Understanding Paint Correction & Polishing

Paint correction goes by many names—polishing, paint enhancement, buffing, or a one-step correction—but they all refer to the same process: refining and restoring your vehicle’s clear coat for a deep, wet-like glow. Even brand-new cars from the dealership can benefit from an enhancement to maximize their shine.

Over time, vehicles develop light swirl marks and imperfections caused by improper washing techniques, automatic car washes, or general wear from driving. A one-step polish is designed to remove these minor defects while simultaneously reviving the car’s original luster.

For deeper scratches and defects, a compound may be required to reduce their visibility. However, compounding can leave a slightly hazy finish, which then needs to be refined with a polish—this is known as a two-step correction.

Preserving Your Vehicle’s Clear Coat

Modern vehicles have increasingly thin clear coats, often no thicker than a Post-it Note. Contrary to popular belief, scratch removal isn’t like erasing a mark on paper. Instead, the surrounding clear coat is carefully leveled to match the depth of the scratch, making it less noticeable or disappear entirely. Because of this, paint correction can only be performed a limited number of times before compromising the integrity of the clear coat.

Preservation Over Perfection

At Detailed, we prioritize preserving your vehicle’s paint rather than chasing absolute perfection. Unless your car is a showroom or weekend vehicle, a one-step polish is often the best approach—significantly enhancing the appearance while maintaining the longevity of your paint. To the average eye, the difference is stunning, and your vehicle will look refreshed and vibrant