Scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation removed by hand. We restore your car's paint to a deep, clear finish — no repainting, no shortcuts.
Get a Free Quote See the Process ↓Paint correction is the process of removing defects from your car's clear coat — the transparent protective layer sitting on top of your actual paint. Swirl marks, fine scratches, water spots, and oxidation all live in this layer, and they're what make an older car look dull and tired even after a wash.
Unlike waxing or polishing, which fills and hides defects temporarily, paint correction physically removes a thin layer of clear coat to level out the surface. Done correctly, the result is a deep, mirror-like finish that lasts — and that no amount of washing can replicate.
Portland's wet winters and dry summers are hard on paint. UV exposure fades clear coats. Car washes create swirl marks. Rail dust and tree sap etch into the surface. If your car is more than a few years old and hasn't been corrected, it almost certainly needs it.
We start with a thorough wash, clay bar treatment, and iron fallout removal. Paint correction only works on a perfectly clean surface — contaminants left on the paint will cause new scratches during the polishing stage.
Using dual-action and rotary polishers with compound and polish, we methodically work through the paint defects. Heavier cuts remove deeper scratches; finishing polish refines the surface to a high gloss.
After correction, the fresh clear coat needs protection. We apply a paint sealant or carnauba wax to lock in the results. For longer-lasting protection, ceramic coating is the next step up.
If you can see it in direct sunlight or under a flashlight at a low angle, paint correction can likely remove it or significantly reduce it.
Pricing depends on vehicle size and the severity of paint defects. We assess the paint before quoting and won't start work until you've approved the price.
It depends on the depth. Scratches that only affect the clear coat — the top transparent layer — can be fully removed. Scratches that cut through the clear coat into the base color or primer cannot be corrected by polishing and would require touch-up paint or a body shop. We'll assess your paint before we start and tell you what's achievable.
The correction itself is permanent — we're physically removing material, not masking it. How long your paint stays defect-free after that depends on how you maintain it. Applying a ceramic coating after correction significantly extends the results by protecting the clear coat from new damage.
Yes — we bring our polishing equipment to you. We do need a shaded location and access to power. A garage is ideal, but a covered parking structure or shaded driveway works well. Direct sunlight makes paint correction difficult, so we'll work around the conditions.
A single-stage enhancement takes 3–5 hours. A full two-stage correction on a standard sedan typically runs 6–10 hours. Larger vehicles and more severe defects take longer. We'll give you an accurate time estimate after inspecting the paint.
It's the logical next step if you want the results to last. Paint correction restores your clear coat — ceramic coating seals and protects it from new contamination, UV damage, and light scratches. Many customers do both in the same appointment.
Call for a free paint assessment. We'll tell you exactly what your car needs and what it'll cost before we touch it.
(503) 546-4021