Guide
What Does Paint Correction Actually Remove?
A clear line between what polishing fixes and what it cannot.
Correction works by removing a tiny amount of clear coat so the surface around a defect is level with the bottom of it. That means it can only fix defects that sit within the clear coat.
Knowing the difference saves money and disappointment.
Removable
Swirl marks from washing, buffer trails, light scratches that do not catch a fingernail, oxidation and chalkiness, mild water spot etching, and haze from previous poor polishing.
Sometimes improvable
Deeper water spot etching, moderate scratches, and bird dropping etch rings. These often lighten substantially without disappearing.
Not removable
Rock chips, scratches through the clear coat, clear coat peeling or failure, dents, and paint damage down to primer or metal. Those are body shop work.
The fingernail test
Run a fingernail lightly across the scratch. If it catches, the defect is too deep for safe correction.
What this includes
- Swirls and haze: removable
- Light scratches: usually removable
- Etching: often improvable
- Chips and deep scratches: body shop
- Clear coat failure: repaint only
Frequently asked questions
Will correction fix my clear coat peeling?
No. Peeling clear coat requires repainting the panel.
Can you remove scratches from plastic trim?
Textured plastic trim cannot be polished the same way. Some can be restored with trim products.
How much clear coat is removed?
A very small amount, measured in microns. Conservative technique keeps it safe.
Want us to handle it instead?
Mobile detailing across Jacksonville, at your home or workplace.