Transparent Pricing
The straight answer: 1-step correction starts at $620 and 2-step correction starts at $670 on a coupe. The price scales with vehicle size, and the full breakdown by vehicle is below. The final number comes from an in-person inspection under proper lighting, not from a phone guess.
Stand-alone correction, priced by vehicle size. Final pricing is confirmed after the in-shop inspection under proper lighting.
| Vehicle | 1-Step Correction | 2-Step Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Coupe | $620 | $670 |
| Sedan | $720 | $775 |
| Pick Up Truck | $875 | $960 |
| Small/Medium SUV | $825 | $875 |
| Large SUV | $1,030 | $1,105 |
| Minivan | $1,030 | $1,105 |
Prices shown are for stand-alone correction in average condition. Paint with deeper defects or thin clear coat may change the level we recommend, so final pricing is confirmed after an in-shop paint inspection under proper lighting.
The difference is how many polishing stages your paint needs. Here is what each one removes and who it is for.
Enhancement Polish
60 to 70%
of surface defects removed
1 to 2 days
Typical turnaround
Best for: Newer vehicles, leased cars, and daily drivers with light swirls, haze, or oxidation.
Cut and Refine
85%+
of surface defects removed
2 to 3 days
Typical turnaround
Best for: Neglected paint, dark colors, and vehicles with deep swirls or heavier scratches.
A coupe and a large SUV or pickup have very different amounts of painted surface. More panels means more polish, more pads, and more machine time, so the coupe number is the starting point and larger vehicles land higher in the table above.
Light swirls come out in one stage. Deep swirls, scratches, and etching need a cutting pass plus a refining pass, which is where the jump from 1-step to 2-step pricing comes from.
We measure the clear coat before polishing. Thicker paint allows more aggressive correction, while thin or already-corrected paint limits what is safe, which can change the level we recommend.
Correction is usually paired with a ceramic coating so the finish stays protected. Bundling the two costs less than booking them months apart, and the coating needs a corrected surface anyway.
Two quick tests tell you most of the story before you ever call a shop.
The finger test. Run a fingertip lightly across the scratch, side to side rather than along it. If your nail catches, the defect has likely cut through the clear coat and polishing will only soften it, not erase it. If your nail glides over it, the scratch is sitting in the clear coat and correction can remove it.
The sun test. Park in direct sun or stand under shop LEDs and tilt the panel. Spider-web swirls, haze, and dull rings that only show up under a strong light are exactly what machine polishing levels out. If the paint looks flat and cloudy even in open shade, the clear coat is oxidized and a correction will bring the depth back.
Correction is required before a ceramic coating for best results. A coating is a clear, ultra-durable layer that bonds to the clear coat, and it locks in whatever is underneath it. Swirls and haze that go in under a coating stay there for the life of that coating. Polishing first is what makes the coated finish look mirror-deep instead of glossy but cloudy. You can see the difference in a real job below, and read the full process on our paint correction page.
Before / AfterHeavy swirl marks and clear coat marring on a black door, leveled with two polishing stages under LED inspection.
Most drivers book correction as part of a coating package. Our tiers use Adam's Polishes Professional Grade chemistry, and the corrected surface is what lets the coating bond evenly and last its full term.
| Coating Package | Sedan / Coupe | Small SUV / Crossover | Large SUV / Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Step Paint Correction + Coating | $1,130 to $1,540 | $1,230 to $1,645 | $1,335 to $1,745 |
| 2 Step Paint Correction + Coating | $1,280 to $1,695 | $1,385 to $1,795 | $1,490 to $1,900 |
Each range covers the 1-year, 3-year, and 6+ year coating durations. Full details on the ceramic coating page and the ceramic coating cost page.
Common pricing questions from drivers in Worcester County.
A 1-step correction is typically a 1 to 2 day appointment, and a 2-step correction runs 2 to 3 days. Timing depends on vehicle size and how much the paint needs. Both are done in our Shrewsbury shop, where we control the lighting and dust while polishing.
No, and any shop that promises that is overselling. Correction removes defects that live inside the clear coat. A scratch you can catch your fingernail on has likely passed through the clear coat into the base coat, and that needs touch-up work or, if the panel is dented, paintless dent removal. A 2-step correction reliably removes roughly 85% or more of clear-coat defects, which is what restores a mirror finish.
Yes. Paint protection film is a clear urethane layer that follows the surface it sits on, so swirl marks and scratches stay visible under the film. Polishing first means the film goes onto flat, clean paint, and the corrected finish under the film stays glossier. We also wrap and tuck film edges, so the work is invisible either way.
For best results, yes. A ceramic coating is a clear, ultra-durable layer that bonds to the clear coat, and it locks in whatever is underneath. If swirls and haze go in under the coating, they stay there for the life of the coating. That is why our coating packages include 1-step or 2-step correction.
We can give you a rough range from photos, but the real number comes from an in-person inspection under proper lighting. Swirl depth and clear-coat thickness are judged with a paint meter and direct light, and that is what decides between a 1-step and a 2-step. Bring the vehicle in and we will show you the test spot before any work is booked.
No. Paint correction is done in our Shrewsbury shop only. Machine polishing needs controlled lighting to judge the finish, a clean space to keep dust out of the pads, and power and water for the decontamination stages. Mobile service is available for detailing only, April through November.
Correction sharpens the paint. Coating and film are what keep it that way.
Bring the vehicle in and we will measure the clear coat, show you a test spot, and quote the exact level of correction it needs. 5.0 stars and 390+ reviews from Worcester County drivers.