Paint correction is machine polishing that removes swirl marks, scratches, and oxidation and restores the deep, clear gloss your paint had when it was new. It’s also the right first step before any ceramic coating and PPF.
Over time, washing, drying, and everyday driving leave your paint covered in fine swirl marks, scratches, and haze that dull the finish. Paint correction is the process of carefully machine polishing the clear coat to remove those imperfections instead of hiding them. The result is paint that looks deep, glossy, and clear again, a level of refinement waxing or simple polishing can’t match.
Three levels, from a quick refresh to a near-flawless finish. Not sure which your paint needs? We’ll read it and tell you honestly.
Our most thorough correction. This transformative service restores your paint to a nearly perfect finish by removing up to 90% of imperfections. Whether you’re dealing with swirl marks, scratches, or oxidation, it delivers a level of refinement that waxing or simple polishing can’t match.
An excellent option for owners who want to restore their car’s appearance without the more extensive 3-step process. It removes 70 to 80% of imperfections, including swirl marks, fine scratches, oxidation, and water spots, for a smoother, more vibrant finish that improves gloss and can raise resale value.
A one-step polishing service that enhances the depth and clarity of your paint, removes light watermarks and spotting, and improves overall shine. A quick, affordable way to give your exterior a vibrant, glossy finish, and perfect for vehicles in good condition or anyone after a fast refresh.
We don’t just start cutting. We read the paint first, then correct only as much as needed to protect your clear coat.
A full hand wash, iron decontamination, and clay bar so the surface is perfectly clean before we touch it with a machine.
We use a paint depth reader to see how much clear coat there is to work with, so correction is safe.
A cutting pad and compound remove the swirls, scratches, and defects from the clear coat.
A softer pad and polish follow to bring back the deep, mirror gloss across the whole car.
A ceramic coating locks in whatever is underneath it, which is exactly why correction comes first. Most of our System X ceramic packages include paint correction, from a single-step enhancement to a multi-step correction depending on the package, so you’re sealing in a flawless finish instead of trapping swirls under the coating.
Want correction without a coating? We’ve got you. Tell us the vehicle and the condition, and we’ll send a quote.
Professional correction work by an expert team. Here’s what customers say after working with our Crystal Lake shop.
5.0 from 328+ Google reviews
Dan performed a professional paint correction on my car and I could not be happier with the result. He answered all my questions and explained the full process to me. I highly recommend Detail Tech for all your detailing needs.
Dan has done excellent job of detailing my son’s 2011 BMW 535i XD, paint correction with ceramic coating! It looks awesome!
This was my first time at Detail Tech. They are a dedicated, hard working and polite group. My GN has original paint, and there is not much left of it in spots when analyzed. They were very honest, did not want to risk the paint correction and told me so up front. There are multiple times when they had to redo and use different types of ceramic coating just because the 38 year old paint wasn’t playing nice. Communication was awesome step by step. In the end the car looks as good as I believe possible. Some areas like the hood will never be perfect and it shows but that is NOT on Detail Tech. They have saved me from an all out new paint job for years to come! I highly recommend these gentlemen.
This is the 4th service that Detail Tech has done for me. This particular service involved paint correction on 50 plus year old paint! Once again, Dan did a great job in making the old paint look new again!! I will continue to bring my vehicle detailing needs to Detail Tech in the future. Happy customer!!
These guys did a phenomenal job on my 2018 Audi S4, had them do a full paint correction and ceramic coating. The paint came into their shop with tons of swirls and other issues, and came out looking beautiful. Super helpful and extremely good communication. Even when hitting a couple obstacles, they were still able to pull through and do a magnificent job. Really happy with the work they did. Definitely will be back in the future.
Swirl marks, fine scratches, water spots, and oxidation in the clear coat. It removes them rather than filling them in, so the results last.
3-step removes up to 90% of imperfections for a near-flawless finish. 2-step removes 70 to 80%. Color enhancement is a one-step polish for a quick refresh on paint that’s already in good shape.
Yes. A coating locks in whatever is underneath, so correcting first is what gives you that deep, flawless result.
Most light and medium swirls and scratches, yes. Deep scratches that have gone through the clear coat can’t always be fully removed, and we’ll tell you honestly what to expect after we see the paint.
The correction itself is permanent, since we’re removing the defects. Protecting it afterward with a coating keeps it looking corrected far longer.
Tell us about your vehicle, and we’ll quickly send you a fair offer. No pressure, no hassle.
These guys did a phenomenal job on my 2018 Audi S4, had them do a full paint correction and ceramic coating. The paint came into their shop with tons of swirls and other issues, and came out looking beautiful. Super helpful and extremely good communication. Even when hitting a couple obstacles, they were still able to pull through and do a magnificent job. Really happy with the work they did. Definitely will be back in the future.
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