How to Know if Your Vehicle Needs Paint Correction
Not sure if your car needs paint correction? It’s pretty easy to tell. The best way is to look at your car under direct sunlight or a bright light source. If you see a network of fine, circular scratches that look like a spiderweb, you're seeing swirl marks. These are usually caused by improper washing and drying techniques.
Here are a few other signs to look for:
- Dull or Faded Paint: Does your vehicle lack the deep gloss it once had? Oxidation can make the paint appear chalky or faded.
- Fine Scratches: These are light, straight-line scratches that are visible in the clear coat but not deep enough to feel with your fingernail.
- Holograms or Buffer Trails: These are hazy, rainbow-like patterns left behind by inexperienced polishing.
- Water Spots: Mineral deposits from hard water can etch into the paint, leaving stubborn spots that won’t wash off.
If you notice any of these issues, a professional paint correction service is exactly what you need to bring back that new car shine.
Our Paint Correction Packages
Level 1 Paint Correction
Starting At Prices:
SEDANS
$415
SUVS
$435
XL SUVS
$485
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This Packages Includes:
- Basic Exterior Wash
- Paint decontamination
- Ceramic sealant applied
- Provides up to 1 year of protection
- Finishing polish
- Removes minor imperfections & blemishes from exterior
Level 2 Paint Correction
Starting At Prices:
SEDANS
$675
SUVS
$735
XL SUVS
$935
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This Packages Includes:
- Basic Exterior Wash
- Paint decontamination
- 1 step (or stage) polishing
- We aim for 50%+ defect removal
- Ceramic sealant applied
- Provides up to 1 year of protection
Level 3 Paint Correction
Starting At Prices:
SEDANS
$1,350
SUVS
$1,470
XL SUVS
$1,870
Click below to expand ⇩
This Packages Includes:
- Basic Exterior Wash
- Paint decontamination
- 2 step (or stage) compound and polish
- We aim for 75%+ defect removal
- Ceramic sealant
- Provides up to 1 year of protection
The JREK Autocare Paint Correction Process
A perfect finish isn't achieved with shortcuts. Our paint correction process is intensive and demands high skill, something our certified technicians excel at.
Thorough Decontamination
We start with an in-depth wash to remove all loose dirt and grime. We then use a clay bar and iron removers to pull embedded contaminants from the clear coat, leaving a perfectly clean surface.
Paint Assessment
Our technicians carefully inspect the paint under specialized lighting to identify the types and severity of the imperfections.
Multi-Stage Polishing
This is where the magic happens. We use a combination of machine polishers, pads, and professional compounds to carefully remove a microscopic layer of the clear coat. This process eliminates swirls, scratches, and oxidation. We typically perform multiple polishing stages to refine the finish to a mirror-like shine.
Final Polish and Inspection
A final, ultra-fine polish is used to maximize gloss and clarity. The vehicle is then wiped down with a special solution to remove any polishing oils, and we conduct a final inspection under various light sources to ensure a perfect result.
The Perfect First Step for Other Services
Paint correction is more than just a standalone service; it's the essential first step before applying any long term surface treatment. Think of it like priming a wall before you paint it. You need a perfectly smooth and clean surface for the best results. If you apply a coating over swirls and scratches, you’re just sealing in the imperfections.
By performing a paint correction first, we ensure that your vehicle's paint is as flawless as possible. This allows treatments like a
ceramic coating or
paint protection film to bond directly and properly to the clear coat. This creates a stronger bond, maximizes the visual impact of the coating, and ensures the longevity of the service. Starting with paint correction guarantees you get the most value and best performance from your investment in vehicle care.
What Paint Correction Doesn't Do
Paint correction is great, but it’s not magic. It won't fix everything. For example, it can't fix deep scratches that go past your car's clear coat and into the paint or primer. Think of it like a cut on your skin – if it's just on the surface, a good cream might help. But if it's deep, you'll need stitches (or, for your car, touch-ups or repainting).
What it does do is remove imperfections that are within the clear coat itself, like swirls and light scratches, to bring back the shine. If you're unsure what your car needs, just ask us. We'll give you an honest answer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paint Correction
What’s the difference between polishing and waxing?
Polishing, or paint correction, is an abrasive process that physically removes a very thin layer of the clear coat to eliminate imperfections. Waxing is a non-abrasive process that adds a temporary layer on top of the paint for shine and minimal defense against the elements. A wax will hide minor swirls, but a polish removes them.
Will paint correction remove all scratches?
Paint correction can remove imperfections that are in the clear coat layer of the paint. It can remove swirl marks, light scratches, water spots, and oxidation. However, if a scratch is deep enough that you can feel it with your fingernail, it has likely gone through the clear coat and will require a more advanced repair.
How long does paint correction take?
The time required depends heavily on the size of the vehicle and the condition of the paint. A single-stage polish on a well-maintained car might take a few hours, while a multi-stage correction on a vehicle with heavy swirls could take one to three days.
Do I need to do anything after my car is paint corrected?
After a paint correction, the paint is pristine but bare. It’s the perfect time to add a durable layer of defense. We highly recommend applying a ceramic coating or Paint Protection Film (PPF) to lock in the flawless finish and make future maintenance much easier.
Can paint correction fix peeling clear coat?
No. Peeling or failing clear coat is a sign of paint system failure. Paint correction cannot fix this issue. The only solution for peeling clear coat is to have the panel repainted by a professional body shop.
