What Is Car Paint Correction?
Car Paint correction is a term used to describe the process of restoring and rejuvenating the paintwork of a vehicle.
Paint correction is done to remove blemishes on a vehicle’s surface like swirl marks, fine scratches, residual marks from buffering, deep scratches, and more.
These blemishes are visible because they mar the vehicle’s finish reflection, and if you’re here reading this, you’ve probably got some questions about paint correction for imperfections on your car’s paint.
Can I Just Use An All-In-One Polish?
Fillers and methods used to cover up these blemishes/imperfections are not true paint correction, as the important first part of the process involves a thorough cleaning of the surface and a removal of the imperfections on and immediately around the blemish.
Fillers and cover up products used without this first step can and will likely look great for a time, but will eventually wear off and you’ll be right back where you started.
It’s a quick fix and more like a bandaid. Auto paint correction is best done by professional detailers as it is extremely labor intensive and calls for training, knowledge, tools and equipment that most of us do not have access to.
Create A Smooth Surface Before You Begin
When imperfections are properly removed and are not just covered up or hidden with filler based products prior to applications of quality compounds and polishing methods that truly restore the finish of your vehicle, that is paint correction.
The actual corrective process itself happens after the imperfections are removed, during which some of the finish on and around that blemish will be carefully removed in order to ensure that the surface area is both clean and level to best receive the corrections.
Removal is done with abrasive polishes, polishers and also an automotive clay bar to help remove bonded surface contaminants. This ensures that the vehicle’s surface is truly clean and free of dirt and debris in order to do the paint correction.
Why Is This Step So Important?
Bits of dirt, debris, tar and other contaminants can get caught up in a polisher and wreak havoc on your finish. This is why it’s crucial to take the time to remove all of them before beginning your paint correction process. The removal process also creates a smooth surface which makes for a clean slate for your correction process. Without this, you’re actually risking the entire area that is being worked on – you can make the situation much worse.
Once the surface is prepped, the polishing process can begin. A professional technician will have the tools and knowledge to go from removing surface material with a cutting compound to the finest products which refine the finish and remove traces of marks the heavier compounds may have left behind. They will also use special LED or halogen lighting throughout the correction process in order to continually monitor progress throughout the paint correction process. These lights mimic direct sunlight and can show how effectively and thoroughly blemishes have been removed and also
Can Deep Scratches And Blemishes Be Removed?
In some instances, scratches or imperfections may be too deep to remove fully, in which case, your professional technician will work to minimize them as much as possible in order to round off the edges and be less apparent in sunlight. This is also done with polishing products and polishing machines.
Final Steps
Removal of residual oils from the finish is done in order to catch any areas that may need additional polishing attention and also to reveal your vehicle’s beautiful new finish. This is done with isopropyl alcohol.
Paint correction is a process that starts with a thorough cleaning of a vehicle, removal of bonded debris using automotive clay, and a thorough process of polishing using both polishing compounds with polishing machines. Once this has been done, any residual oils will be removed with isopropyl alcohol, the surface inspected for areas in need of further attention, and either the steps are repeated or your vehicle is returned to you with it’s shiny, blemish free finish!
The professional technicians at 360 Express Collision & Detailing are expertly trained, only use the highest quality materials and most up-to-date tools to perform these tasks. Come see them today for a free consultation.
