Paint correction
Paint corrections! Probably the most commonly thrown around term in detailing now a days. So lets break it down!
What is a paint correction?
Paint Correction is a process used to remove defects in the paint. Those defects being swirl marks, RIDS (Random Isolated Deeper Scratches), and deeper scratches from the clear coat bringing back the true gloss and color of your paint!
How did these defects end up in my paint?
Well there are many reasons why paint will pick up defects but we will focus on the main points for now. Generally the rule of thumb is that any contact is bad contact.
1) Automated car washes or the "swirl o matic" as a lot of detailers refer to them as. These will 100000% induce swirls and RIDS into your paint, or worse a deep scratch which will need to be wet-sanded or have touch up paint added.
2) Improper wash techniques used. We will be doing a video explaining the proper wash procedure to keep your paint swirl free! A two bucket wash method is a must with both buckets having grit guards to keep the heavier grit trapped under the guard. This will ensure that you are not smearing dirt back around on your paint.
What is the paint correction process?
The steps will vary depending on the current condition of your paint. Generally there are 3 steps taken to bring the paint back.
1. Cutting stage. This is where the an aggressive pad and compound medium are used to remove swirls, scratches, and RIDS
2. Polishing Stage. This is where the paint is refined from the previous cutting stage.
3. Final Polishing Stage. This is where the paint is further refined to bring the utmost gloss and depth possible.
How long does a paint correction take?
This varies deeply on the level of correction being performed. To get a car to 75% may take 10-15 hours, but to get that last 25% out of it may take a week. We’ll use an analogy here. A Bugatti Veryon makes 1,000hp it takes 300 horsepower to get the car to 150mph, but 700hp to get it to its top speed of 254.4mph.