WHAT IS PAINT CORRECTION & DO YOU NEED IT?

With the large number of car detailing and paint protection services today, getting your vehicle to shine has never been easier. An hour at a car detailing shop can turn your vehicle into gleaming condition. But within the influx of techniques out there, there’s also the art of paint correction.

So, what is paint correction, and do you need it? Find out below:

DOES PAINT CORRECTION REMOVE SCRATCHES?

Yes, it does. Paint correction is a exterior detailing method that can remove most or all of the scratches on your vehicle’s body paint. This method works by smoothing out your car’s body paint layer. This is the layer of paint on top of your car’s body panels. It is the layer that gets scratched out with all the imperfections.

All the scratches will be reduced once the auto detailer levels them out. Now, depending on how bad the scratches are, this will reduce the thickness of the body paint layer. The result is that you lose up to 85% of your vehicles scratches, holograms, spots and minor oxidations.

This can make it shine like no other.

IS POLISHING AND PAINT CORRECTION THE SAME?

No, these are two different processes with the same goal. Polishing is when abrasive chemicals are used to level out smaller scratches and contaminations on your paint job. Paint correction on the other hand is a strenuous one-off treatment that results in your vehicle’s clear coat becoming thinner.

Polishing is also done along with two different processes: buffing and waxing. After buffing, the car is polished, and then waxed for sealing the paint. This can be a simple procedure done after your regular car wash and it isn’t a luxury like correcting paint.

Paint correction is a lengthy procedure that requires your car to be completely decontaminated, then polished, and freed of any sealants. After this, it is thoroughly checked for the damages on the paintwork. Different scratches will require their own levels of attention and solutions.

STAGES OF PAINT CORRECTION

There are many different car paint correction treatments available on the market today. These options may be done in one, two, or three stages, with a one-stage correction being the most basic. Deciding which stage will offer the appropriate correction for your vehicle will depend on your paint type and condition.

Stage-One

Stage 1 car paint detailing refers to the process of polishing the paint on your vehicle in a single step. Technicians only use one buffing agent and one pad. This stage is considered to be a refining process that only eliminates the most minor imperfections. Stage 1 paint correction is done with a minimally abrasive finishing pad that will not remove swirl marks.

Stage-Two

The Stage 2 treatment is a good intermediate option. It is suitable for use on vehicles that have minor scratches and moderate swirl marks. The treatment is known as a two-stage process because two different pads and polishes are utilized. The first stage uses a more abrasive pad and a cutting polish that removes the imperfections.

After the cutting stage is complete, a smoother polishing pad and finishing polish will be applied to your vehicle. The finishing stage serves to remove holograms and marring that remained after the cutting stage. Like Stage 1, Stage 2 concludes with a wax sealant to protect your newly refinished paint job.

Stage-Three

The most advanced car scratch repair option is a Stage 3 paint correction. The second and third stages of this treatment are the same as those found in a Stage 2 paint correction treatment. However, a heavy cutting agent and a courser pad are used first. These tools are more abrasive than the standard cutting agent and are designed to remove deep scratches and marring.

If necessary, three-stage auto paint correction can also include spot wet sanding at the site of deep scratches. If sanding is required, it will be done before any of the polishing stages. After all of the stages are completed, a sealant will be applied to protect the paint.

IS A PAINT CORRECTION WORTH IT?

Paint correction does have several advantages. The first one is obviously that it will make your car look great. Darker coloured vehicles will look and shine even better after a paint correction. Other than that, it greatly maintains your car’s resale value.

However, it is important to know that a great paint correction job can be pricey. This is simply due to the long hours (or days) that one can take. You’ll also have to take good care of the car to maintain it. Sometimes, a paintjob may be so neglected and ruined that only a repaint can get the job done.

So, if you don’t see your vehicle more than a tool to take you from A to B, or are on a strict budget, it’s better to go for another detailing method. Otherwise, you should know that a paint correction job will be completely worth the time when your car is transformed into a thing of beauty.

HOW MUCH DOES PAINT CORRECTION COST?

To accurately determine your paint correction costs, you must consider the correction stage you will need, your vehicle’s overall size, and your car’s paint type and condition. The more stages that are involved in the correction process, the more expensive the treatment will be. A single-stage correction treatment will typically cost around $400 or more, while three-stage treatments will cost upwards of $1,000.

PROTECTING YOUR CAR’S PAINT

While professional paint correction is an excellent way to restore your car to its former glory, it will not last forever. The wax sealant will wear over time, and your vehicle will again be at the mercy of the weather. Fortunately, you can take some extra steps to keep your vehicle looking great.

One of the best options to protect your vehicle is to apply a ceramic coating. Ceramic coating is made from a clear polymer that bonds with your vehicle’s surface at a molecular level. This bond means that the ceramic coating will last for years.

Ceramic coating guards against scratches, chemical etching, extreme heat, UV light, and corrosion. Ceramic coating even makes your vehicle hydrophobic, which means that water will bead off of your vehicle.

DIY vs. Professional Paint Correction

You might think that the costs of a paint correct are due to expensive materials being used. In reality, the polish and pads are relatively affordable. The real thing you are paying for is a professional’s expertise, as a high-quality paint correction requires skill and time. A three-stage correction can take a full day or more.

Many drivers make the mistake of attempting a DIY paint correction at home in their garage. However, when a car owner uses the wrong pad or polish, the result can be hundreds of dollars in damages.

Do not risk making your vehicle’s paint any worse. Leave paint correction treatments to the professionals at Auto Cosmetics. Let us give your vehicle a facelift. We guarantee the best prices around and we even offer free consultation. book yours today!