Paint Correction Pricing (and How to Stop Scope Creep)
The Short Answer
Real prices: enhancement polish (1-step) $400–$650, 2-step correction $700–$1,200, multi-stage show correction $1,500–$3,000+. Rock chips, deep scratches through the clear, and holograms from the previous detailer are NOT included — they are separate line items, quoted after inspection.
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Paint correction is where new detailers lose the most money — not on the polish, but on the scope. The customer says 'just buff this out' pointing at a rock chip, you nod, and now you're on the hook for a repaint. Scope creep in this service kills margins faster than any tool cost.
Enhancement (1-step): $400–$650. Two-step correction: $700–$1,200. Multi-stage show finish: $1,500–$3,000+. Prices assume oxidized clear coat — not deep scratches, rock chips, or repainted panels, which require separate quoting.
The Three Correction Tiers
| Tier | What It Removes | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhancement (1-step) | Light swirls, spider webbing, minor oxidation — ~50% defect removal | 4–6 hrs | $400–$650 |
| 2-Step Correction | Deeper swirls, water spots, mild sanding marks — 85–95% removal | 8–12 hrs | $700–$1,200 |
| Multi-Stage Show | Full compound + polish + refinement, 98%+ removal on show-car finish | 16–24 hrs | $1,500–$3,000+ |
| Wet-sanding + correction | Orange peel, sanding scratches, ceramic prep on repainted panel | +$200/panel | Add-on |
What Correction Does NOT Fix
- Rock chips down to primer or metal — needs touch-up paint or PDR, not polishing
- Deep scratches you can feel with a fingernail — those are through the clear coat
- Etching from bird droppings that has burned into the clear
- Repainted panels with orange peel — needs wet-sanding, separate line item
- Holograms from a previous detailer's rotary — these are correctable but count as a full 2-step, not a 1-step
The Fingernail Test
Before quoting: run your fingernail lightly across every scratch the customer points at. If your nail catches, the scratch is through the clear coat and cannot be polished out — it needs touch-up paint or a repaint. Say this out loud on-site: 'That one I can't polish out — the clear is gone. I can hide it, but I can't erase it.' This one sentence prevents 80% of paint-correction disputes.
Pre-Job Inspection Protocol
- Full walk-around with the customer, phone flashlight held tangent to each panel
- Photograph every rock chip, deep scratch, and repaint transition — timestamped, before you touch anything
- Paint depth gauge on every panel; note readings under 90 microns as 'thin — cannot correct without risk'
- Identify repainted panels (color mismatch under sun, different orange peel) — quote correction on those separately
- Write on the invoice: 'Correction removes above-clear defects only. Chips, deep scratches, and previous body work are noted and excluded.'
- Have the customer initial the inspection photo before you start
Scripts That Stop Scope Creep
Scope creep isn't malicious — it's a customer who genuinely thinks polishing is magic. Your job is to reset the expectation in 20 seconds, without sounding defensive.
| What They Say | What You Say |
|---|---|
| 'Can you buff out this rock chip?' | 'Not with a polisher — that one's through the clear into the primer. I can dab touch-up paint on it for $25, or I can leave it and focus on the swirls.' |
| 'What about this deep scratch?' | 'Feel it with your fingernail — if it catches, we can't polish it out. I can make it less visible by leveling the surrounding paint, but the line will still be there.' |
| 'The last guy left swirls — can you fix his work?' | 'Yes, but those holograms take a full 2-step to remove — it's not a 1-step job. I'll quote it at $850 instead of $500.' |
| 'Can you throw in the wheels since you're here?' | 'Wheel faces or wheel barrels? Faces I can add for $80 with the correction. Barrels are a separate 3-hour job at $200.' |
| 'It's cheaper if I do the wash myself, right?' | 'The wash is where 90% of the swirls come from — if I don't decontaminate the paint properly, the correction won't hold. Wash is included, not optional.' |
Add-On Ladder (Where the Margin Lives)
- Touch-up paint on rock chips: $25 per chip, min $75
- Headlight restoration: $80 pair, add during masking prep
- Trim / plastic restoration: $60–$120 depending on surface count
- Ceramic coating on top of correction: $600–$1,500 depending on package (this is the natural upsell — a corrected car unprotected will swirl again in 90 days)
- Wheel-off wheel correction + coating: $250–$400
- Engine bay dressing: $60
Deposits & Cancellation
A 2-step correction ties up your entire day. Take a 30% non-refundable deposit at booking, full payment on completion. Cancellations inside 48 hours forfeit the deposit — spell it out on the invoice. This one policy alone will save you 5–10 lost days per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many microns of clear can I safely remove?
The industry rule is 25% of the clear coat, and never below 90 microns total paint thickness. Measure every panel before you cut. A single burn-through claim will eat every dollar of profit for the year.
1-step or 2-step for a daily driver?
1-step for cars under 3 years old with light swirl marks. 2-step for anything with deeper defects, dark-colored paint (defects are more visible), or a customer who explicitly wants a 'show finish.' Never sell 1-step and deliver 2-step results — set the expectation exactly to the tier.
Do I need to offer paint correction to run a profitable mobile business?
No — you can build a highly profitable mobile detail operation on wash, interior, and ceramic maintenance alone. Correction is a specialization that raises your top-line ticket, but the learning curve (and burn-through risk) is steep. Master wash chemistry and interiors first.
Related Guides
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