Paint Correction
Paint correction.
Removing swirl marks and micro-scratches to reveal the true colour of the paint, before any protective coating is applied.
Starting at
Starting at $495
The number of steps and final price are confirmed after inspection under dedicated lighting.
Typical duration
Half a day to a full day, depending on how many steps are required.
Where
9250 boul. Leduc, Quartier DIX30, Brossard — by appointment
A micro-scratch is a surface-level defect that stays within the clear coat rather than reaching the base colour layer, which is why it can usually be reduced or removed through correction. Swirl marks are clusters of these micro-scratches arranged in circular patterns, most visible under direct sunlight or shop lighting.
These marks almost always come from repeated habits: automatic brush car washes, wiping the car dry with a rough towel, or rubbing the surface with a dirty cloth. On the South Shore, frequent use of brush-style car washes during winter speeds up the appearance of these defects.
Paint correction removes an extremely thin layer of clear coat using a polisher and an appropriately matched abrasive compound, until the surface becomes uniform again and reflects light without distortion.
What are micro-scratches and swirl marks?
A micro-scratch is a fine mark, often invisible in daylight, that disrupts how light reflects off the clear coat. A swirl mark is a group of these scratches oriented in the same circular pattern, typical of a mechanical wash or a cloth used in a rotating motion.
These defects don't affect the vehicle's structure, but they visually dull the paint, especially on dark colours where every mark becomes far more noticeable.
The most common causes
Most of the micro-scratches we see at the shop come from maintenance habits rather than accidents. Automatic brush car washes remain the most frequent cause, closely followed by wiping the car dry after rain or morning dew.
- Automatic rotating-brush car washes
- Drying the car with a rough towel or cloth
- Reusing a cleaning cloth without washing it
- Dust and sand rubbed into the paint during washing
- Wax products applied with a dirty applicator pad
One-step versus two-step correction
A one-step correction suits vehicles with light to moderate defects: it generally combines a medium-cut polishing compound to remove most marks in a single pass.
A two-step correction is needed when defects run deeper or are more numerous. The first pass, more abrasive, corrects the main defects; the second pass, using a finer compound, refines the finish to achieve the maximum clarity and depth the clear coat allows.
Measuring clear coat thickness
Before any correction work, we measure the clear coat thickness with a dedicated gauge. This step tells us how much material can safely be removed and helps avoid cutting through to the base coat on panels that are already thin or have been previously repainted.
On a vehicle with undisclosed bodywork repairs, thickness can vary significantly from one panel to another: the measurement directly guides which compounds and pressure levels are used.
What correction can't fix
A scratch that catches your fingernail has usually gone through the clear coat down to the base coat or primer. This type of damage can't be fully removed through polishing: doing so would require removing too much clear coat, which isn't recommended.
In these cases, we minimize the mark's visibility as much as possible and clearly explain the limits of the result before starting, without promising complete removal.
Why correct before protecting
A ceramic coating or liquid PPF seals in the current condition of the clear coat. Applying protection over paint with existing micro-scratches locks those defects in place for the entire duration of the treatment, often several years.
That's why paint correction almost always comes before applying a ceramic coating or liquid PPF in our process.
How it works
Step 1
Inspection under dedicated lighting
Identifying micro-scratches, swirl marks, and sensitive areas.
Step 2
Clear coat measurement
Checking thickness to determine how much correction margin is available.
Step 3
Decontamination
Hand wash and removal of embedded contaminants before polishing.
Step 4
One-step or two-step correction
Progressive defect removal using appropriate compounds.
Step 5
Finishing and quality check
Verifying uniformity and clarity of the finish under multiple light angles.
Recommended aftercare
- Avoid automatic brush car washes after a correction; prefer hand washing.
- Wait at least 24 hours before exposing the vehicle to rain if no protection has been applied yet.
- Apply a ceramic coating or liquid PPF soon after to preserve the result.
- Use a clean microfibre cloth for any future wiping.
What our clients say
★★★★★
“Amazing job by Carl and his employee! Great price too, and the attention to detail is the best I ever witnessed. Back next year with both my cars. Ceramic 1 year on brand new Nissan Ariya.”
★★★★★
“Excellent service! I had concrete and milk stains baked into the doors and roof of my car and everything was perfectly cleaned. The work was done with great care, even beyond what the service included. I recommend them 100%.”
Frequently asked questions
- What exactly is paint correction?
- It's the controlled removal of a thin layer of clear coat using a polisher and abrasive compounds, to eliminate micro-scratches and swirl marks and restore clarity to the paint's colour.
- Does polishing remove all scratches?
- No. It removes surface-level micro-scratches and swirl marks. A scratch that catches your fingernail has gone through the clear coat and can't be fully corrected by polishing.
- What's the difference between one-step and two-step correction?
- One-step suits light to moderate defects. Two-step combines a more abrasive corrective pass with a finishing pass, giving a cleaner result on more pronounced defects.
- Why measure clear coat thickness before polishing?
- Because correction removes material. The measurement shows how much clear coat is available and helps avoid cutting through it, especially on panels that have already been repainted.
- Should the paint be protected after a correction?
- Yes, it's strongly recommended. After correction, the paint is bare and becomes vulnerable to new defects again. A ceramic coating or liquid PPF preserves the result much longer.
- Do automatic car washes really cause swirl marks?
- Yes, it's the most common cause we see. Rotating brushes and poorly maintained cloths at automatic washes create circular scratches that show up clearly in sunlight.
- How long does a paint correction take?
- Usually half a day to a full day, depending on how extensive the defects are and how many correction steps are needed for a uniform result.
Related services
Car Polishing
Restoring depth and gloss to paint, from light maintenance to full correction.
Learn more →
Ceramic Coating 3-Year
A semi-permanent protective layer lasting 3 years, hydrophobic and UV-resistant.
Learn more →
Paint Decontamination
Removal of ferrous particles, tar and calcium deposits before polishing or protection.
Learn more →
Ready to protect your vehicle?
All evaluations are done on-site, by appointment, at Quartier DIX30.