Paint Correction
Swirls, holograms and wash marring removed by hand-guided machine polishing.
Overview
Most black and dark metallic cars in Los Angeles leave the dealership already marked. Automatic car washes, dusty towels and even a careless PDI leave a web of swirls that shows up the moment the car sits under a streetlight or the Malibu sun.
Paint correction removes that damage permanently. We measure clear coat thickness on every panel, test a section to find the least aggressive combination of pad and polish, then refine the finish until it reads as deep, wet and flat. Nothing is filled or glazed, so what you see after the wash is what you keep.
What is included
Every item below is part of the standard service. Add-ons such as engine bay detailing or glass coating can be selected when you book.
- Paint depth readings on every panel, logged to your vehicle file
- Two-bucket hand wash, iron fallout remover and tar removal
- Clay bar or clay mitt decontamination
- Test spot to confirm pad and polish combination
- Single, two or three-stage machine polishing to package
- Hand polishing of pillars, sills and tight edges
- Isopropyl panel wipe to reveal true results
- Inspection under 5,000K and 6,500K LED and sun gun
- Nine-month silica sealant, or upgrade to ceramic
- Before and after photo set for your records
The five stages, in detail
Five disciplined steps, measured at every panel. It is slower than a quick polish, and it is the reason our finishes survive the first wash.
Paint correction details
Inspection and paint depth mapping
Every panel is examined under 3,200K, 5,000K and 6,500K light, then measured with an ultrasonic gauge. Readings go into your vehicle file so we know exactly how much clear coat is available before any pad touches paint.
40 to 60 microns typical factory clear coat
Decontamination
Foam pre-soak, two-bucket hand wash, iron fallout remover, tar remover and a clay mitt pass. A perfectly clean, smooth surface is the only safe starting point for machine polishing.
3 chemical passes before any clay touches paint
Compounding
A test spot decides the least aggressive pad and compound that still removes the defect. We cut in overlapping passes at controlled speed, wiping and checking constantly under a sun gun.
2 to 4 microns removed on a typical cut
Polishing and jeweling
Soft foam pads and fine finishing polish remove compounding haze and micro-marring. On black and deep metallic paint, a final jeweling pass brings out the wet, liquid depth that concours judges look for.
90 percent plus defect removal on most finishes
Panel wipe and protection
An isopropyl panel wipe strips every trace of oil so the result can be judged honestly. Then we lock the finish in with sealant, a multi-layer ceramic coating or paint protection film.
Up to 9 years with Atelier ceramic
Our process
Every step is documented with photos in your vehicle file.
Inspect and measure
We map defects under three light temperatures and record paint depth readings so we know exactly how much clear coat we can safely work with.
Decontaminate
Foam pre-wash, hand wash, iron remover and clay. Polishing a contaminated panel drags grit through the paint and creates new marring.
Compound
A cutting stage with microfiber or wool pads removes the deepest swirls and random isolated scratches that sit within safe clear coat limits.
Refine and jewel
Foam finishing pads and fine polishes remove compounding haze and bring out the depth that makes metallic flake look three-dimensional.
Wipe down and protect
Panel wipe strips oils so we can verify the finish honestly, then we lock it in with sealant or a ceramic coating.
Why owners choose it
Defects removed, not masked
No fillers or glazes. Results survive washing, weather and time.
Measured, conservative cut
Depth readings mean we remove only what is needed, preserving clear coat for decades.
Higher resale presentation
Collectors and auction houses notice a flat, swirl-free finish on the first walk-around.
Coating-ready surface
Ceramic coatings magnify whatever is under them. Correction first means the gloss you lock in is flawless.
Sample pricing
Starting figures for a car in average condition. Your written quote follows a free inspection.
What changes the price
- Paint hardness. German clear coats take longer to cut than softer Japanese and Italian paints.
- Condition. Heavy wash marring or sanding marks may need a third stage.
- Complexity. Aero elements, vents and carbon fiber require hand work around every edge.
- Coupe and sedanOne-stage enhancementFrom $950
- SUV and crossoverOne-stage enhancementFrom $1,150
- Full-size SUV and truckOne-stage enhancementFrom $1,350
- Exotic and supercarIncludes aero and intake detailingFrom $1,450
- Compare full packages
Often paired with
Ceramic CoatingA hard, glass-like layer that keeps gloss high and washing easy for years.From $1,250 
Paint Protection FilmSelf-healing urethane film against rock chips, curb rash and door dings.From $1,900 
Full DetailOur complete inside-and-out reset for cars that deserve a proper return to form.From $495
Paint Correction questions
It removes defects within the clear coat, which covers swirls, holograms, water spot etching and most light scratches. If you can catch a scratch with a fingernail, it has usually gone through clear coat and needs touch-up or a respray. We tell you which is which during inspection.
A new car with light PDI marring often only needs a one-stage enhancement. Daily-driven dark paint usually needs two stages. Three stages are reserved for concours preparation or heavily neglected finishes.
Yes, when done with readings and a test spot. A typical two-stage correction removes a few microns of a clear coat that is often 40 to 60 microns thick. We never work below safe limits and we log every reading.
Yes. Unless you add a ceramic coating, which needs 24 hours indoors to cure, you can drive away as soon as we hand over the keys.
Book paint correction at the studio.
Free paint inspection and a written quote before any work begins. Enclosed collection available across Los Angeles.
4.9from 612 owners. Garage keepers insured.