Premier Paint Correction in Orange County
Bring back that shiny finish to your paint with our 1-3 step process
Tired of looking at Swirls & Scratches? Our cutting and polishing process can restore that depth and clarity to your ride.
Paint correction is meant to remove 60-90% of swirls & minor imperfections in your paint which can be left from improper wash techniques to give it a clear glossy finish. From here we will do either a 1,2, or 3 step cutting/polishing process to restore that shine.
We can never guarantee a fully restored car or 100% removal of all the scratches because some just simply won’t come off. Sometimes a scratch may be too deep imbedded into the paint or the clear coat might be failing on a certain panel so it would be unsafe to continue cutting on that panel. If we do deem it unsafe to move forward with the cutting process we will let you know before we move forward with the next step. While we want to remove as many imperfections as possible, it’s important that we don’t mess with the integrity of the paint any further if it’s already in and condition. This process can take anywhere from 3 hours to a few days depending on the type of results you’d like to see.
It doesn’t matter whether your vehicle is brand new or 6+ years old. Your vehicle may still require more than a 1 step process even if it’s newly purchased off the lot. During the shipment process of the car, it can handled and transported by many different people before the keys even get in your hand. Also if you’ve taken it to any drive thru car washes during the period, those places are known to leave many swirls & imperfections on your vehicle.
YES! Even a New Vehicle Can Require Some Paint Correction
So many people gave this misconception that if they get their car from the dealership that it is in perfect condition, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your vehicle accumulates so many micro swirls and scratches from all the transportation and handling processes before it even arrives at the lot of the dealer. And even once it gets there it’s sitting outside all day getting exposed to sun rain, and all the contaminants that are floating around in the air from any factories or anything that may be nearby, plus improper washes from the dealership.
And most vehicles lose thousands of dollars in appearance & resale value because the paint is never properly corrected & protected. Paint Correction is an investment in preserving the value of your asset! If you don’t intend to keep your vehicle properly maintained and make sure its washed properly then this service probably isn’t for you as you can easily put those swirls and scratches back into the paint
This is a long and tedious process so depending on the condition that your vehicles in this service can take anywhere from 10-15 hrs to complete.
Leave your car in the hands of the most trusted detailers across Orange County
At OTL Auto Care we provide a variety of services to best accommodate your needs to keep your car in top shape. We strive to bring you the best customer service possible and top quality services.
OTL Paint Correction Process
6. Step 1: Correction (Remove swirls & scratches
7. Step 2: Polish (Enhance Shine)
8. Panel Prep to remove any leftover polish residue
9. Apply a protection of your choice (wax, sealant, or 3 yr. ceramic coating)
10. Dress tires, plastic, & trim
11. Clean exterior windows
Deep clean wheels tires and fenders
Foam bath/Contact wash
Iron Removal
Clay Bar Treatment
Tape off trim or any sensitive areas to avoid stains
Paint Correction Pricing
Pricing varies depending on the size & condition of the vehicle. These are general price ranges & not a final price! For a more accurate quote please feel free to contact us along with any questions you may have.
Sedans
$600-$850+
Mid sized cars (4Runners/Jeeps etc.)
$800-$1400+
Larger trucks & SUVs
$1450-$1700+
FAQs
Will these results last ?
The ultimate goal of paint correction is to restore the gloss and clarity to your paint by removing the micro swirls, scratches, water spots and any other imperfections we come across.
At the end of the job, we’ll deliver a vehicle that looks dramatically glossier. However the key to maintaining this finish is through proper care and maintenance. So NO Drive thru car washes. The reason is that most of these automated car washes use high speed brushes on your vehicle, meaning your is constantly getting wiped with these bristles that may have embedded dirt & debris on them from prior washes, which causes those scratches to pop up on your vehicle and potentially cause further damage over time.
It is imperative that the correct tools, products, and wash techniques are used to keep it in the best condition possible for a longer time.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to bring your car back to us for maintenance details. It is more than doable to upkeep the look of your vehicle after we achieve the desired results through the paint correction process. So long as you're using the proper wash techniques and tools & products you can easily maintain it on your own.
And if your not sure what to use or what would be the best process, we’re more than happy to provide you with a guide to maintain it on your own and we may even provide you with a few products along with one of our packages.
Why Should I get a Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating will be the best form of protection you can get for your paint. Like mentioned above, maintaining your vehicle with the proper tools, products, and wash techniques is very important to keep it in good condition.
However if you want prolong the results we achieve with the paint correction and lock in that glossy, clear finish, for a long time (1-3 yrs with proper care & maintenance) It is better than any glaze, wax, or sealant because it adds hydrophobic properties to your vehicle, making water bead up when it comes in contact with your paint so that it just slides right off as you’re driving.
It also repels dirt, debris & road grime better than any other options and still gives it that beautiful shine that you get from the others.
Is Paint Correction Worth it?
If you plan on keeping your car, trading it in soon, or just hate seeing scratches & swirl marks every time the sun hits, YES, 100%
Over time, automatic car washes, road debris, and improper washing cause micro scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation that dull your car's clear coat. Paint correction isn't just a fancy car wash or a temporary wax. It’s a precision leveling process that safely removes a microscopic layer of your clear coat to level out defects.
Here is why it’s actually worth the investment:
Permanent Defect Removal: Unlike standard details that use fillers or waxes to hide scratches for a few weeks, paint correction permanently removes swirl marks, oxidation, water spots, and light scratches.
Restores True Deep Gloss: If your paint looks hazy or "cloudy" in the sun, paint correction brings back that deep, mirror like, showroom shine.
Boost Resale Value: First impressions matter. A vehicle with flawless, well maintained paint easily commands a higher premium if you ever decide to sell or trade it in.
The Ultimate Foundation: If you are considering a ceramic coating, paint correction is mandatory. Coating over scratched paint just permanently locks in those flaws. Correcting the paint first ensures the coating bonds perfectly and looks spectacular.
When is it Not Worth it?
If you view your car strictly as a tool to get from Point A to Point B, or if you plan on continuing to take it through harsh automatic soft cloth car washes (which will just scratch it all over again), standard paint correction might not be the right choice for you.
At OTL Auto Care, we always evaluate your paint’s condition first to recommend the right level of correction. Whether it’s a single stage gloss enhancement or a multi-step restoration.
View some of our work
