Paint Correction
Can Paint Correction Remove Every Scratch?
Some defects level out. Some do not. How to tell the difference before work starts.
How polishing actually works
Paint correction removes defects by leveling the clear coat around them. A machine polisher with the right pad and compound shaves microns of clear coat until the surface surrounding a scratch is flat, which makes the defect disappear. It's controlled, measurable removal, not filling or hiding.
Clear coat thickness and its limits
Factory clear coat is typically 35–50 microns thick, and safe correction uses only a small fraction of it. We measure paint thickness panel by panel before quoting correction work so we know exactly how much room we have. Deep defects on thin paint get improved to a safe level, not chased to the last micron.
The fingernail test and what it tells you
Drag a fingernail lightly across a scratch: if the nail catches, the scratch is usually through or near the bottom of the clear coat, and full removal would require removing too much material. Scratches that don't catch can typically be fully corrected. It's a quick field test, but a proper inspection under lighting gives the definitive answer.
Setting realistic expectations
On most vehicles we achieve 85–95% defect removal safely. Isolated deep scratches may remain faintly visible at certain angles rather than compromise the remaining clear coat. We walk the car with you before work starts and mark which defects will disappear completely and which will be improved, no surprises at delivery.
