Service · Machine polishing
Paint correction physically levels the clear coat to remove swirls, wash marks and oxidisation — restoring gloss and clarity that a wash and wax cannot.
What correction fixes
Most "dull" paint isn't worn out — it's covered in thousands of fine scratches that scatter light instead of reflecting it. Machine polishing removes them.
How far we can go depends on two things: the condition and thickness of your clear coat, and what you want out of the car. We measure the first and talk through the second before any machine touches the paint.
Correction levels
Correction is measured in steps, and each step is a genuine sequence — cut, then refine, then refine again. More steps means more defect removal, more time, and more cost.
Stage 01Paint enhancement and gloss improvement
A single machine polishing step that lifts gloss, clarity and depth while removing a meaningful share of lighter swirls and wash marks. The best-value option for a well-kept daily driver, or for paint that is going straight under a coating.
Stage 02Heavier defect removal, then refinement
A cutting stage to remove deeper defects, followed by a refining stage to remove the haze the cut leaves behind. This is where paint stops looking 'clean' and starts looking corrected — sharp reflections, no visible swirling under direct light.
Stage 03For heavily defected paint and show finishes
Multiple cut and refine steps, panel by panel, with paint depth readings taken throughout. Reserved for neglected paint, hard clear coats, or owners chasing the maximum finish their paint can safely give. Always quoted after an in-person inspection.
Percentages are a guide, not a promise. Two cars with identical mileage can have very different clear coats. Every quote follows an in-person or photo-based assessment, and we tell you what will be removed, what will be improved, and what will still be there.
Before & after
Drag the handle across to see what a correction actually changes.
Before
After
A section of the bonnet gets taped off and one side is polished. Same panel, same inspection light, same minute — so what you are looking at is the work, not a different camera angle or a kinder bit of weather.
On the left, the light scatters into a haze because thousands of fine scratches are throwing it in every direction. On the right, the clear coat is level again, so the reflection stays a sharp point. That is the whole job in one photo.
The process
Paint inspected under dedicated lighting and paint depth measured across the vehicle.
Wash, iron fallout removal, tar removal and mechanical decontamination.
A test section determines the least aggressive combination that gets the result.
Defect removal stage, worked panel by panel and checked as we go.
Finishing stage that removes haze and brings up maximum gloss.
Sealant or ceramic coating applied so the finish is locked in, not left bare.
Correction + protection
Polishing removes a small amount of clear coat. Sealing or coating it afterwards is what keeps the result — and keeps the next wash from putting the swirls straight back.
Reviews
“Brayden is professional and his attention to detail on the full interior & exterior detail on my G Wagon was top tier! I could not be happier with his service and recommend to anyone wanting to get their car detailed with some extra TLC!”
“I got the new 7 year ceramic coating from the guys at Standout Auto detailing and the ute looks better then it did in the showroom. The water runs straight off and it so easy to wash now.”
“Absolutely Amazing! I drove my brand new LC300 series from the dealer straight to Brayden for the ceramic coating. He had it done and it was ready for pick up the following day. Incredible results.”
FAQ
Paint correction is the process of machine polishing a vehicle's clear coat to remove defects — swirl marks, wash scratches, oxidisation, haze and light scratches. A small, controlled amount of clear coat is levelled so that the surface reflects light evenly again. It is not a filler or a temporary cover-up; the defects are physically removed.
No, and anyone who promises otherwise isn't being straight with you. If a scratch has gone through the clear coat — you can usually catch it with a fingernail — it can't be polished out safely. We measure paint depth and work within what the clear coat can give. Every vehicle gets an honest assessment of what will be removed, what will be improved, and what will still be there afterwards.
Every quote is done per vehicle, because pricing depends on size, condition and the service you're after — a maintenance detail on a well-kept car and a recovery detail on a neglected work ute are very different jobs. Send an enquiry with a few photos and we'll come back with a firm number, usually the same day. There is no obligation and no follow-up campaign if you decide against it.
Almost always, yes. New cars pick up defects in transport, in pre-delivery washing and on the dealer lot, and factory paint frequently arrives with sanding marks or light swirling already in it. Coating over that permanently seals it in. A single-stage correction before coating is standard on new vehicle packages.
Ready when you are
Professional detailing, correction and protection from Standout Auto Detailing — workshop and mobile in Lithgow, mobile throughout Bathurst.
