Paint Correction in Portland, OR
Multi stage machine polishing that cuts down swirl marks, oxidation, and water spots to bring back clarity in the clear coat.
Paint correction is the process of leveling the clear coat with a machine polisher to remove the fine scratches, swirl marks, and etching that build up from years of washing, sun exposure, and mineral deposits in water. Portland's rain carries enough mineral content that water spots left to dry on a dark colored car will etch into the clear coat if they sit long enough, and that etching does not come out with a wash or a wax.
The work starts with a paint depth reading, because there is only so much clear coat on the car and every pass of correction removes a small amount of it. From there it is a test spot on one panel to figure out which pad and compound combination actually cuts the defects without burning the paint or leaving holograms behind.
Done poorly, correction leaves uneven gloss, burned edges near trim, or a hazy finish that looks worse under direct sun than it did before. Done right, the paint gets a depth and clarity that a wash and wax alone cannot produce, because those defects are physically ground into the surface.
How a paint correction job runs
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Measure and inspect
Paint thickness is checked panel by panel so the correction stays within a safe margin.
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Test spot
A small area is corrected first to confirm the right combination of pad and compound for that paint.
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Compound
A cutting compound removes the deeper swirl marks, oxidation, and water spot etching.
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Polish and refine
A finer polish brings back clarity and gloss and removes any haze left by the compounding stage.
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Inspect under light
The car is checked under direct and raking light to confirm the defects are actually gone, not just hidden.
Questions we get asked
Will correction remove deep scratches?
It depends how deep they go. Light swirl marks and surface scratches respond well, but anything that has gone through the clear coat into the base color will still show as a line, just less noticeable.
How many stages of correction do I need?
That comes down to the current condition of the paint. Light swirling might only need a single polishing stage, while heavier oxidation or water spot etching usually needs a compounding stage first.
Should I get a ceramic coating right after correction?
That is the ideal order. Correcting the paint first means the coating locks in a clean, defect free surface instead of sealing swirl marks and etching underneath it.
How long does a ceramic coating last?
We offer a 5 year and a 9 year ceramic coating package. How long yours actually lasts comes down to how the car is washed and looked after once the coating is on.
What does a ceramic coating do?
It bonds to your clear coat and adds a hard, water repelling layer. It protects against UV, dirt, road grime and water spots, it deepens the gloss, and it makes the car much easier to wash.