; we do not recommend using chamois ("shammy") as this is a
major cause of swirl marks.
5. Application of an iron-removing agent, such as Iron Zero from TAC System, to eliminate bonded iron (ferrous)
contaminants.
6. Application of fine/medium-grade clay bar treatment to remove any remaining contaminants.
7. Measuring the paint thickness with a Paint Thickness Gauge to ensure there is enough paint to work with.
8. Inspection of the paintwork and conducting a test spot before proceeding; this step is crucial. Many "detailers" skip this
and opt for the heaviest approach to save time.
9. Professionally wet sanding the car if necessary.
10. Multiple stages of machine polishing using rotary or dual-action (DA) polishers to remove paint defects as illustrated in
the accompanying diagram.
11. Application of a Last Step Product (LSP) to protect the perfect paintwork. This is done following the machine polishing stages.
Options for LSP on top of paint correction include:
- Wax
- Sealant
- Premium wax
- Paint Protection Coatings
Pricing is available upon request (PAUR), based on inspection.
Paint correction may require one day or more, depending on the condition of the paint. Poorly maintained paint can take several days to achieve a perfect finish, often resulting in a better appearance than it did when new.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Paint Correction
How do we evaluate your paint’s condition?
We start by using a Paint Thickness Gauge, which measures the overall thickness of your paint in microns.
These professional gauges are worth hundreds or thousands of dollars and provide valuable information about the paint's history. Additionally, we use our extensive detailing experience and xenon light to check if the car has been resprayed or repaired, as these factors are significant.
How long does Paint Correction take?
The duration depends entirely on the current state of your paint. Some minor corrections may take two days, while significant corrections for badly weathered and worn paint can require six to seven days—resulting in up to 50 hours of polishing, refinement, and finishing for a single car.
How much does Paint Correction cost?
The cost of Paint Correction is dictated by the time and quality of service required, so it varies based on the specifics of your vehicle. Please consult with us regarding getting your car’s paint corrected, as the process for a Toyota differs from that of a BMW.
Does Paint Correction remove a lot of paint and endanger my car?
If performed by true professionals like those at Curley’s Shiny Reflection—who are knowledgeable about paint types, hardness, depth, and use only the best car care products and modern techniques—then no, it should not. Most imperfections exist within the first 5-10 microns of the paint/clear coat, while modern cars typically have 150-220 microns of paint. When the correct techniques are applied, paint removal is minimal and uniform; conversely, many cars have had excessive amounts of paint removed unevenly by unqualified ‘detailers’ and car washes that offer cheap ‘cut and polish’ services.
Does polishing a car with a machine leave holograms and swirl marks?
Incorrect. When car paint is polished poorly, using inadequate technique, inexpensive products, dirty pads, or insufficient preparation, holograms, buffer trails, or swirl marks can appear in the paint and be visible in sunlight. At Curley’s Shiny Reflection, we properly prepare the paint surface, utilize only the best products, and rely on our years of experience—guaranteeing and delivering results.
Why don’t you offer Stage 1 or 2 details?
Some detailers advertise stage 1, 2, or 3 detailing/correction/enhancements. We do not believe in this approach for detailing or paint correction. The reality is that the paint on your car will be in varying conditions across different areas and panels. For example, the paint on your hood may be in worse shape than that on your doors due to harsher conditions. Thus, achieving quality results may require additional time and multiple polishing stages with various products and techniques. While one stage might suffice for some areas, it would not be effective for all. We analyze and treat every section of your car with a targeted approach, ensuring a consistent finish across all panels—some requiring one or two stages while others may need four or five for the same outcome. We only use Stage 1/2/3/4 details in our portfolio for reference regarding paintwork severity and the extent of correction undertaken.
Many companies, small businesses, and individuals may claim they can polish a car, but sadly, the results often fall short—leaving dangerously low paint levels, visible marks from buffing, or temporary fixes that fail to address the original issues. When it comes to paint correction and polishing, you truly need a specialist.
Click here or fill out an inquiry form on this page to schedule a free paint assessment and discuss your next paint correction!
