Paint Correction
more than just a protective barrier
What is Paint Correction?
Paint correction refers to the process of removing the imperfections in a vehicle’s finish and restoring it to an, often times, better than new state. These imperfections include but are not limited to, swirl marks or “spider webbing” from circular washing, automated carwashes, fine scratches, water spots, bird dropping etching, holograming caused by inexperienced detailers and the list goes on… Most common practicing detailers will fill fine scratches. In other words, your scratches are hidden and will only be revealed after you wash it several times. The only true way to remove scratches in your vehicle’s paint is with the process of paint correction, one of our specialties here at CK1. Once the paint has been re-leveled, your scratches are gone for good, but it does require proper maintenance to keep your car looking great after the detail to avoid putting new scratches into your paint.
How Do I Tell if My Vehicle is in Need of Paint Correction?
Have you ever looked at your car in the sun and thought that it looked like it was covered in a spider web? These are actually circular shaped scratches and are caused by improper washing techniques. Many people still wash & detail cars with the old, circular, “wax on, wax off” technique and this is where these marks come from. No Mr.Miyagi’s here at CK1! While it is impossible not to mildly scratch the surface during a wash (on an unwaxed car), these circular movements are actually what put those scratches in the paint, not remove them. Below is a simple diagram that shows why your eye is able to see a minute scratch in the vehicles finish in direct sunlight:
Because a circular scratch will always have a side directly bisecting your line of sight and the reflection of the suns rays, they will be much easier to see. However, if you wash the vehicle with front to back motions, the scratches will be uniform and will only be visible when perpendicular to the vehicle.
Why Does Paint Correction Matter?
Whether you have a Ford or a Ferrari, the first thing anyone who sees your car will notice is the paint. What they are really seeing is the reflection of the rest of the world in your vehicles finish. While a car might look “clean” and well taken care of from afar, often times the finish will be muddled looking due to what is known as “orange peel.” This is when a paint’s finish takes on a texture similar to an orange due to machine spraying at the factory, lack of finishing procedures at the factory, resprays and or improper painting techniques. If your vehicle has orange peel (most commonly seen on newer BMW’s) it isn’t always bad, but rather could benefit by colorsanding/wetsanding to alleviate the surface texturing of your paint, which will result in a more crisp, clear, un-muddled reflection.
How is paint correction achieved?
Step 1: Wash Process followed by Clay Bar
Step 2 (if required): Wet Sanding or Leveling
Step 3: Buffing & Polishing
Step 4: Application of CK1 Black Diamond Ceramic Coating
