Paint correction is the accepted industry term which is effectively machine polishing with an abrasive compound and is commonly referred to as a Cut and Polish.
Paint correction is a more involved process than the old cut and polish as it represents a more involved and specific approach to resurfacing modern clearcoat cars. The process is referred to as paint correction as it’s a permanent solution involving multiple stages of polishing that resurfaces the top layer of paint (usually the clearcoat) and removes scuffs, oxidised/chalky paint, swirl marks and restores gloss.
The term paint correction is often mistaken for paint touch ups to even respraying. Although confusing paint correction (aka cut and polishing) is often the fastest and cheapest way to increase the value of your car bar none.
Types of Paint Defects
A high quality cut and polish can permanently remove dull and scratched paintwork and restore factory gloss in just a few hours. Using a reputable car detailing company like Scrubs ensures not only a great result but also that you get great competitive prices and won’t be ripped off by substandard work.
To see if our paint correction (cut and polish) is right for you, we have listed the common paint defects that can be fixed by polishing and problems that can’t and will need to be resprayed.
Here are common problems that our
Paint Correction can fix.
Swirl Marks
Swirl marks are microscopic scratches in the surface of paint that show up like cobwebs in bright light. They are caused by incorrecting washing and drying where dirt particles in the sponge and chamois leave microscopic scratches in the clear coat.
Entry Marks
Finger nails, rings and car keys scratch the paint around the door handle and leave unsightly marks.
Lack of Colour Depth
Lack of Colour depth is where the colour has faded dull appearance but isn’t classed as oxidised, typical on one stage paints that don’t have a clear coat.
Oxidised or Chalky Paints
Oxidised paint is where the paint appears chalky and dull, it’s caused by breakdown of the paint from exposure to sun, water and oxygen. More common on single stage paints and white, red, and black cars.
Trail marks
Caused by vegetation and scrub rubbing against sides of the vehicle that leaves visible scuffs. These marks range from swallow to quite deep scratches.
Ghosting
Ghosting refers to the outline or visible stencil left on the paint after stickers/decals are removed. It is the contrast between the fresh paint that was protected under the vinyl sticker and the exposed paint that has faded and appears dull in comparison.
Paint Transfer
Paint transfer is occurs when a car panel comes into contact with another painted object with force and leaves a layer of paint behind. Common paint transfers are yellow paint marks left from bollards or garage door frames. The actual paint transfer can be polished off with great success, however there are usually a few deeper scratches that are left behind. The polishing stage will reduce the appearance of these scratches but if you can see the undercoat on your car, it’s time for respray.
Bird Droppings
Bird droppings are very acidic and start eating into your paint the moment it hits, heat and dry weather will amplify the reaction, it’s important to clean any droppings off as soon as you see them. If you still see a ghosting outline after washing you have an etching mark where its has eaten slightly into your paint. If the mark looks like the one in the picture sourced from meguiars online you only have light etching and this can be corrected with machine polishing.
Here are common problems that our
Paint Correction can not fix.
Aged Bird Droppings
Bird droppings that have been left too long can eat all the way through the clear coat. If the mark is crazed, or cracking as shown in the pictures this is unfortunately clear coat failure and can only be fully repaired by repainting. The clear coat has been penetrated and no amount of polishing will remove all traces of the defect.
Deep Scratches
Random deeper scratches are very common and depending on the depth will determine if they can be polished out. The general rule of thumb gives you an instant idea if the scratch is correctable. Run your thumb nail over the scratch and if a indentation is felt then generally the scratch is too deep to successfully correct by polishing. Normal wear and tear will see your car pick up a few deeper scratches over time. If the scratch is a different colour and you can see bare metal or primer, only repainting is your option. Where deeper scratches have not penetrated all the way through the clear coat you have more options. A popular choice is to get the area polished to reduce the appearance of the marks first and then determine if you can live with the result. Alternately if chasing 100% correction respraying is your next option, remember that respraying just one door panel can cost $350-600. Dual or even triple stage paint correction package may give you a great outcome and permanently reduce appearance of those scratches without the expense of repainting your car.
Water Spots
There are actually three types of water spots but we will only focus on two of the most popular. The first is mineral deposits that sit on top of your paint and is usually a combination of magnesium and calcium. These minerals are soluble in your town water and when the water evaporates from the surface the minerals are left behind causing unsightly water spotting. This type of water spot can be removed if left for a short time with specific chemicals and light polishing. The other type of water spotting is where the same minerals have been left on the paint for some time and has started to eat into the paint. This causes deep etching and is not viable to fully correct as too much clear coat would to be polished off.
Paint Missing
If there is paint missing and the scratches show the undercoat or even the base metal then repainting is your only option.
Clearcoat Failure
Clearcoat failure is caused by long term exposure to the elements. This comes in the form of bubbling, blistering and peeling. Nothing can be done to fix this apart from repainting. See your local bodyshop for a quote.
Key Marks
It makes my blood boil when I see senseless vandalism. If your car is keyed unfortunately respraying those panels is your only solution.
Egg Damage
Throwing eggs may seem harmless but cause irreversible damage to car paintwork. The small hard shell fragments cut into the paint at the point of impact and can only be fixed from repainting.