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Paint Correction: The Art and Science of Getting Your Vehicle To Look Its Best

ken doing a paint correction

Ever feel like your car’s paint job is looking a little tired, maybe even a bit battle-scarred? Don’t worry; it’s more common than you might think. Everyday driving exposes your vehicle to all sorts of things that can dull its finish — from bird droppings and tree sap to those dreaded swirl marks from improper washing. But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can restore that factory-fresh look your car once had. Let’s dive into the world of paint correction and see how you can make your car’s paintwork look its absolute best.

What is Car Paint Correction?

When you ask: “What is paint correction on a car?” you want a straight answer, so here it is.

Correcting automotive paint is a process that involves removing imperfections from a vehicle’s paintwork. The most common imperfections are scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation. We call these “defects”. However, there are other defects that require paint correction to remove them; water spots, solvent pop, orange peel, holograms, bird poop, insect guts, and scuff marks. These defects are mostly in the clear coat of paint, which means they can be “corrected”. Defects that invade the base or color coat cannot be corrected and require a repaint.

The goal of paint correction is to restore the clear coat paint to its original, flawless condition. Think of it like a facial for your car — it removes impurities, smooths out the surface, and brings back that radiant glow. Paint correction removes microscopic layers of clear coat, we’re talking in terms of microns, or millionths of a meter.

If you’re wondering how those pesky imperfections get there in the first place, it’s usually due to everyday wear and tear. Things like harsh weather conditions, improper washing techniques, and environmental contaminants all take their toll on your vehicle’s clear coat. But, with paint correction, you can effectively remove these effects and bring back your car’s original shine.

Automotive Paint Correction
Paint correction example

Why is Paint Correction Worth It?

Wondering why you should invest in a correction for your car’s paint? Here are some compelling reasons:

  • Restore Your Vehicle’s Original Showroom Shine: By removing scratches, swirl marks, and other blemishes, paint correction will restore the look of your paint to its original showroom shine, making it look like it just rolled off the lot. Heads will definitely turn when you drive down the road
  • Value: Let’s face it – a good looking car or truck is the first thing potential buyers notice. If it came down to a 3-5 year old vehicle that had a paint correction vs. one that did not, and all other things being equal, the better looking one of the two will most likely sell first, and a higher price. The buyer not only likes the way it looks, but they also sense that the owner cared enough about the appearance and most likely that care extended to the mechanical condition of the vehicle.
  • Loss Prevention: A paint corrected car or truck that has a protective paint coating will prevent additional defects in the future. This form of loss prevention helps your vehicle retain its value.
  • Investment Mitigation: A paint correction will not only make your car or truck look better, but with proper ceramic painting protection, it will help you mitigate loss on your investment in vehicle depreciation. You see, we report to Carfax, so that potential buyers have evidence that you are serious about maintaining your vehicle. Even the best professional ceramic coating cannot make up for a proper paint correction. The combination of a professional paint correction and ceramic coating is an investment that will pay for itself when you’re ready to trade for a new car.

Why Choose Dripping Auto Pros?

You want the best paint correction experts to make your ride look awesome. We’ve trained with the industry’s best paint correction technicians from across the globe. From wet sanding to jeweling, we know how to do the job right and make you drool over the result. We are certified detailers with countless hours of correction experience and can ensure your vehicle’s paint will be perfected in as much as is possible. You can trust Dripping Auto Pros to do the job right the first time and to protect it with the best ceramic coating available today.

Automotive Paint Protection