THE WORKSHOP / See the difference

Before & after explorer

Slide between two illustrated surfaces under the same light. Learn what correction changes.

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Same surface. Same light.

Drag the slider to reveal the model with fewer defects. The light and viewing angle stay fixed so the surface change is easier to read.

BEFOREAFTER

Reveal the difference 50 / 50

Illustration under matched light. The model explains visible defects; it does not promise a correction result.

What changed?

Paint correction can reduce visible defects in the clear coat. It involves a measured removal of material, rather than filling in every scratch.

How much correction is appropriate depends on the actual paint, defect depth and previous work. Start by understanding inspection.

Read the correction process Explore the paint layers

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING

What paint correction actually changes

A swirl mark is a fine scratch in the clear coat, and light catching its edges is what makes paint look hazy or spider-webbed in the sun. Paint correction doesn't fill those scratches — it levels the clear coat around them, removing a very thin layer with a machine polisher until the edges are gone and the surface reflects light cleanly again. The explorer shows that change on an illustrated panel: the light and the viewing angle never move, so the only thing that changes is the surface.

What correction can and can't fix

Usually correctable: swirl marks, wash marring, buffer holograms, light scratches that don't catch a fingernail, water-spot etching and mild oxidation.
Often improved, not always removed: deeper scratches and bird-dropping etches. They can be made far less visible, but removing them completely may take more clear coat than is safe.
Not fixable by polishing: stone chips, scratches through to the colour coat or primer, clear coat that is peeling or cracking, and dents. These need touch-up paint, a smart repair or a respray.

How to judge real before-and-after photos

Studio photos can be very persuasive, so check how they were taken. A fair comparison uses the same panel, the same light and the same camera angle. Be wary of an "after" shot taken in soft shade when the "before" was in harsh sun, and of glazes and waxes that fill swirls for a few weeks before washing out. Ask to see the paint under an inspection light before and after correction — good studios are happy to show you.

After correction

Freshly polished paint has no protection at all. Apply a sealant or ceramic coating within a day, and change the habits that caused the swirls in the first place — dry wiping, sponges and automatic brush washes — or they will be back within months.