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2026 pricing · 6 – 16 hrs

How much does paint correction cost?

Typically $300 – $1,500. Multi-stage machine polishing that removes swirl marks, holograms, and oxidation. Restores depth before coating. Below: the range by vehicle and tier, an instant estimate, and three local pros.

ServiceVehicle sizeState (optional)

Anything extra?

Typical market range

$300–$800

Paint correction · Sedan / midsize$300–$800

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A typical market range, not a quote. Your final price comes from the detailer.

By vehicle size

Paint Correction price by vehicle

Vehicle

Typical range

Compact (Civic, Corolla)

$250–$680

Sedan / midsize (Camry, Model 3)

$300–$800

SUV (Highlander, Pilot)

$360–$960

Truck / 3-row (F-150, Suburban)

$400–$1,080

Luxury / exotic

$450–$1,770

By tier

What each price level gets you

Tier

Price

Time

What's included

Polish · light defects

$150 – $300

2–4 hrs

Single-stage. Light swirls only. Good for newer cars or pre-coating prep.

1-stage correction

$300 – $600

4–6 hrs

Light to moderate defects. Standard pre-ceramic prep.

2-stage correction

$600 – $1,200

6–10 hrs

Moderate to heavy defects. Used-car standard.

3-stage / show correction

$1,200 – $2,500

10–16 hrs

Heavy defects + show-quality finish. Often paired with ceramic.

What you're paying for

What paint correction actually is

Paint correction is a machine-polishing process that levels the clear coat just enough to remove fine swirls, water spots, holograms, and oxidation. It restores the depth and gloss your car had when it left the factory — or close to it.

A one-stage correction handles light defects and is the standard prep step before ceramic coating. Two- and three-stage corrections are for cars that have spent years going through automatic washes, or that came off the dealer lot pre-damaged.

It is not a wash. It is not a wax. It is a controlled removal of microns of clear coat using a dual-action polisher, a compound or polish, and chemistry chosen to match the hardness of your paint. Done wrong, you can burn through the clear coat in seconds. Done right, the paint looks 5 years younger and lasts another decade.

What it doesn't do: Paint correction cannot fix rock chips, deep scratches that have penetrated the clear coat, or cloudy paint that's actually faded pigment. For those, you need touch-up or re-spray work.

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Pricing FAQ

Paint Correction cost — FAQ

How long does paint correction last?

Permanently — until you add new defects through washing. The whole point of paint correction is that it removes the damage; it doesn't 'wear off'.

Will correction make my paint thinner?

Yes, microscopically. A reputable detailer measures clear-coat thickness with a paint meter before and after, and will refuse jobs where the clear coat is already too thin for safe polishing.

Can correction fix scratches I can feel with my fingernail?

No. Those have penetrated the clear coat. Paint touch-up or re-spray is needed for those.

Should I correct before ceramic coating?

Yes, always. A coating over uncorrected paint locks in the damage and looks worse over time. Reputable installers won't apply a coating without correction.

How often should paint be corrected?

Most cars don't need it more than once or twice in their life if they're washed by hand and not put through automatic washes. Used cars or daily-driver lease vehicles benefit from one round at acquisition.