Blog Post

Paint Correction... What you need to know!

John Kleven • Apr 20, 2020
Paint Correction takes time, skill and precision.
Detailing is a trade with a low cost of entry. A dual action polisher, an array of polishing compounds, pads, towels, a plethora of cleaners and wash mitts can be had for $2k or maybe less. This is all it takes to be a "YouTube Certified" master detailer. This is not a good thing for consumers or our industry as a whole - someone who watches a few YouTube videos can claim to be masters of a trade that can take years to master. Paint correction in particular is an area where a detailer can really do the wrong thing and potentially cause damage to a vehicle's finish. It's really important to be doing business with a company that can stand behind the work in case there is ever an issue that needs to be repaired.  

When do you need paint correction?  

There are several reasons paint correction may be applicable. A black car, overspray, hard water spot removal or restoring original factory paint on your much loved car. This really depends on how scrupulous of a car owner you are. Brand new cars come with defects in the finish including sanding marks, debris in paint, clearcoat runs, machine swirls and much more. If you want your car in the best condition possible so you can maintain it's finish, a paint correction is for you. If you are not completely concerned about perfection and would like the car to look good but can live with some swirl marks and defects in the paint, then a standard single stage polish may be just what you're looking for. It's always best to schedule an estimate and have us take a look at your paint for the best way to proceed. A paint correction is a costly venture and probably not worth spending the extra money on if its not for you. If you have a newly acquired older car and want to see it's full potential, invest in a paint correction and a ceramic coating. It will open your eyes to how nice we can make the finish and also

enhance it's resale value. You can always tell when a car has been well cared for and those cars demand the most money when it comes time to sell.

There are two different approaches to paint correction.
Dual Action polishing versus Rotary, both can provide great results but there are caveats of both. A random orbital polisher can be learned very quickly and doesn't have to be mastered to get a decent result, however, as you can see by the images below, its movements are rather clumsy and not accurate. A dual action polisher does drag the polishing pad (to some extent) across the surface and can leave some haze in the finish. The Rotary polisher has a steeper learning curve, but it's a much more accurate machine, works faster where heavy paint correction is needed and finishes better. With either machine, you can cause damage without proper instructions and if you are using a wrong polishing compound and pad combination, it can leave a hazy or swirly finish. As a professional shop, we perform most of our paint correction services using a rotary polisher, saving time and money for our clients. It's important to not only have the right tools for the job but to know when to use what tool and how. This formula is developed with experience.
Multiple stages of polishing.
Polishing is much like sanding a wooden table - you start with an aggressive sandpaper, and work your way in stages to a lighter sandpaper until you have achieved the smooth finish you desire. Paint correction is very much the same, the different compounds and polishing pads work in stages from most aggressive to the least which creates the best finish possible. Using a rotary polisher, we will typically perform a 3-stage polish.

Stage 1 Heavy

A heavy cut compound and a wool polishing pad, will level the clearcoat really nicely and basically does all of your defect removal, but it's a messy job that creates dust all over the place and leaves fairly heavy machine swirls in the finish. If you seen a car freshly posised with heavy swirling or a hologram like effect like an old baseball card then its probably been heavy cut without any additional steps. You will usually see this type of work from body shops, dealerships or inexperienced detailers. They are essentially removing defects but not leaving behind the desired finish. Finishing the work takes time as you're are completely polishing the car three times.

Stage 2 Medium

A medium compound and a medium density foam pad, will get the paint looking much glossier and leave a swirl free finish until you point a bright LED directly into the finish or the sun comes out. Each step brings you closer to the desired mirror finished. Quality takes time and skill.

Stage 3 Finishing

The final step is a light compound and soft density polishing pad to bring the brightness and clarity of the clearcoat back to life, this will provide us with a zero machine swirl finish. The finishing polish is really about enhancing luster and refining the finish.
If you invest in correction, you should also invest in protection!
The heavy cut and medium cut stages of a paint correction alone will typically take about 8-12 hours to complete. During this time, we are removing a large amount of defects in your paint's finish. The best way to preserve a freshly paint corrected finish is proper protection and maintenance. Ceramic coatings will not only enhance the gloss and luster of the finish, but it will also protect it from environmental staining like bird droppings, insects, lye deposits and much more. Ceramic coatings will also make your hand washes much more easy and enjoyable as the hydrophobic performance shoots droplets of water off the finish at maximum velocity. Also, you won't have to spend the extra time hand waxing your car regularly as a Ceramic Coating can last on a vehicle for years. Just proper hand washing and decontaminating when needed will keep your vehicle looking excellent for years to come. We also set your vehicle up for reminders of when you may be due for service and we are always here to help answer any maintenance questions. To learn more about Ceramic Coatings read our blog: Ceramic Coatings. What do they do?
I hope this article helps you understand what true Paint Correction is and helps you decide on what's best for you and your vehicle. Don't be fooled by pillow talk, it's always important to know what steps are being taken to best care for your baby. 

- John Kleven
A picture of a dark grey matte Mercedes AMG E63 S fully wrapped in STEK DYNOmatte.

The Art of Matte Paint and the Magic of STEK DYNOmatte Protection

By John Kleven • 31 Jan, 2024
Mercedes AMG E63 S Final Edition - Full Body DYNOmatte
Hand Wash Blog

Hand Wash vs Machine Wash?

By John Kleven • 13 Oct, 2020
Hand washing is valued because it is gentle to the finish. Some people believe that hand washing is a great excuse to give your car a great scrubbing. However, this isn't the reason why car enthusiasts hand wash their vehicles. Think about it this way, an automated wash is a one size fits all solution that rarely fits where as hand washing is specific to your vehicle.
tesla-model-y

Tesla Model Y: The biggest game changer yet?

By John Kleven • 17 Mar, 2020
At a quick glance, it looks kind of like a Model 3 and a Model X had a baby. The Model Y actually shares about 75% of it's components with the Model 3. This creates a lot of cost savings for Tesla and puts the Model Y at a very fair price. With 316 miles of range and a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds. All of this in an SUV package with gobs of storage space, a full glass roof and soon will be available in 3 rows of seating. I think the new Model Y will handily outsell the Model 3 simply based on it's usability. America loves it's SUV's!

Paint Protection Film, do I need this?

By John Kleven • 25 Feb, 2020
While , modern paint protection films have become so clear and glossy they literally look like they disappear onto the paint when they're applied correctly. You can get a clear bra that's fast and cheap, or you can pay a proper price for a good installation to get something that lasts. Many installers choose to use a computer templated pattern that is designed to easily "fit" on whichever vehicle you choose. This is the fastest way to have film installed. However, this does not offer any real level of hand tailored design or installation and the edges of the film, however, are also different story. Paint protection film is a three-dimensional object, although thin and transparent, you will still notice edges. How can an installation be so much different? It's much like how a properly hand-fitted suit will, of course, fit light-years better than something ordered online with hopes that it follows your exact body shape. I always recommend to have precision fit protection! So, if you like how your car looks like when it's new, you'll definitely appreciate a clear bra when it's old. Paint protection film is truly the only way to have a barrier of protection where nothing actually touches your paint.
porsche-gt3-delivery

New Car Delivery Inspection - Metropolitan Detail

By John Kleven • 30 Jan, 2020
Premium auto detailing and nano coating services in Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle. Protect your new car with Clear Bra and Window Tint. Call 425.233.6068 today!
Metropolitan Detail | Auto Detailing Blog & News

Ceramic Coatings - What They Do - Metropolitan Detail

By John Kleven • 07 Jan, 2020
Learn the benefits of ceramic coatings for your car at Metropolitan Detail. Find out how they protect your vehicle's paint and more in Redmond.
tesla-model-3-metropolitan-detail

Tesla Model 3 Protection

By John Kleven • 19 Dec, 2019
Sitting in traffic Is no longer a stressful chore. Tesla Autopilot truly improved my quality of life. Zero emissions helps to justify my constant giggling at the full throttle acceleration from light to light. You really can't buy a better car. Tesla leads the way in battery tech, and awareness of going green when it comes to vehicle choice. BUT… They are very much infants when it comes building cars and it shows……
Show More
Share by: