It is also finite. Clear coat is thin, and every correction consumes a little of it. Good correction work means removing the defect with the least aggressive method that will do the job.
How we assess paint
We inspect under focused lighting to see what is actually there, and on higher-value or previously repainted vehicles we measure paint thickness. Then we run a test section: a small area corrected with a chosen pad and compound combination to establish what the paint responds to before committing to the whole car.
That test section is also how we set expectations with you. You see the corrected area next to the uncorrected area and decide how far you want to go.
Defects correction addresses
- Swirl marks and wash-induced marring, the most common defect on daily drivers
- Oxidation and dullness from prolonged UV exposure
- Water spot etching from sprinkler overspray and hard water
- Light scratches that do not catch a fingernail
- Buffer trails and holograms left by previous poor polishing
One-step versus multi-step
A one-step correction uses a single compound-and-pad combination to make a large improvement quickly, typically recovering a majority of gloss and clarity. A multi-step correction uses successive cutting and refining stages for a much higher level of defect removal, and takes considerably longer.
For most Sacramento daily drivers, a one-step delivers the best value. For dark-colored cars, show vehicles and anything about to be ceramic coated for the long term, multi-step is worth the additional time.
Protect it afterward
Corrected paint is bare and unprotected. It should always be sealed or coated immediately afterward, and washed carefully going forward. Sending a freshly corrected car through an automatic brush wash undoes hours of work in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Will paint correction remove deep scratches?
If a scratch catches your fingernail it has gone through the clear coat and cannot be safely polished out. It can be improved in appearance, not erased.
How long does it take?
A one-step correction is typically most of a day. Multi-step correction commonly spans two days depending on vehicle size and paint condition.
Can paint be corrected repeatedly?
Only a limited number of times over a vehicle's life, because each correction removes clear coat. Careful washing between corrections is what preserves that budget.
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