Dunedin's Paint Correction Specialists

Swirl Marks Gone. Real Paint. Dunedin Results.

Express Detailing Dunedin removes scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation from your car's paint using machine polishing — not a cover-up. Quote back within the hour.

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Or call now: +64276696664

Why Dunedin Cars Need Paint Correction

Dunedin's roads do a number on your paint. Salt air off the harbour, gritty southern roads, and tight street parking mean swirl marks, fine scratches, and dull oxidation build up faster than most owners realise. By the time it's obvious under sunlight, the damage is already layered in.

Paint correction is the only process that physically removes that damaged layer of clear coat. Waxing or polishing sprays sit on top and wear off in weeks. Correction removes the defects at the source. What you're left with is the actual paint restored to how it looked before the scratches got there.

If you're planning to sell, coat, or simply want to stop cringing every time sunlight hits the bonnet, this is the service that fixes it. Properly done, it adds to your resale value and gives ceramic coatings a clean surface worth protecting.

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Real Paint Correction Results

Before Paint Correction BEFORE
After Paint Correction AFTER

Toyota HiLux bonnet covered in swirl marks from automatic washes, restored to a clear single-tone finish after two-stage correction

Paint Correction Packages

Choose the level of protection that's right for your vehicle.

Single Stage

  • ✓ Full exterior wash and decontamination
  • ✓ Iron fallout and tar removal
  • ✓ One-stage machine polish to reduce light swirl marks and hazing
  • ✓ Panel wipe-down to remove polish residue
  • ✓ Finishing wax or paint sealant applied
  • ✓ Suited to lightly swirled or recently detailed vehicles
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Most Popular

Two Stage

  • ✓ Full exterior wash, clay bar, and chemical decontamination
  • ✓ Paint depth measurement across all panels
  • ✓ Heavy cut polish to remove deeper scratches and swirl marks
  • ✓ Finishing polish stage to refine and restore gloss
  • ✓ Panel wipe-down and inspection under correction lighting
  • ✓ Final protection layer applied
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Multi-Stage

  • ✓ Full wash, iron decontamination, clay bar treatment
  • ✓ Paint depth gauge reading logged per panel
  • ✓ Wet sanding to address deep scratches, RIDS, and heavy oxidation where safe
  • ✓ Multiple correction passes tailored per panel condition
  • ✓ Refining and glazing stage to maximise gloss and clarity
  • ✓ Final wipe-down and full-panel inspection under detailing lights
  • ✓ Finishing sealant applied ready for ceramic coating if requested
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The Paint Correction Process

1

Wash and Full Decontamination

The car gets a full hand wash followed by iron fallout remover and a clay bar treatment to pull embedded contaminants from the paint surface. You cannot correct paint that still has bonded contamination sitting on it — this step makes sure the surface is genuinely clean before any machine touches it.

45 to 60 mins
2

Paint Depth Assessment

A paint depth gauge is used across every panel to measure how much clear coat is remaining. This tells us exactly how aggressive we can safely be without cutting through. Every car gets assessed individually — no guessing, no generic approach.

15 to 20 mins
3

Correction Pass

The right combination of machine, pad, and compound is selected for each panel based on its condition. On a two-stage correction, a heavy cut compound removes the bulk of scratches and swirl marks first. On a single stage, a one-step compound is used for milder defects. Multi-stage work may include wet sanding on specific panels before machine polishing begins.

2 to 6 hours depending on tier and vehicle size
4

Refining and Gloss Enhancement

After the correction pass, a finer polish is applied to remove any haze or marring left by the cut compound. This is the stage that brings out the depth and clarity in the paint. Each panel is inspected under a high-intensity correction light to confirm defects are removed before moving on.

1 to 2 hours
5

Protection Application and Final Inspection

Once correction is complete and panels are wiped clean with an IPA solution, a finishing wax, paint sealant, or ceramic coating base layer is applied to protect the work. The full car is then inspected in daylight before handover so you can see exactly what has been achieved.

30 to 45 mins
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What Our Clients Say

60 five-star reviews on Google

★★★★★

"Loved the mobile service and the attention to detail. Krish is amazing. Would highly recommend."

Adam Bokenfohr

★★★★★

"Great service, car is in awesome nick - it’s just like when I first bought it. Definitely recommend it!"

Mr Matiu Workman

★★★★★

"Pretty amazing service... friendly, fast and professional. Thanks!"

Joshua Joseph

★★★★★

"I had both the interior and exterior of my car detailed and I couldn’t be happier with the result. It genuinely looks brand new, finish is incredible. Highly recommend to anyone wanting their car clea"

Anna Donnelly

★★★★★

"Express Detailing Dunedin are hardworking guys who deliver exceptional results. Our car never looked that good and fresh. Worth every cent."

TheSilversurfer61

Paint Correction FAQ

The cost depends on the tier of correction needed, the size of the vehicle, and the condition of the paint. A single-stage correction on a small car costs less than a multi-stage on a large SUV with heavy defects. We assess your paint before quoting so you know exactly what the job involves and what it will cost. Get a free quote and we will give you a straight answer.
A single-stage correction on a standard car typically takes 4 to 6 hours. A two-stage job runs 6 to 8 hours. Multi-stage corrections, which may include wet sanding and multiple polish passes, can take a full day or longer depending on the vehicle's condition and size. We will give you a time estimate when we quote the job.
The correction itself is permanent in the sense that the defects are physically removed from the clear coat. How long your paint stays looking good after that depends on how it is maintained and whether a protective coating is applied on top. Without protection, swirl marks can return within months from normal washing. Paired with a ceramic coating, the corrected finish can last several years.
Avoid automatic car washes entirely. They are the main cause of swirl marks in the first place. Hand washing using the two-bucket method or a foam cannon, along with a quality paint sealant or ceramic coating top-up every six to twelve months, will keep the corrected finish in good shape. We can walk you through a maintenance routine when we hand the car back.
Paint correction removes existing defects from the clear coat. It does not prevent new swirl marks from forming if the car is washed incorrectly after the job. We stand behind the quality of our work and will address any area you are not satisfied with. If you add a ceramic coating at the same time, that comes with its own protection warranty.
A cut and polish at a cheap detailer typically means one stage, a generic compound, and a machine used at low speed with minimal attention to which product suits the paint. It can improve the look temporarily but often leaves haze or causes new damage from incorrect technique. Paint correction uses a measured, multi-step approach with the right product matched to your specific paint condition, checked under correction lighting, and verified before the job is complete.
No. Paint correction works within the clear coat layer. If a scratch has gone through the colour coat or down to bare metal, it needs touch-up paint or panel repair before correction can be done around it. During the assessment we will flag any scratches that are too deep for polishing and let you know your options.
We service Dunedin city and also travel to Mosgiel, Palmerston, Port Chalmers, and Portobello. If you are unsure whether you are in our service area, get in touch and we will confirm. Paint correction is typically carried out at your home or workplace, so all you need to do is have the car accessible.

Book Your Paint Correction in Dunedin Before the Damage Gets Deeper

Every month you wait, more clear coat is lost to swirl marks, UV, and Dunedin road grime. Get a free quote today and find out which tier your car actually needs.

Or call now: +64276696664