Guide
What Does Paint Correction Cost?
How correction pricing works and what changes the number.
Paint correction is priced by labor hours, and hours are determined by how many stages the paint needs and how large the vehicle is.
Two cars of the same model can differ by a full day of work depending on how they have been washed for the last five years.
Stages
A one-step polish is roughly a day. A two-step compounding and refining process is usually one and a half to two days. Three-stage work on very hard or very damaged paint takes longer still.
Paint hardness
Hard clear coats resist correction and require more passes. Soft paints correct quickly but need careful finishing to avoid haze. Both affect labor time.
Defect severity
Widespread water spot etching from sprinkler exposure and heavy swirling from years of tunnel washes both push a car toward multi-stage work.
Getting an accurate quote
Photos in direct sunlight showing the defects are the fastest way to get a realistic number without an in-person inspection.
What this includes
- Priced by labor hours, not by product
- One-step: about a day of work
- Multi-step: one to two days
- Paint hardness materially affects time
- Sunlit photos help produce accurate quotes
Frequently asked questions
Is correction worth it before selling?
A one-step often pays for itself in presentation, especially on dark paint.
Can correction be done on part of a car?
Yes, single panels can be corrected, though the finish may not match adjacent panels.
Do I need a coating afterward?
You need some protection. A coating is the option that preserves the work longest.
Want us to handle it instead?
Mobile detailing across Jacksonville, at your home or workplace.