Restore the shine and clarity to your vehicle’s paint by our detailing experts.
Paint correction is the process of removing visible flaws like swirls, scratches, water spots, and other imperfections from your car’s paint to restore a smooth, glossy finish. You might also hear it called buffing or polishing, but when done right, it goes far beyond what those quick terms suggest.
With the right approach, your vehicle can look even better than it did when you first got it, especially when sunlight hits the newly polished surface. Whether it’s your daily commuter, a weekend cruiser, or a work truck, our team has the experience and equipment to take your paint to the next level.
This process involves using dual-action polishers and specialized pads, paired with compounds and polishes tailored to your vehicle’s specific paint type. Our goal? Remove the defects while preserving as much of the clear coat as possible.
That part matters more than most realize. Being too aggressive during polishing can wear down or even burn through the clear coat, something we’ve unfortunately seen far too often from rushed or inexperienced work. When that happens, repainting is the only fix.
At Nearby Auto Detail, we treat each job with precision. We test and assess every surface to figure out the safest and most effective way to get results. Many customers even follow up their correction with a ceramic coating for added protection from Michigan’s unpredictable seasons
We achieve top-quality results by following a carefully refined process. Unlike quick-turnaround car washes, we focus on every step to ensure a high-quality finish.
Thorough wash and dry: We start with a thorough exterior wash, including wheels and tires, to remove dirt, road grime, and contaminants. A clean surface is essential before any polishing begins.
Cleanse the paint: This step removes stubborn, embedded contaminants like brake dust and industrial fallout. A smooth, contaminant-free surface ensures the best results during polishing.
Inspect the paint and perform a test spot: We evaluate your vehicle’s paint condition and test different polish and pad combinations to find the best approach. This ensures we get maximum results with minimal clear coat removal.
Polish the imperfections away: This is where the magic happens. Using professional-grade polishers and compounds, we carefully remove swirls, scratches, and haze from the paint. Whether you’re looking for a full restoration or just an enhancement, we tailor the process to your vehicle’s needs.
Protect your paint: Once the polishing step is completed, we apply a high-quality sealant or ceramic coating (available at an additional cost) to lock in the results and protect against Dorr’s elements.
Final touches: To complete the job, we clean all the glass and windows, wipe down door jambs, and dress the tires for that fully detailed look.
We use this proven system on all vehicles, from newer models needing minor enhancement to older vehicles requiring a full restoration.
And the best part? We’re mobile! So we make it very convenient to get your car detailed and freshed up while you’re at home or work.
We service Dorr and nearby areas like Grand Rapids, MI, East Grand Rapids, MI, Holland, MI, Zeeland, MI, Wyoming, MI, and Hudsonville, MI.
Delivering the best paint correction results is our goal, but we also focus on providing top-notch customer service. That’s why we have dozens of 5-star reviews from satisfied customers. You can read more reviews here.
“Cody was great! My car had gotten overspray all over it and he did an amazing job with it. Thank you!” – Samantha Selby
“Cody is awesome!! He did a spectacular job on my car! Took his time and every inch looked brand new and bonus, smelled like a new car again!!! He was easy to get a hold of and A+ with communication!!!! I do appreciate that!!! I would recommend this man to anyone, on top of that he is a veteran and he gave back to me by allowing me to support his livelihood!!! Thank you Cody!! I will definitely be booking again!” – Frances Sietsema
“Cody was great! We had an unexpected car issue and he was able to accommodate a schedule change. He was punctual and took great care of our car while at our house. The car looks brand new! Thank you, Cody!” – Latricia Kadrlik
Achieving a flawless finish requires the right tools for the job. No single solution works for every vehicle, which is why we carry a wide range of professional-grade polishers, pads, and compounds.
Polishers
Polishers come in different sizes (1″, 3″, 5″, and more) and styles, including rotary, dual-action, and forced rotation. The larger throw polishers are ideal for hoods and large panels. Smaller polishers work better for tight areas like bumpers and side mirrors. We also use the smaller polisher during the headlight restoration process.
Pads
Pads are what actually buff the paint surface when attached to a polisher. We use a variety, depending on the level of correction needed. For instance, wool pads are used for the most aggressive level of swirl removal. If there’s a vehicle with “hard” clear coat, we’ll need to get more aggressive to get the swirls out. Most aggressive, used for heavy swirl removal.
After that, you have the microfiber cutting pads that are the happy middle between it’s not the most aggressive but also not the weakest. And finally, the foam polishing pads are used as the last refinement step to bring out the maximum gloss and clarity.
Compounds and Polishes
The last step of the equations are the compounds and polishes. For the cutting step, when it comes to removing the imperfections, we lean towards the compounds as they’ll give you the cut you need. And on the final step, to really bring out the gloss and clarity, you use a polishing pad with a fine polish.
We always perform test spots to determine the best pad, polish, and compound combination before working on your vehicle.
While paint correction is one of our top-tier services, it’s not the only way we help keep your vehicle in excellent shape. At Nearby Auto Detail, we offer a focused list of mobile detailing services that deliver great results, inside and out:
Protect your freshly corrected paint with a high-performance ceramic coating. This adds a slick, hydrophobic barrier that repels water, dirt, and UV rays, keeping your paint looking sharp for longer.
Need a quick interior refresh? Our express service includes vacuuming, a wipe-down of interior surfaces, and glass cleaning. Great for regular maintenance.
When your interior needs serious attention, our complete package covers it all, from vacuuming and shampooing to leather and vinyl cleaning. We leave every surface spotless and fresh.
This quick service includes a gentle hand wash, wheel cleaning, and a light layer of protection. Perfect for keeping your exterior tidy between full details.
A full reset for your vehicle’s paint and trim. We wash, clay, polish, and protect every inch for that showroom finish, all from the convenience of your driveway.
Foggy headlights reduce visibility and make your vehicle look older. We polish and seal your lenses to restore clarity and improve safety.
We safely clean and dress the top-side of your engine bay, removing dirt and grime while conditioning the plastic and rubber components for a crisp, like-new look.
You’ll hear the term “soft” and “hard” clear coats be used when we talk about polishing paint because it can really have an impact on the process and results.
Clear coats protect a vehicle’s paint, but not all clear coats are the same. You can categorize in two bucks, hard clear coat and soft clear coat.
A hard clear coat is more resistant to scratches and swirls, meaning your paint stays looking better for longer. However, once imperfections like swirls and other imperfections appear, they take a lot more effort (and time) to remove. Generally speaking, a hard clear coat will require more aggressive compounds, pads, and even polishers to the desired results. The advantage is that once corrected, the paint stays looking great for longer.
A soft clear coat, on the other hand, is much easier to scratch and swirl, making it more prone to imperfections. However, this also means that paint correction is typically easier and requires less time and effort. Swirls and light defects can often be removed with less aggressive polishes and pads and reduce the amount of clear coat that needs to be removed. The downside is that maintaining a soft clear coat requires more gentle washing and drying techniques to avoid reintroducing imperfections.
Regardless if your clear coat is soft or hard, we have the right tools, products, and process to get the job done right.
If your paint has seen better days, or if you’re ready to finally bring out that deep shine, it’s time to schedule a paint correction. Nearby Auto Detail brings the detail shop to your driveway, using expert methods and top-tier products to deliver results that last.
Call us or book online today. We serve Dorr and nearby areas like Hudsonville, Byron Center, and Zeeland. Let’s get your vehicle looking its absolute best, without you ever leaving home.
