Erase the Years
Reveal the Shine
Your vehicle’s paint tells a story — every swirl, scratch, and faded spot is a reminder of miles driven and time spent in the Texas sun. Our precision paint correction process restores depth, clarity, and gloss so your car looks even better than new. Because protecting what drives you starts with bringing back its perfect finish.
Over time, even the most cared-for vehicles develop imperfections:
Swirl marks from washing.
Fine scratches from road debris.
Oxidation and fading from harsh UV rays.
Holograms and dull spots from.
The good news? With professional paint correction, these don’t have to be permanent.
How Paint Correction Works
01
Inspection & Measurement
We start with a full inspection, identifying paint defects and safely measuring paint depth to know exactly how much correction can be done.
02
Precision Machine Polishing
Using professional compounds, pads, and polishers, we carefully remove microscopic layers of clear coat to eliminate swirls, scratches, and oxidation — without ever compromising your paint.
03
Gloss Restoration
The finish is refined to a mirror-like gloss, restoring color depth and clarity. From there, most clients protect their investment with a ceramic coating or PPF for long-term results.
Why Choose Professional Paint Correction?
Restore Showroom Quality
Your vehicle will shine with depth and reflection like the day you it rolled o off the showroom floor.
Protect Your Investment
Corrected paint holds value and sets the foundation for long-term protection.
Essential Prep for Coatings/PPF
Paint correction ensures your vehicle is ready for advanced protection.
Levels of Paint Correction
Single Stage
Level 1
Two Stage
Level 2
Three Stage
Level 3
Four Stage
Level 4
water spots in texas hill country
This was a new BMW 3 Series that had water spots from the owners’ sprinklers.
They were on the car for 1 day in the hot Dripping Springs summer sun.
why are water spots so insidious?
Dripping Springs is right in the Texas Hill Country, which sits on top of the Edwards Aquifer and layers of limestone. Limestone is loaded with calcium and magnesium minerals, and when rainwater seeps through those rocks into the aquifer, it dissolves some of those minerals.
When that groundwater gets pumped into homes and businesses, you’re basically getting mineral-rich water straight from the limestone. That’s what makes it “hard.”
How Hard is It?
Central Texas has some of the hardest water in the entire country.
In Dripping Springs, water hardness typically tests over 200–300 ppm (parts per million), which classifies it as very hard.
For perspective: anything over 180 ppm is already considered very hard.
What It Means for You
When that water dries on paint, the calcium and magnesium are left behind as white spots.
Add the Texas sun, and those spots get “baked in,” etching into the clear coat in as little as a day or two.
Once etched, the only way to fix it is wet sanding and polishing — which can run into the thousands.
Understanding Automotive Paint Hardness
Not all automotive paint is created equal. In fact, the hardness of your vehicle’s paint—meaning how tough or soft the clear coat is—can make a big difference in how it reacts to scratches, swirl marks, and polishing.
At Dripping Auto Pros, we specialize in correcting and protecting all types of paint, from the softest to the hardest. So let’s break it down.
What is Paint Hardness?
Paint hardness refers to how resistant your clear coat is to things like scratches, swirl marks, and even the polishing process itself. On the soft end, paint is easier to scratch—but also easier to correct. On the hard end, it’s more scratch-resistant—but tougher to correct without the right tools and skill.
Where Does Your Vehicle Fall?
Using the image above, here’s how different manufacturers rank:
Soft Paint: Brands like Tesla, Rivian, Toyota, Honda, and Acura have softer paint. These are more prone to swirl marks but can be corrected more easily.
Medium Paint: Think Ford, Lexus, GM, Jeep, Dodge, Corvette—they fall right in the middle and require a balanced approach.
Hard Paint: Brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche use very hard clear coats. These resist damage better—but take much more time and experience to correct properly.
Why This Matters
If your paint is soft, it needs gentler tools and protection to keep it from marring. If it’s hard, it takes advanced compounds, pads, and techniques to remove defects effectively without damaging the paint.
That’s where we come in.
At Dripping Auto Pros, we understand the unique needs of every paint type and tailor our correction process accordingly. Whether you’ve got a soft Tesla or a rock-hard Porsche, we’ve got the skill, products, and precision to bring back that deep, mirror-like shine
FAQ's
How Do I Get an Estimate for Paint Correction?
The best way is to come to our shop. This allows us to do a comprehensive paint inspection to determine what level of paint correction is needed to get your vehicle looking the way you want it.
What does paint correction cost?
The cost for paint correction depends on what’s needed to accomplish your goals. The prep work is the same for all levels of paint correction.
- Wash
- Decontaminate
- Clay
- Paint depth readings
- Tape
- Test
- Consult with client
- Execute Plan
What exactly is paint correction?
Think of paint correction as an exfoliation treatment for your car’s paint. Over time, your vehicle collects swirl marks, light scratches, water spots, and oxidation—especially under the harsh Texas sun. Paint correction removes those imperfections and restores the paint’s original clarity and shine. It’s not just a polish—it’s a professional process that can bring your vehicle back to better-than-new condition.
How do I know if my vehicle needs paint correction?
If your paint looks hazy in the sunlight, has spider-webbing or swirl marks from drive-thru car washes, or just doesn’t shine like it used to—paint correction is the answer. We can inspect your paint under professional lighting and let you know what level of correction (1-stage, 2-stage, or full correction) is best for your vehicle and budget.
Should I get a ceramic coating after paint correction?
Yes, and here’s why: paint correction restores your paint, but without protection, it’ll start degrading again. Applying a self-healing ceramic coating like Revivify locks in that shine and shields your paint from UV rays, bird droppings, bugs, and swirls. It’s like sealing in the results of a spa day for your vehicle—so it stays looking fresh for years.
Why does paint hardness matter when correcting my car’s paint?
Great question—and one we get a lot.
Paint hardness affects how easily scratches and swirl marks can be removed from your vehicle’s finish. Softer paints (like those on Teslas, Toyotas, and Hondas) scratch more easily but are also easier to polish. Harder paints (like what you’ll find on Audis, BMWs, and Porsches) are tougher to scratch—but they also take more time, precision, and powerful tools to correct.
At Dripping Auto Pros, we don’t treat all paint the same. We tailor our approach based on your car’s specific paint hardness to safely remove defects and bring back that deep, flawless gloss—without risking damage.
Why choose us?
- Paint Correction Professionals.
- Advanced paint correction & wet sanding training.
- BBB Accredited.
- Locally owned business.
- Over 240 online local reviews with a 4.9 Star Rating.