Paint Correction, Polishing, and Wet Sanding

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All of our paint correction services include the following:

• A thorough paint inspection with quality detailing lights.
• One-on-one consultation on the condition of paintwork and recommendation on correction and paint protection services.
• Hand wash with 2 bucket method and pH-balanced soaps.
• Wheels, wells, door jambs, and engine bay thoroughly cleaned.
• Iron and tar deposits removed from paint and rims with non-acid solutions.
• Final paint decontamination      cleansing performed before applying paint protection.
• At least one coat of synthetic paint sealant is applied after paint polishing as a default standard.
• A hand written paint condition report is provided after the service is complete.

Please Note:

• For a more accurate quote on a paint correction, please schedule an appointment to have your paint      evaluated.
• A deposit of at least 25% of the total amount of the service will be required at least one week in advance of service date.
• All Prices are subject to 5% GST and 7% PST. 

Vehicle size Legend: 

Compact vehicles such as sports coupes and small city cars: 

Examples: Porsche 911. Mini cooper, Honda civic. 

Mid-size vehicles such as smaller sedans and compact SUVs:

Examples: Rav4, BMW 3 and 4 series, etc.

Full-size vehicles such as large sedans, SUVs, and regular-sized pickups.

Examples: BMW X5, F150, or Ram 1500 base models, etc.

X-Large-size vehicles such as most large pickup trucks, full-sized SUVs, and minivans.

Examples: F350, Ram 3500, super duty pickups, Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, etc. 

XXL vehicles require special considerations for size. These vehicles include dually, extended cab and 5500 trucks, day cabs and sleeper tractor trailers, camper vans, and recreational vehicles.

Examples: Mercedes Sprinter, Ram 3500 Super Duty Dually Extended cab, etc.
 

Multi-Stage Polishing

Single Stage Polish: 

Achieving a 50% improvement in gloss and overall appearance. 

A single-stage polish removes or reduces the appearance of very fine swirls and scratches, increases gloss, and cleanses the paint. A single-stage polish is most appropriate for a newer vehicle and should be performed before applying a ceramic coating or synthetic sealant. This service is perfect for an annual maintenance detail and can be applied to most ceramic coated cars to improve the performance of the coating.

Compact: $300

Mid-Size: $400

Full-Size: $500

XL, XXL-Size: $600 and up 

Two-Stage Polish: 

A minor correction, achieving 65% to 75% improvement. Recommended before applying a ceramic coating!! 

A two-stage polish is in most cases necessary before applying a ceramic coating even on brand new cars. A two-stage is the best method for correcting defects and improving overall reflection and apperiance while preserving the clear coat for the future. The first stage begins with a medium compound applied with a dual action or rotary polisher with foam pads, followed by a finishing stage with a finish (jewellers) polish applied with a dual action polisher and foam finishing pads. Some minor scratch correction can be achieved with a two stage polish.

Compact: $500

Mid-Size: $600

Full-Size: $700

XL, XXL-Size: $800 and up

Three-Stage Polish: 

True “Paint Correction” to achieve 85% or better results.” 

A Three-stage polish is a recepi for the best appearance enhancement becouse it corrects most defect and achaives a superior gloss and reflection. This is recommended for new vehicles and older vehicles too. New vehicles with soft balck paint often require a three stage polish before applying a ceramic coating if they have been washed improperly at a dealership. A Three stage polish involvers applying a heavy compound with a rotary polisher or a 21 millimeter "Big Foot" dual action polisher. The second step includes a medium compound with dual action polishers and foam pads, and the finishing step involves "jeweling the paint with fine polish and fine pads. A three stage polish can thin out a car’s paintwork so it is recommended that this only be done once or twice in a cars lifetime and that a ceramic coating be applied afterwards to protect the paintwork.

Compact: $700

Mid-Size: $800

Full-Size: $900

XL, XXL-Size: $1,000 and up

Four Stage Polish: 

Four or more stages of extensive paint correction yielding results in the 90% range.

A Four stage polish is most appropriate for vehicles that have been washed aggressively with a wash brush or have been neglected for some time and perfect for vehicles that have been taken off road and vehicles that have very rough paint, or many deep scratches and defects. The four stages often involve firstly working with a rotary and traditional wool pads, followed by consecutive stages with less aggressive compound and pad combinations until the painted surface appears glossy and defect free. A four stage service can thin the clear coat our considerably so it is recommended that a ceramic coating be applied afterword’s. Most modern cars can only receive a four stage polish once in their lifetime.

Compact: $900

Mid-Size: $1,000

Full-Size: $1,100

XL, XXL-Size: $1,200 and up

Wet Sanding and major paint renovation

The cost of wet sanding a vehicle depends highly on several factors such as: the size and age of the vehicle. The composition of the paint is considered such as multi layered epoxy clear, coloured lacquer paint, or modern thin and soft clear coat. An assessment is made for the type and severity of defects as some scratches can be removed more safely and effectively with wet sanding. The cost for sanding a whole vehicle can start at $2,000 and go up from there. No two vehicle paintwork is the same so an in person paint inspection and test spot should be done before a final price can be issued. 

Wet Sanding is a precise method of leveling out a painted surface with various grits of sand paper such as 2000, 3000 and 5000 grits to remove defects such as individual deep scratches, off-roading and wash brush scratches, paint touch up nibs, and orange peel texture in the paintwork. A wet sanding application is followed by multiple steps of machine compounding and paint polishing to remove the texture left by the sand paper. 

Just because you have heard of or seen a car being wet sanded does not mean that it is appropriate for you vehicle. Wet sanding significantly thins out the vehicles paint and should only be done in specific circumstances where machine polishing cannot correct the defects effectively. Sanding can, in some cases, be better for removing some paint defects instead of polishing as it allows for a more precise “levelling’ of the paint substrate without the imprecise application of heat and force applied by a rotating machine pad. Spot sanding individual defects can be done as part of a “Two” or “Three stage’ paint correction.
 

Final thoughts on “Paint Correction”

All vehicle on the road can benefit for some degree of paint polishing. An annual polishing service can be a great way to care for your vehicles paint and will keep your car looking like new and make it easier to clean and care for there by extending the life and good looks of you ca ride for many years to come.

The number of polishing stages depends on the condition of the paint, the customer's budget and expectation. Considerations should be made for how the customer uses the vehicle and how they will care for it in the future. Most vehicles, including new vehicles, require at least one stage of polishing or multi-stage paint correction to create a perfect paint reflection before a sealant, wax or ceramic coating is applied. The correction will be charged according to the paint condition, vehicle size, and the customer’s expectations. In some cases, wet sanding and paint touch-up paint may be required.

Thank you again for taking time to educate yourself on the subject of Paint Correction. We hope that you will find this article informative and that we have managed to help you choose a service that is right for you. 

Please email us at info@imdetailing.ca or call or text 250-327-4696 if you have any question about your service.