Paint Correction in Ferndale, WA
Machine polishing that removes the swirls, water spots and scratches your paint has collected. On its own it restores the finish. Under a ceramic coating, it is what makes the coating worth doing.
4.9 from 49+ Google reviews · From $399
Before and After Paint Correction
Overview
Swirls, oxidation and etching — machined out.
Most of what people call "faded paint" is not faded at all. It is thousands of fine scratches in the clear coat scattering light in every direction. Remove them and the color underneath returns, because it never left. That is what paint correction does.
The distinction that matters: filling versus correcting. Glazes and cheap all-in-one products hide defects with oils that wash out in a few months. Correction abrades a controlled amount of clear coat until the defect is level with the surface. It is permanent, and it is the only honest foundation for a ceramic coating.
We measure before we cut. A paint depth gauge tells us how much clear coat is actually there — factory paint, a repaint, or a panel that has already been polished hard by someone else. That reading decides how aggressive we can safely be, and we will tell you if a panel cannot take another correction.
Our work
Correction work
Swirls, holograms and wash marks removed under inspection lighting.
Packages
Paint Correction tiers
Every package is priced for your vehicle after we see it. These are honest starting points, not bait.
Level 3 Show Finish
$1,495
Coating-ready · 3–4 days
Three-stage cut, polish and jewel. For dark paint, show cars and concours work.
- Full decon, clay & tar
- Heavy cut, refine, and jewelling pass
- Removes 90–95% of defects
- Trim and glass polished
- Multi-angle inspection documented
Level 2 Correction
$899
Coating-ready · 2 days
Two-stage cut and polish. The standard prep before a multi-year ceramic coating.
- Full decon & clay
- Compound cut + refine polish
- Removes 80–90% of defects
- Paint depth documented
- Coating-ready finish
Gloss Enhancement
$399
Sealant included · 1 day
One-step polish. Removes light swirls and lifts gloss significantly without heavy cutting.
- Decon wash & clay
- Single-step machine polish
- Removes 50–70% of light defects
- Ceramic sealant applied
The process
Every step, in order
- 01
Depth reading & test spot
Paint gauge across every panel, then a test section to find the least aggressive combination that works.
- 02
Decontamination
Hand wash, iron remover, tar, and clay — polishing over bonded contamination just grinds it into the paint.
- 03
Cutting stage
Compound and pad matched to your paint hardness. Speed, pressure and pad load adjusted as the paint responds.
- 04
Polishing stage
Refines the cutting haze and restores clarity and depth.
- 05
Jewelling (three-stage only)
A final ultra-fine pass for maximum gloss on dark and show paint.
- 06
Inspection & protection
Multi-angle lighting inspection, then a protective layer so the work does not undo itself.
Free instant estimate
Price your paint correction
Your estimate
Paint Correction · Gloss Enhancement · 1 day
- Decon wash & clay
- Single-step machine polish
- Removes 50–70% of light defects
- Ceramic sealant applied
Final quote confirmed in person. Paint depth, vehicle condition and add-ons may adjust pricing.
What people say
What clients say
Super friendly, great work, best price. Offered very clear instructions on what they would proceed, options, even suggested a less expensive option for me. Honest, friendly, professional. And my car looks amazing!
I had tried for months to remove 10+ bumper stickers from the back of my car to no avail. They went the extra mile and the back of my car is now completely free of all stickers and residue. Fantastic customer service.
They did an amazing job and went above and beyond to work on my car right around the holidays. They took extra steps to work with my schedule which I deeply appreciated. I definitely recommend Albrecht!
FAQ
Questions, answered
Buffing is a vague term that can mean anything from a proper machine correction to a glaze that hides defects for a month. Correction is a measured process: we read paint depth, run a test spot, and abrade a controlled amount of clear coat so the defect is permanently level. The results do not wash out.
Book your paint correction
Free same-day estimate. Pickup and delivery across Whatcom County. By appointment, seven days a week.