458 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT
Paint Correction
Paint correction takes polishing to the next level. Swirls, minor scratches, etching and water spots come out of the clear coat, and the paint goes back to a like new condition.
Chapter 01
Swirls, etching and water spots, up close
Paint correction takes polishing to the next level. It is the labor-intensive process of removing the surface imperfections that dull a finish: swirls, minor scratches, etching, water spots and the rest. The goal is paint clarity and shine back to a like new condition.
Those marks live in the clear coat, the thin transparent layer on top of the color. Swirls are fine scratches that catch light from every direction. Etching and water spots are where something sat on the surface long enough to bite into it. A car can look fine in shade and show every one of them the moment it sits under strong light or sun.
Red BMW E30 M3 in the shop, paint corrected to a deep gloss
Compounding, then polishing, one panel at a time
The work runs in two passes. Compounding cuts the defects out first, then polishing refines the finish so the gloss comes up clean. Each panel is worked on its own and checked under light before the next one starts, which is why a full job takes anywhere from 10 to 20 hours.
Where a car lands in that range depends on the condition of the paint and the result you want. Light swirling on a well kept car is a different job than deep, heavy marking across every panel. That is what the free in-person consultation at the shop is for: you see the paint under the lights at the Danbury Road bay in New Milford, and the plan is built around your car, not around a package.
Chapter 03
What correction prepares for, and what it cannot fix
Correction is also the prep step for ceramic paint coatings. A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, so the paint is corrected first and the coating goes onto a clean finish. This service is for owners who want nothing but the highest quality paintwork, and for anyone planning a coating.
One honest limit: correction removes a thin layer of clear coat, so it cannot fix damage that goes through the clear. A scratch deep enough to catch a fingernail, or a chip down to the color, needs a different answer, and it is better to hear that before the work starts than after.
To set up a visit, call (203) 948-2194 and leave a voicemail. It is hard to hear the phone over the equipment in the shop, and calls are returned. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm, for Litchfield & Fairfield County cars.
Performance Plus Detailing, 458 Danbury Road, Unit C-12, New Milford, CT. Fully licensed and insured, with a free in-person consultation for every client.
After the correction
Corrected paint is the right starting point for protection. If you want that finish to hold, read about ceramic paint coatings, which are hand applied over corrected paint and come with 1-year, 2-year or 5-year limited warranties.