Paint Correction Prices?
What does paint correction cost and how do you know if you should pay the price? Let’s get some clear answers…
Below I’ve given a simple breakdown of average paint correction prices based on vehicle size and average paint correction choice (1 step paint enhancement)
Compact/Sports Car: $175-250
Sedan: $200-275
Small SUV: $250-325
Standard SUV/Jeep: $300-375
XL SUV/Truck/Jeep: $350-425
15 Passenger Vehicles: Custom
Why Is Paint Correction So Expensive?
To better understand paint correction prices, it’s important to understand what is required in order to do a paint correction.
Step 1: Paint Correction Preparation
Before starting the paint correction process, we must ensure that the paint is not only clean, but completely bare! This requires more than just a simple car wash. During the paint cleaning and decontamination phase, we walk through 5 major paint correction preparation stages:
STEP 1:
‘The pre-wash wash’ where we remove as much surface dirt from the vehicle as possible without touching the paint.
STEP 2:
‘Traditional car washing’ which is exactly what you think! After surface dirt removal, it’s time for us to wash the paint the way you did when you were a kid! Well… not exactly, we use better chemicals, better technique, and special processes, but you get the idea!
STEP 3:
Next is the ‘iron decontamination phase.’ If you’re not from the detailing world, that phrase means nothing to you. Most people aren’t aware of the tiny contaminants that sit on your car’s paint that are not removed through the washing process. These microscopic contaminants are single handedly responsible for long term paint DAMAGE! We’ve got the chemicals to remove them!
STEP 4:
Nearing the end we move into ‘clay barring’ the paint. After you wash your car… run your hand across the paint. What do you feel? Likely not a smooth surface, but rather a surface that LOOKS CLEAN and yet is bumpy like sandpaper. The clay bar phase of our ceramic coating preparation process allows us to remove any and all of the final contaminants that are embedded in the paint leaving a smooth and glassy surface behind that you’ve likely never felt on your car.
STEP 5:
Last but not least we move into the ‘final wipe down & solvent removal’ stage. This phase is exactly what it sounds like. We use a specific type of chemical that will remove any last minute oils, residues, waxes, or any other chemical that is left on the surface of the paint.
Step 2: Now For The Paint Correction
At this point, you may still be wondering… “but why is paint correction so expensive?” We like to separate it into 2 simple categories:
#1 TIME
#2 SKILL
Let’s start with #1. Time is simply the biggest part of a paint correction. It generally takes us 5-10 hours to do a paint correction depending on size of vehicle and amount of paint correction.
Now for #2. You may be thinking… “how much skill can polishing paint really take?” Well you might be surprised. See we know there are many dangers when correcting paint and because of this, we put ourselves through one of the most intense 90 day paint correction and ceramic coating trainings available today. So to answer the question, it actually takes a pretty good amount of skill to avoid making costly mistakes.
Do You Need A Ceramic Coating With Paint Correction?
Short answer… no. However, it may be something you want to consider… here’s why:
#1 - A Ceramic Coating Will Extend The Life Of The Paint On Your Car
Let me expand on this… Basically when you perform a paint correction on a car it “brings the paint back to life, the paint is usually shiny for a few months but soon after you might start to notice it get scratched, dull, or hazy again. Here is where a ceramic comes in… when applying a ceramic coating after a paint correction, you can think of it as locking in the shininess of your paint and rather than the glossy and smooth surface of your vehicle lasting a few months, it will last years.
#2 - A Ceramic Coating Will Give Your Car The Ease Of Maintenance That Simple Paint Correction Won’t
As we talked about earlier… Ceramics make your car insanely easy to wash. Why is this? Well, basically when the coating bonds to the paint it acts as a layer of smooth, hydrophobic glass. So when you go to wash your car most of the debris and dirt comes off on the first rinse, then when you actually start the contact wash you will soon notice how slick the surface is and how everything just seems to slide off. It’s really that simple… Paint correction alone will not make your car any easier to wash, however, paint correction with a ceramic coating will.
#3 - Finally, A Ceramic Coating Protects Your Investment For the Long Term
It’s simple, a ceramic coating is simply the best way to protect your car paint for the long term. There is literally NO other chemical out there that can do it better. And when combined with a paint enhancement or paint correction you can get the amazing gloss combined with everything else a ceramic offers
So, to answer the question… no you don’t need a ceramic coating. Although, you may consider getting one.
“I have been extremely fortunate to be able to have Caleb detail all of my vehicles. He started with my cars and immediately after, I wanted him to detail my boat and my RV too. As expected, He did an outstanding job on both. He is a wizard at paint enhancement. My old vehicles looked new and my new vehicles look better than new. I opted for the ceramic coating on all and they are so much easier to keep clean. I highly recommend Caleb and his services. He is an extremely hard worker who consistently delivers an exceptional product.”
— Robert G. (Ceramic Coating Customer)