01 / ONE-STEP
One-step correction
A single machine-polishing stage, done mobile at your home or business if you have a garage or shop space available.
Paint Correction in Portland, OR
In short: Platinum Auto Care provides paint correction for vehicles across Portland and the metro area: we inspect your paint under inspection lighting, measure paint thickness, then machine polish the full car to reduce swirl marks, oxidation, haze and light scratches. One-step correction can be done mobile at your home or business if you have a garage or shop space available; multi-step correction, which involves wet sanding, is done at our shop at 5954 SE 111th Ave (by appointment only) or another enclosed space. Send your year, make, model, clear paint photos and ZIP code for a quote tailored to your vehicle.
01 / The basics
What is paint correction?
Your car's color sits beneath a clear protective finish. Washing and everyday use leave fine marks in that clear coat that scatter light and make paint look hazy or dull.
Paint correction is the process of leveling and polishing the paint to remove those imperfections. Using machine polishing pads and compounds, we carefully remove a small amount of clear coat to reduce swirl marks, oxidation, haze and mild scratches, revealing a clearer, glossier finish.
What it is not:
- Not a fix for every scratch. Deeper scratches may extend beyond what can safely be polished out. Deep scratches, failed clear coat or damage beyond safe correction may require body-shop repair.
- Not protection on its own. Correction refines the finish; protection (wax, sealant, ceramic coating or paint protection film) helps preserve it.
02 / The Platinum process
Our process
Inspect.
Inspection lighting reveals the swirls and haze ordinary daylight can hide. We assess the paint, visible defects and existing protection, and agree on the finish you want and what can safely be improved.
Wash & decontaminate.
A thorough wash, then chemical and, where needed, mechanical decontamination to remove bonded residue.
Correct.
We evaluate the clean paint and machine polish as appropriate to refine swirls, oxidation or haze. The correction scope is chosen around your paint's condition.
Protect (optional).
Panel preparation removes polishing oils so your chosen protection can bond to a clean surface.
Measured, not guessed. We use a paint thickness gauge and measure before and after correction, so we know how much clear coat there is to work with and how much remains.
The whole car, not just a panel. Paint correction covers all painted surfaces of the vehicle, not individual panels.
03 / Choose the level
Correction stages: one-step vs. multi-step
The right level of correction depends on your paint's condition and your goals; we recommend a scope after inspecting your vehicle.
02 / MULTI-STEP
Multi-step correction
A more intensive, multi-stage correction that involves wet sanding, so it is done at our shop on SE 111th Ave (by appointment only) or another enclosed space. Our background in sanding is what sets our multi-step work apart.
No correction removes 100% of defects on every car; the goal is a better finish while respecting the paint's condition.
04 / Quotes
How quotes work
Vehicle size, paint condition and the level of correction required all affect the total. To get an accurate quote, send:
- Year, make and model
- Clear photos of the paint and any defects you've noticed
- Your goal: what you want to improve or preserve
- Your ZIP code, so we can confirm suitable arrangements
We confirm the scope of work and price before you book. The final price can change after the in-person inspection, but we'll tell you before any work begins.
05 / Timing
How long does paint correction take?
Timing depends on vehicle size, paint condition and the level of correction. We confirm the work schedule and handover time after assessing your vehicle. One-step correction typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours when paired with an exterior detail. Multi-step correction time varies with the vehicle's condition, depending on whether wet sanding is needed.
06 / Correction + protection
Pairing paint correction with ceramic coating
A coating will not erase swirls, oxidation or haze; if those defects are left in the paint, they stay visible beneath the protection. That is why we evaluate and refine the finish first, then prepare the panels and install protection. Polishing creates the clarity; coating helps preserve it. Our higher-end ceramic coating packages include full paint correction, and a typical correction-plus-coating job takes about 48 hours (two days) for correction and cure – longer if the paint needs heavy correction. Ceramic coating clients leave with a before-and-after paint thickness report sheet.
- → Learn more about ceramic coating in Portland.
- → For rock-chip and road-debris protection, see paint protection film (PPF). Ceramic coating is not a rock-chip barrier.
07 / Aftercare
Keeping the finish after correction
Wash with pH-balanced, non-abrasive shampoo, soft microfiber and the two-bucket method; avoid automatic brush washes; remove bird droppings, sap and bugs promptly. Read our full guide: 8 Secrets to Maintaining Your Paint Correction Finish.
08 / Portland & the metro
Service area
Mobile service where you have a garage or shop space available, or at our shop at 5954 SE 111th Ave, Portland, OR 97266 (by appointment only), serving owners across the metro:
Platinum Auto Care5954 SE 111th Ave
Portland, OR 97266Visit by appointment
Portland, OR 97266Visit by appointment
- Portland
- West side: Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Hillsboro
- South metro: Lake Oswego, West Linn
- East metro: Happy Valley, Clackamas, Gresham
- Across the river: Vancouver, WA
Share your ZIP code with your vehicle details so we can confirm arrangements. Our paint correction service area runs north to Kalama, south to Salem, east to Hood River and west to Forest Grove.
What does paint correction fix?
Paint correction uses machine polishing to reduce swirl marks, oxidation, haze and mild scratches in the clear coat. Deeper scratches may go beyond what can safely be polished out, and failed clear coat or deep damage may need body-shop repair.
How much does paint correction cost in Portland?
Vehicle size, paint condition and the level of correction required all affect the price. Send your year, make, model, clear paint photos and ZIP code for a quote; we confirm scope and price before you book. The final price can change after the in-person inspection, but we'll tell you before any work begins.
Is paint correction done at my home?
It can be. One-step correction is done mobile at your home or business if you have a garage or shop space available. Otherwise, and for multi-step correction (which involves wet sanding), work is done at our shop at 5954 SE 111th Ave, Portland, by appointment only, or another enclosed space.
How long does paint correction take?
One-step correction typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours when paired with an exterior detail. Multi-step correction time varies with the vehicle's condition, depending on whether wet sanding is needed. We confirm the schedule and handover time after assessing your vehicle.
Does paint correction remove clear coat?
Yes, a small amount. Polishing carefully removes a micro-layer of clear coat to level out defects, which is why we inspect first and choose the correction scope around the paint's condition.
Do I need paint correction before ceramic coating?
Every vehicle needs an evaluation and thorough preparation. Machine polishing may be appropriate for swirls, haze or oxidation, but the level depends on paint condition and your goals. A coating does not remove visible defects.
Does a new car need paint correction?
It is still worth inspecting: transport, storage and dealership washing can leave contamination or fine swirls. Inspection determines whether a light polish is needed.
How do I keep my car looking good after correction?
Use pH-balanced shampoo, clean microfiber and the two-bucket method, avoid automatic brush washes, and remove contamination promptly. Ceramic coating or PPF can help preserve the finish longer.
Inspect. Correct. Protect.
Ready for a clearer finish?
Start with your year, make, model and a few clear photos of your paint.