Auto paint correction is the process of removing surface imperfections from the paint on your vehicle.
While it may seem like an unnecessary or purely aesthetic part of auto body care, it is an important aspect to maintain your vehicle for many reasons. Here we’ll go over some of the top reasons to have paint correction done to your vehicle, as well as give you some tips for maintaining your upgraded auto exterior. First, let’s go over the process of auto paint correction.
What is auto paint correction?
As we stated above, auto paint correction is the process of removing surface imperfections from the paint of your vehicle. The imperfections are removed by a combination of different polishing methods. Which combination is right for you and your vehicle depends on the current state of the paint on your vehicle’s exterior. Auto paint correction will correct a wide variety of imperfections found on the exterior of your vehicle including marring and micro marring (more on that later), spider web swirls, buffer trails, paint overspray, oxidation, water spots, paint scuffs, bird droppings, and the etches left behind, tree sap, bugs, scratches left from pebbles in the road, and so many more.
The current state of your vehicle’s paint will determine which specialized method of polishing will best remove the imperfections and scratches from your car’s paint. Superficial or light scratches may be able to be removed with a one-step polish. Deep scratches that go through the clear coat of your vehicle will likely need a more in-depth, multi-step polishing process. The curves of the panels of your vehicle will also impact the steps in your auto paint correction process.
Even if you are a car enthusiast, we always recommend having the auto paint correction process done by a professional. Your vehicle is not just something you drive from point a to point b. A car is an investment, no matter the cost. When the time comes for you to part ways with your vehicle, the return on investment you receive when the vehicle has been properly maintained and cared for while in your possession is substantial. At Mile High Image Detailing, we are Denver, Colorado’s premier auto detailing company, and treat your investment with care and attention to detail at an unparalleled level. Choosing to take the time and money to maintain your investment will help you retain the value of your vehicle, returning that investment in a positive way.
Most Common Paint Imperfections
Let’s go over three of the common paint imperfections that can be removed during the auto paint correction process. The severity of these imperfections on your vehicle will determine how in-depth your auto paint correction process needs to be.
Swirl Mark Scratches
Swirl marks are one of the most common scratches found on the exterior of a vehicle, making it one of the top auto paint imperfections corrected during the auto paint correction process. These marks often occur while washing your vehicle; whether a dirty towel was used when hand drying, or more commonly, an automatic car wash. Automatic car washes are one of the biggest threats to your vehicle’s paint and clear coat. The giant bristles are not made from the softest material in order to remove all debris on the exterior of your vehicle. This combined with the speed of the machine creates a swirl pattern of light, fine scratches on the exterior of your vehicle. Over time, these light scratches can build up and leave a lasting impact on the state of your car’s exterior.
Deep Scratches
When the fine scratches build up, or when contact is made that pierces through the clear coat of your vehicle, it is considered a deep scratch. These can be accidental or intentional. Deep scratches should be treated by a professional to extend the life of your vehicle’s exterior.
Marring
Marring is a paint imperfection that is considered a sub-surface defect. The defect is usually deep enough to see, yet not deep enough to feel. Marring can leave the surface of your vehicle appearing hazy or dull. It is typically an effect of improper washing of the vehicle or improper sanding of your vehicle’s paint.
What are the Benefits of Auto Paint Correction?
Auto paint correction is beneficial for your vehicle in many ways. Let’s go over a few of our top reasons to have auto paint correction treatment on your vehicle’s exterior.
Repair your Vehicle’s Clear Coat
Auto paint correction includes correcting the imperfections in your vehicle’s clear coat. The clear coat is the last layer of paint applied by the manufacturer. It is clear and glossy, providing a small amount of protection for your pigmented paint from the elements, while also enhancing the color of the paint job. The clear coat is an important, although limited, layer of protection for your vehicle. As your vehicle protects you from bugs and rain, the clear coat protects the paint and panels of your vehicle from possible damage like the imperfections listed below.
Prevent Oxidation of your Vehicle’s Paint
What is oxidation, you ask? Oxidation is a chemical process that occurs on the exterior of a vehicle when the clear coat has been broken through, leaving direct access to the paint for UV rays from the sun and oxygen. The heat combined with the exposure to oxygen gradually causes the molecules in the oil pigment of your car to change. Oxidation often leaves the paint lackluster, taking on a faded or chalky appearance. Auto paint correction can help reverse early oxidation and is the perfect first step in preventing any further damage to the exterior of your vehicle. There are many different options of sealants you may choose to apply to your vehicle after an auto paint correction treatment, but more on that later.
Extend the Life of your Vehicle
Deciding to have auto paint correction to the exterior of your vehicle is a decision that can thank you back in the years to come. Correcting, reversing, and removing imperfections on the vehicle’s exterior will allow the paint to be preserved in its best condition possible with proper, regular maintenance. It will ensure the paint on your vehicle is smooth and well protected from the elements over the years. This helps prevent any of the small imperfections from evolving into a larger, more severe problem.
Improve the Look of your Vehicle
While the appearance of your vehicle may not strike you as a reason to get auto paint correction, improving the look of your vehicle can have an impact in certain situations. Auto paint correction can also highlight the accents and curvature of the panels on your vehicle, making it a must for any show car. Whether you are arriving at a work meeting or picking up a date, the overall look and feel of your vehicle are a part of the appearance you project. If you are feeling the pressure of a first impression, bringing your vehicle to a professional detailing company like Mile High Image Detailing in Denver, Colorado is a stress-free confidence booster, making you ready for your spotlight moment.
Protect your Investment
The vehicle you choose is not just a machine to take you from one place to the next. Your vehicle is a machine that was picked, for you and your lifestyle. Cars cost money and they are not cheap. Any amount of money put into a vehicle can be looked at as an investment. Down the line, if the time comes to part ways with your vehicle, having a well-maintained and properly cared for vehicle will help increase the resale value. This retainment in value could have a huge impact on your next vehicle. Trust us, future you will thank you. At Mile High Image Detailing we offer a monthly car wash club to help anyone in the Denver, Colorado area have a stress-free vehicle exterior maintenance plan.
Sealing Treatments After Auto Paint Correction
Speaking of protecting your investment, any and every auto paint correction should be followed by adding a layer of protection to the exterior of your vehicle. Depending on your lifestyle and use of your vehicle, this could be anything from a simple wax, to a layer of plastic protective film (known as a clear bra), or even a ceramic coating. All of these options and more are available here at Mile High Image Detailing in Denver, Colorado. We can create the perfect package experience for you and your vehicle, meeting all of your needs.
Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop for Auto Paint Correction
When searching for the right auto paint correction company, remember that your vehicle is an investment. Attempting to perform auto paint correction yourself could result in more severe damage than you started with. A professional company will provide you with a satisfactory result. Mile High Image Detailing will provide you with exceptional quality and white-glove treatment, for you and your vehicle. We offer free inspections of the exterior and can create the best auto detailing package that fits your lifestyle, as well as your vehicle. Here you can find out more about our auto paint correction treatments in Denver, Colorado.
