Not a surface wax. Multi-stage restoration — wet sanding, compounding, and machine polishing that brings paint back to life.
The difference
Paint correction is the mechanical removal of surface defects — swirls, scratches, water spots, oxidation — from your vehicle's paint or gel coat using wet sanding, machine compounds, and polishes. It's not a wax or a sealant. It's actual restoration.
Modern cars have a clear top coat over the color. It's relatively thin — about 1.5–2 mils. Professional correction removes a tiny fraction of that layer to eliminate defects and restore gloss. Done carefully, it extends paint life rather than reducing it.
Gel coat is the outer layer of fiberglass hulls — thicker and more durable than automotive clear coat (15–25 mils). Gel coat correction removes chalky oxidation and restores the glossy showroom surface. TidalShine handles both marine gel coat and automotive clear coat as separate disciplines.
What you get
Those spiderweb-like scratches come from improper washing and drying. Machine polishing breaks them down and redistributes the paint to eliminate the visual effect permanently.
Chalky, faded paint is oxidized clear coat. Compound and polish removes the oxidized layer and reveals the color underneath. UV damage stops there.
Light to medium scratches are mechanically removed. Deep scratches that penetrate below the surface can't be fully erased — we reduce them significantly and will be upfront about what to expect during inspection.
Correction doesn't just fix defects — it changes the texture of the surface. A properly corrected panel has a mirror-like depth and reflectivity that no wax or sealant can replicate on its own.
Paint correction is the foundation for ceramic coating. If you apply ceramic over swirls and oxidation, you're locking those defects under a hard shell. Correct first, coat second.
What to expect
Two-bucket foam wash to remove loose dirt and debris. No pre-washing means you drag grit across the paint during decontamination — we don't do that.
Iron remover and tar remover to pull bonded industrial fallout, rail dust, and road film that washing can't touch. The paint is chemically stripped of everything that's not paint.
For heavier defects — deep scratches, orange peel, heavy oxidation — we use wetsanding with progressive grits (1500–3000) to level the surface before compounding. Not every vehicle needs this, and we'll tell you upfront.
Dual-action polisher with appropriate compounds. Heavy cutting pad for oxidation, lighter pad for refinement. We work in small sections, never rushing the process.
Final pass with finishing polish to remove compounding haze and bring the paint to its maximum gloss potential. This is where the depth and reflectivity happen.
IPA wipe-down to remove polishing oils so you see the true finish. We inspect every panel under strong light and re-correct any remaining defects before moving to protection.
tiers
One compound and polish pass. Removes ~60–70% of defects. Good for vehicles with light swirl marks and minor oxidation. Starting point for maintained vehicles.
Compound followed by polish. Removes ~80–90% of defects. Handles moderate swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation. The sweet spot for most vehicles that have seen regular use.
Compound, refine, finish. Removes ~95%+ of defects including deeper scratches, heavy oxidation, and orange peel. Maximum gloss and depth. For vehicles in rough condition or show prep.
Exact pricing depends on vehicle size, paint condition, and whether wet sanding is required. We'll give you a firm quote after inspection.
Results
Swirls, scratches, oxidation, water spots visible under any light source.
Mirror-finish, deep gloss, defects removed. Reflectivity restored.
We document results with a finish meter to verify paint clarity post-correction.
common questions
Only if done wrong. Wet sanding is a controlled removal process — we use appropriate grit sequences, keep the surface lubricated, and stop when we've achieved the desired result. We never oversand. The goal is to remove only what's needed to level the surface.
Results are permanent — we've removed the defect, not just masked it. What degrades over time is the protection you apply on top (wax, sealant, ceramic). With proper maintenance and annual top-up, the correction itself lasts for years.
Light and medium scratches — yes, fully. Deep scratches that have penetrated through the clear coat into the color layer can be reduced significantly but not fully erased without repainting. We'll show you exactly what's achievable during inspection.
Yes. Marine gel coat correction is a different discipline — we adjust our compounds, pads, and techniques for the thicker gel coat layer. It's part of our marine detailing service and priced accordingly.
Almost always yes. If you ceramic coat paint with existing swirls and oxidation underneath, those defects become permanent and visible through the coating. Correction first, then coat — that's the right order.
We assess repainted vehicles carefully — the paint thickness is different and may not hold up to aggressive correction. We measure paint depth with a digital gauge before proceeding and adjust our approach accordingly.
Fill out the quote form — we respond within 2 hours. No commitment until we confirm your vehicle's condition and the right tier for your paint.
Book Paint Correction View all servicesWe respond within 2 hours. No commitment until we confirm your details.
We'll be in touch within 2 hours. Check your phone — we usually text first.