Polishing vs paint correction: what’s the difference?

“Polishing” is often used as a catch-all term. In a shop, it actually covers several very different levels of work, with results and costs that are not comparable.

Light polishing

Light polishing works the top layer of clear coat to remove superficial micro-scratches, automatic wash marks and light oxidation. This is what brings depth back to dull paint.

• Removes much of the circular micro-scratching
• Revives gloss and colour depth
• Prepares the surface before a ceramic coating
• From $495 depending on the vehicle

Paint correction

Correction is a multi-stage process using more aggressive abrasives followed by refining steps. It targets deeper defects: visible scratches, heavy swirl marks, etched water spots and holograms left by poorly executed polishing.

It takes more time and requires reading clear coat thickness carefully. On a vehicle whose paint has already been reworked several times, not everything can be corrected safely.

How to know which one you need

Look at your paint in direct sunlight or under a light. If you mostly see a haze of fine circular scratches, light polishing is usually enough. If a scratch catches your fingernail or stays visible from a distance, it is correction work.

Why it matters before a ceramic coating

A ceramic coating seals paint as it is. Applied over defects, it locks them in for years. That is why preparation is often the largest part of the job.

Have your vehicle evaluated

Chic Lave-Auto inspects the paint at Quartier DIX30 in Brossard before recommending a level of work, so you are not charged for correction where polishing is enough.