Paint Correction: Paint Polishing, Single-Stage & Multi-Stage
This Is Our Craft
Nothing draws your eye to a car more than the rich, deep glow of a mirror-like finish. Achieving this level of finish is possible only by the hands of a properly trained and experienced paint correction specialist. Paint correction is a skilled, labor-intensive finishing technique that involves utilizing nanoabrasives and machine polishing to remove microns of clear coat, eliminating defects and bringing out the utmost clarity and brilliance of your paint. However, proper and safe machine polishing is a technical art that is mastered by very few. At HQD, we always stay up to date on the latest and most advanced techniques, training, tools, and products so that we are always able to offer our customers the best execution of our craft.
Paint Correction For Common Paint Defects
When most of us think of paint damage, what usually comes to mind are common defects such as swirls and scratches; however there are many types of defects that occur in automotive paint including:
- swirls
- RIDS
- deep scratches
- acid/water etching
- bird dropping etching
- bug etching
- marring/micro-marring
- holograms
- sanding marks
- factory haze
- orange peel
- fish eyes
- dirt nibs
- browning
- solvant pop
- contamination/environmental fall-out
Do I Need Paint Correction or Paint Polishing Before Paint Protection Film or Ceramic Coatings?
Paint correction or paint polishing is not a required step prior to having a ceramic coating or paint protection film installed. However, most cars’ paint is flawed, even brand new cars. Sometimes flawed paint is visible and sometimes it is not as visible to the eye. If a coating or film is applied to even slightly flawed paint, the flaws will become enhanced and stand out more. Wondering why a brand new car would have any kind of paint flaw or damage? A brand new car’s paint may get damaged in transit, from overspray, and, even from getting washed at the dealer. It can become slightly scratched or marred. Most brand new cars benefit from at least a single-stage paint correction prior to having paint protection film or a ceramic coating installed. During our single-stage paint correction process, our correction specialists use a range of high-end specialty compounds with diminishing abrasives which remove 50% to 80% of defects.
Not sure if your car needs paint correction? Bring your car into our shop. At HQD, we offer complimentary paint correction spot tests.
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Paint Correction Packages
Paint Enhancement Polish
This level of paint correction involves light spot buffing, combined with a thorough polish. While this package is not optimal for the removal of heavy damage, it is perfect for cars that have light damage such as swirling or haze, and therefore, is an excellent choice for coating prep on new and lightly driven vehicles. For vehicles that have a bit more wear, this package is a budget-friendly option and, though paint type and condition are primary factors in the result achieved, we guarantee at least a 30% reduction of all defects.
Single Stage Paint Correction
★ Most Popular ★
While the single-stage process may not result in perfection, you can expect to see a significant improvement in the condition of your finish. Like a facial, this process will remove a large number of topical defects, revealing a clearer, glossier finish. While most detailers stick to a single pad, single polish procedure, at HQD our correction specialists use a range of high-end specialty compounds with diminishing abrasives, in order to get a result similar to that of a multiple-stage correction, at a lower cost to our clients. Typical defect removal ranges from 50 to 80%.
Multi-Stage Paint Correction
When you select our multi-stage paint correction, you are getting a finish very close to that of a brand new paint job, without the expense. You will see a drastic transformation, with the removal of most all defects, leaving only the heaviest of scratches and imperfections behind. Each car is tested and a unique combination of pads, cutting compounds, and polishes are selected specific to your car’s paint, in order to achieve the maximum amount of clarity, depth, and gloss possible. The paint type and condition are determining factors in the level of correction achievable, but typically this process will get rid of 85-95% of all defects.
Additional Correction Services
Paint touch-up
Upon request, touch up paint can be applied prior to laying PPF or coatings. We always set expectations before applying touch up paint to ensure customers understand that touch-up paint will not flawlessly restore the finish, but rather camouflage the damage. Rock chip damage is often primarily visible as grey, white, or black speckling, contrasted against the painted finish. The use of touch-up paint will allow this kind of damage to be camouflaged, and, though we do our best to apply with precision, it will NOT be flush and smooth like the surrounding surface. Additionally, under PPF, rock chips, touched-up or not, appear as small bubbles, not recesses, in the film.
PDR- Paintless Dent Repair
Paintless dent repair is a method of removing dents, door dings, and minor creases from body panels. A wide range of damage can be repaired as long as the painted surface remains primarily in tact.
