THE WORKSHOP / Six questions

Paint correction quiz

Six questions about the condition of your paint. Find the guides to read next.

Free to use · No sign-upAll tools

Question 1 of 6Take your time.

How old is your car?

Older cars accumulate more paint damage and are more likely to need serious correction.

HOW IT WORKS

How the paint correction quiz works

The quiz asks six questions — your car's age, how it is usually washed, what the paint looks like in direct sun, where it is parked, whether it has scratches, and what you want to do next. Each answer carries a score, and the total places you in one of four bands, from "maintain the finish" to "get the paint assessed in person". Washing method and visible condition count the most: an automatic brush wash, paint that looks chalky even in shade, or scratches down to the primer move the result further than any other answer.

Before you answer: look at the paint properly

Wash and dry the car first. Dust and water spots hide swirl marks, and they can make healthy paint look dull.
Use one strong light. Look at the bonnet and roof in direct sun at an angle, or in a dark garage with a bright LED torch held low across the panel. Fine circular marks around the reflection of the light are swirl marks.
Do the fingernail test. Run a fingernail gently across a scratch. If it doesn't catch, the scratch is probably in the clear coat and may polish out. If it catches, it is likely too deep to remove safely by polishing.

What the four results mean

Start with careful maintenance. The paint is in good shape. A safe wash routine and regular protection will keep it that way — no polishing needed.
Understand light paint defects. You probably have fine swirl marks. These usually respond to a single-stage polish, starting with the least aggressive pad and polish that works.
Get a closer paint assessment. The defects are more visible. Before any machine work, check the paint thickness and test a small area first — heavier correction removes more clear coat.
Learn what restoration can address. Heavy oxidation, or scratches through the clear coat, may be beyond polishing. An in-person assessment will tell you whether correction, touch-up or a repaint is the realistic fix.

What the quiz can't tell you

It is a learning check, not an inspection. It can't measure how much clear coat your car has left, spot a panel that has been repainted, or see defects you haven't noticed. Use the result as a guide to what to read and check next, and always test any compound or polish on a small, hidden area first.