Paint correction is a process that removes imperfections in a vehicles paint, such as swirl marks, scratches, and oxidation, to restore it to its original condition. It is a more in-depth process than waxing or polishing, which only provide a temporary solution to hide surface defects. Paint correction involves using specialized machines and polishing compounds to slowly remove microscopic layers of clear coat until the surface is smooth again. The process can take several hours to complete, depending on the severity of the damage and the desired level of correction. Here are the basic steps involved in paint correction:

1. Clean the spot you want to work on: To achieve the best results, it is necessary to remove all contaminants on the surface of the affected area before the paint correction begins. Professional detailers use a decontamination spray, iron or fallout remover, or a clay bar treatment to ensure a deep cleaning down to the microscopic level.

2. Analyze the scratched surface: Once the vehicle surface is clean, it’s time to analyze the painted surface to determine how severe the damage is. Once the detailer has an idea of what they’re working with, they compound the paint to remove any micro-scratches or marks.

3. Compound, polish, and refine: The paint correction process typically involves multiple stages of compounding, polishing, and refining to remove imperfections and restore the paint to its original condition. The detailer will use specialized machines and polishing compounds to slowly remove microscopic layers of clear coat until the surface is smooth again.

Once the paint correction is complete, the vehicle will no longer have swirl marks, scratches, or other imperfections that are visible to the naked eye[[3]](https://mingshine.com/what-is-paint-corr...