Paint correction & deep paint correction
Swirls, haze, water spots, and light scratches live in the clear coat. We level the clear coat until they're gone, then protect it. At your driveway or lot.
- Professional results
- Reliable service
- Dealer & retail solutions
- Mobile service, we come to you
At a glance
$250 Full Vehicle Wet Sand & Buff, spray wax and trim shine included
Quoted Deep Paint Correction, multi-stage
- Most of a day on site for a full vehicle.
- Paint-depth readings before we touch anything.
- Bundle with touch-up and SiO2 protection for $320 total.
- Required prep for a ceramic coating.
Why correct with Recondition Works
The defects actually come out
A glaze or filler polish hides swirls for a few washes. Wet sanding and compounding removes them. We do the second one, and we prove it with a panel wipe before you pay.
We measure before we cut
Clear coat is thin, roughly the thickness of a sheet of paper. A paint-depth gauge tells us how much is there so we remove defects, never the clear coat's safety margin.
Protection is included
Freshly corrected paint is bare. Every correction leaves with spray wax and trim shine; upgrade to SiO2 spray for $50 or a full coating.
Paint correction & deep paint correction
- Thorough exterior wash and paint preparation
- Chemical and mechanical decontamination
- Paint-depth readings on every panel
- Lighting inspection and test spot to set the plan
- Full vehicle wet sand and buff (Paint Correction), or multi-stage compound and refine (Deep Paint Correction)
- Edge, trim, and emblem taping to protect adjacent surfaces
- Panel wipe to confirm true results, not filler gloss
- Final inspection under multiple light sources
- Spray wax and trim shine; SiO2 spray or pro coating optional
- Care and maintenance instructions
Paint correction pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Full Vehicle Wet Sand & Buff (spray wax + trim shine) | $250 |
| Wet Sand & Buff + Touch-Up | $280 |
| Wet Sand & Buff + Touch-Up + SiO2 Ceramic Spray Protection | $320 |
| SiO2 Ceramic Spray Protection (add-on) | + $50 |
| Deep Paint Correction (multi-stage, heavy defects) | Quoted after inspection |
Oversized vehicles and heavily neglected paint may move the price. We tell you before starting.
What swirl marks are
Look at a dark car in direct sun and you'll see a web of fine circular scratches. Each one is a tiny trench in the clear coat, usually from automatic wash brushes or a dirty towel. Thousands of them scatter light, and that scattered light is the "haze" that makes paint look tired.
Correction levels the clear coat down to the bottom of those trenches. The surface becomes flat again, light reflects straight back, and the color looks deep. Nothing is added; a thin layer is removed and polished.
What won't come out
- Scratches through the clear coat into color or primer. Those need deep scratch repair or touch-up.
- Chips. Missing paint can't be polished back; it has to be filled.
- Clear coat failure (peeling, flaking, cloudy patches). That's a repaint.
- Deep etching from bird droppings that has gone through the clear.
We walk the car with you before starting and point out anything in this list.
Correction vs. a filler polish
| Glaze / "swirl remover" at a car wash | Wet sand & buff | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to the swirl | Filled with oils and hidden | Removed from the clear coat |
| How long it looks good | Until the next few washes | Until new scratches are added; years with care |
| Paint measured first | No | Yes, every panel |
| Ready for a ceramic coating | No, oils block bonding | Yes, after panel wipe |
The correction process
Wash and decontaminate
Hand wash, iron and tar removal, clay bar. Any grit left on the paint would be dragged across it by the polisher.
Measure and test
Paint-depth readings, then a test spot to find the least aggressive combination that removes the defects.
Correct
Wet sand where needed, then compound to level and polish to refine, panel by panel, under inspection lights.
Refine and protect
Panel wipe, final inspection, then spray wax, SiO2, or ceramic coating depending on what you chose.
Signs you need paint correction
- Spider-web swirls visible in sunlight or under gas-station lights
- Paint looks flat or gray even right after a wash
- Water spots that won't wash off
- Light scratches your fingernail doesn't catch on
- You're about to sell, lease-return, or coat the car
Questions about paint correction
Is wet sanding safe for my paint?
Yes, when the paint is measured first and the sanding is light and controlled. We use very fine grits and read the paint depth so we know exactly how much clear coat is available.
Single-stage or deep correction?
A full wet sand and buff handles most daily drivers. Deep correction is for heavy swirls, sanding marks from a previous repair, or neglected paint, and we only recommend it after a test spot.
How long will it last?
The defects are gone permanently. New ones depend on how the car is washed. Hand wash or touchless and the results last for years.
Can you do it in my driveway?
Yes. We bring water, power, lighting, and shade as needed. A garage is ideal but not required.