Remove Swirls, Haze, and Fine Scratches
Precise Paint Correction in Peoria, IL
A Clearer, More Reflective Finish
Every vehicle picks up swirl marks, light scratches, and hazing over time, usually from automatic car washes, dust, and everyday wiping. Paint correction is a multi-stage machine polishing process that levels out that surface damage, bringing back the depth and reflection the paint had when the vehicle was new. At Detail Peoria, we offer three stages of paint correction depending on how much surface defect removal your vehicle needs and how it will be used going forward. Each stage uses progressively more aggressive compounds and pads, so we start conservative and only move to a heavier cut when the paint actually needs it.
Paint correction is also the foundation of every ceramic coating package we offer. A coating only looks as good as the surface underneath it, so correcting the paint first is what makes the finished gloss stand out under direct light. Even if you are not planning to add a coating right away, a corrected finish photographs noticeably better and holds up better against future swirling than paint that has never been polished.
Three Stages to a Flawless Finish
Our Paint Polishing & Correction Packages
1 Step Paint Correction
Starting at $650
Turnaround, usually 6 to 8 hours
A single stage polish aimed at meaningful defect removal for vehicles with light to moderate swirling. This is our most requested package for daily drivers that just need a refresh rather than a full correction. It is also a popular choice for owners preparing to sell or trade in a vehicle who want the paint looking its best.
This Package Includes:
- Level 1 exterior detail
- Paint decontamination
- 1 step (single stage) polishing
- We aim for 75 percent or greater defect removal
2 Step Paint Correction
Starting at $936
Turnaround, usually 8 to 10 hours
A compound and polish combination for vehicles with heavier swirling or oxidation. This tier suits vehicles that have gone through several years of automatic car washes or regular commuting without much paint care. It is also a common choice for a recently purchased used vehicle where the paint history is unknown.
This Package Includes:
- Level 2 exterior detail
- Paint decontamination
- 2 step (compound and polish) process
- We aim for 75 percent or greater defect removal
3 Step Paint Correction
Starting at $1,444
Turnaround, usually 12 to 14 hours
Our most thorough option, adding a jeweling step for the highest level of clarity we offer. This tier is built for owners chasing the closest thing to a flawless finish, often ahead of a ceramic coating application or a show. It is also the right choice if your paint has years of accumulated swirling that lighter stages will not fully resolve.
This Package Includes:
- Level 2 exterior detail
- Paint decontamination
- 3 step (cutting, polishing, and jeweling) process
- We aim for 90 percent or greater defect removal
Finding Your Fit
Which Paint Correction Package Fits Your Vehicle
For Daily Drivers
The 1 step package is the right starting point for most daily drivers, especially vehicles with light swirling that still look reasonably clean under normal daylight. If your biggest concern is bringing back some shine without a major investment, this is usually where we start.
For Commuters and Recent Purchases
The 2 step package fits vehicles that have spent a few years going through automatic car washes, or that show more visible haze under direct sun. This is also a common choice after a used vehicle purchase, where the paint has some history but is not in rough shape.
For Show Cars and Pre-Coating Prep
The 3 step package is built for owners chasing the closest thing to a flawless finish, often ahead of a ceramic coating application, a show, or a sale where presentation matters most. This is our most thorough option and takes the longest to complete.
Still Not Sure
If you are not sure which level your vehicle needs, we are happy to take a look and walk you through what we see under direct light before recommending a package. We would rather start with an honest assessment than sell you a stage your paint does not actually need.
Pair it with Ceramic Coating
Lock In Your Results
Paint correction removes surface defects, but it does not add any lasting layer of its own. Most clients pair their correction with our
ceramic coating service so the newly leveled paint stays protected against fresh swirling and UV exposure for years rather than weeks. If your paint also has deeper chips or high-impact areas you want to guard going forward, our
paint protection film service is worth asking about at the same time. Booking correction and coating together also saves a step, since the paint only needs to be decontaminated and prepped once for both services.
Spider Web Swirls
Fine circular scratches that show up most under direct sun or parking lot lights, usually from automatic washes.
Dull, Hazy Paint
A cloudy look across large panels that no longer reflects light with the clarity it once had.
Etched Water Spots
Mineral deposits left to dry on the paint can etch into the clear coat if left untreated too long.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How is paint correction different from a regular wash and wax?
A wash and wax cleans and adds temporary gloss, but it does not remove swirl marks or haze baked into the clear coat. Paint correction uses machine polishing to level out that surface damage before any coating or wax is applied.
Will paint correction remove every scratch?
Deeper scratches that go through the clear coat cannot be leveled out through polishing alone. Our 3 step package aims for 90 percent or greater defect removal on the swirling and haze that polishing can address, and we will let you know upfront if a specific scratch is outside what correction can fix.
How long does paint correction take?
Turnaround runs from about 6 to 8 hours for the 1 step package up to 12 to 14 hours for the 3 step package, depending on the size of the vehicle and the condition of the paint.
Should I get paint correction before ceramic coating?
Every one of our ceramic coating packages includes a paint correction step for this reason. Coating over swirled paint locks in the imperfections rather than hiding them.
Do you correct paint on older or classic vehicles?
We do, though older paint sometimes needs a more conservative approach depending on how thin the clear coat has become. We will assess your vehicle's paint before recommending a stage, and we are always upfront if a vehicle's paint has less room for correction than a newer one.
