Paint Correction
Paint CorrectionThat Removes Defects,Not Hides Them
Most of what people call "faded paint" is thousands of fine scratches scattering light. Correction removes a controlled amount of clear coat to level those defects so the surface reflects cleanly again. Done wrong it burns through. Done right, it is the single biggest visual upgrade a car can get.
Who this is for
- Cars that have lived in automatic tunnel washes and picked up spider-webbing.
- Black, dark grey and deep blue paint where every swirl shows in sunlight.
- Pre-sale and pre-photography prep where gloss translates directly into value.
- Previous "detail jobs" where glaze filled the defects and they came back after two washes.
How it runs
01 — Inspect under real light
Paint is evaluated under focused lighting, not sunlight guesswork. Depth readings tell us how much clear there is to work with.
02 — Test section
One panel is finished first with the mildest pad and compound combination that clears the defects. That result sets the process for the whole car.
03 — Cut and refine
Light polish clears 20–30% of defects and preps for coating. A 1-step refined finish clears 70%+. A 2-step cutting and finishing pass is the showroom-quality option for heavy defects.
04 — Protect the work
Correction without protection undoes itself. Every package finishes with a premium sealant, or steps straight into a Gyeon ceramic coating.
This is hours-driven work: a 1-step is typically 5–15 hours, a 2-step is 10+. Final price is confirmed on inspection because paint condition, not vehicle size alone, sets the labor.
Packages & starting prices
Light Polish
Minimum prep for ceramic
Starting at $300
- Bare minimum for ceramic application
- Leaves paint smooth, removes minor blemishes
- Adds light gloss — removes 20–30% of defects
- Recommended for newer vehicles
- Comes standard with premium sealant
1 Step — Refined Finish
Recommended for most daily driven vehicles
Starting at $600
- Removes 70%+ of defects and swirl marks
- High gloss, showroom+ finish
- 5–15 hours invested
Final price given upon inspection.
2 Step — Showroom Quality
Cutting & finishing stages
Starting at $850
- For removing heavy defects
- Highest level of results
- 10+ hours invested
Final price given upon inspection.
Paint Correction questions
- Will correction damage my clear coat?
- Not when it is measured. Depth is checked before anything touches the paint, a test section proves the process, and we use the least aggressive combination that works. Panels with thin readings get flagged and left alone rather than gambled with.
- 1-step or 2-step — which do I need?
- A 1-step is right for most daily-driven cars: it removes 70%+ of defects and delivers a high-gloss finish. A 2-step is for neglected or heavily marred paint where cutting and finishing stages are both required.
- Do swirls come back?
- Only if wash technique brings them back. Corrected paint plus a coating and a two-bucket or touchless maintenance wash stays clean for years. Tunnel washes will re-mar any finish.
- Can this be done at my house?
- Yes — correction is performed on site in your driveway or garage with our own power and lighting. No shop drop-off, no loaner car required.
Serving Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Tarzana, Encino.
Request an estimate
Send the vehicle and a few photos. You'll get scope, timing and a firm price — usually the same day.
No obligation. Most requests answered same day.
Pairs well with
Ceramic Coating
Gyeon Pro ceramic coating installed mobile across Calabasas, Malibu and the West Valley. 1-year, 3–5 year and 9+ year multi-layer systems with documented prep.
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