Paint Correction Service in St. Louis
Fix That Mess on Your Paint for Good
Ever pull your car into the sun and think, “What the heck happened to my paint?” Yeah, we hear that all the time. A guy from Fenton came by last month with a black Silverado. Looked decent in the shade. But once that sunlight hit it? It looked like someone washed it with sandpaper. Swirl marks, spiderwebs, dull patches—he was mad at the dealership, but truth is, most cars—even brand new ones—get like that quick.
That’s where paint correction comes in.
It’s not just for car shows. It’s for folks all over St. Louis who care how their ride looks and want it done right.
What Is Paint Correction Service?
Paint correction means we fix the surface of your car’s paint. Not by painting over it. Not by covering it up with wax. We actually remove those swirl marks, scratches, water spots, and haze that make your car look older and beat up.
We use special tools and polishing compounds to clean up the clear coat, which is the top layer of your paint. You could say it’s like giving your car a skin treatment. We scrub off the bad stuff and leave a smooth, shiny finish.
This is not the same as a quick polish at a car wash. That just adds shine for a day or two. Paint correction removes the damage. It’s the real deal.
Who Needs Paint Correction?
If your paint looks bad in the sun, you probably do.
Swirl marks from automatic car washes
Water spots from hard tap water around St. Louis
Tree scratches from tight driveways in Webster Groves
Faded paint from sun and heat sitting in South County parking lots
Dealer-applied coatings that made things worse instead of better
We had a customer from Arnold bring in his silver BMW. It looked 20 years old. Turns out, he had been using one of those gas station scrub brushes. Left behind hundreds of little scratches. After the paint correction, the shine came back. It looked brand new again.
What’s Included in a Paint Correction Service?
We don’t just grab a buffer and go. Here’s how it works:
1. Wash & Decontaminate
We start with a foam bath and a full hand wash to clean everything. Then we use a clay bar to pull out any junk hiding in the paint, like tar, sap, or industrial fallout.
2. Inspect the Paint
We check the paint under bright shop lights from all angles. That helps us see swirl patterns, scuffs, and deep scratches—even the ones hiding under garage dust or poor lighting.
3. Machine Polish or Compound
We pick the right polish or compound based on how bad the paint looks. Then we go section by section with a machine polisher. This is where the damage disappears and the shine starts coming back.
4. Final Wipe Down
After correction, we clean the whole car with alcohol spray to remove any leftover oils from the polish.
5. Apply Paint Sealant
Keep your clear coat protected for the next 6 - 12 months.
5. Optional: Add Ceramic Coating
Most of our customers choose to add ceramic coating after paint correction. That locks in the shine and helps protect the paint from getting messed up again. If you are paying for paint correction, it is almost silly not to consider ceramic coating.
What Results Can You Expect?
It’s not magic. But it’s close.
Shinier, deeper color – The paint looks alive again.
Mirror-like reflection – You’ll see the clouds in your hood.
No more swirl marks – Those circular scratches are gone.
Better resale – Your car looks way newer and cleaner.
We had a family from Oakville bring us their minivan before selling it. It had scuffs from strollers, scratches from drive-thrus, and sun fade. We did a full correction and added ceramic. They sold it in two days. The buyer thought it was three years newer than it really was.
Common Myths About Paint Correction
"It’s just like waxing."
Nope. Wax sits on top of the damage. Paint correction removes it.
"Only show cars need it."
Not true. Everyday drivers get scratched up too—especially around here with salty winters, muddy spring roads, and hot summers.
"It costs too much."
Not when you compare it to repainting. Fixing the paint you already have is way cheaper than getting it resprayed.
Depends on the size of the vehicle and how bad the paint is.
Small cars: 4 to 6 hours
Trucks and SUVs: 6 to 10 hours
Heavy damage: Could take a full day or more
We had a customer from Ballwin with a black Dodge Challenger that needed two full days. Someone had tried to polish it before and made things worse. When we were done, it looked like a mirror. You could see the streetlights in the hood on Manchester Road.
How Long Does Paint Correction Take?
Why Paint Correction Matters in St. Louis
St. Louis weather is rough on paint. In the summer, we get hot sun and humidity. In the winter, salt and road grime. Spring and fall bring pollen, tree sap, and dust from all the construction zones in Jefferson County.
Even if you wash your car often, the damage builds up fast. Lots of folks from places like Sunset Hills and Kirkwood come in thinking their car’s just getting old. Really, it just needs a reset. That’s what paint correction does.
Should You Add Ceramic Coating After?
You don’t have to—but it helps a lot.
After paint correction, your paint is clean and perfect. There’s no more wax, no more sealant, nothing on top. So if you don’t protect it, it’ll start getting scratched up again quick.
A ceramic coating acts like a shell over the corrected paint. It keeps that gloss, blocks UV rays, and makes it way easier to wash. You don’t need to wax anymore either. Just rinse and go.
Think of paint correction as the deep clean. Ceramic coating is the protection that keeps it looking fresh.
Who Should Do Paint Correction?
Not everyone with a polisher knows what they’re doing. We’ve seen cars come from body shops or dealership "detailers" that got burned or left with holograms. One wrong move and the clear coat gets ruined.
At Arch City Detail, we do this every day. We are trained and fully insured. We know different car paints, we use the right lighting, and we go slow. No shortcuts. We treat your car like it’s our own.
We’re located in High Ridge, just a short drive from Fenton, Arnold, Eureka, and South County. And no—we don’t offer mobile paint correction. It has to be done inside, under shop lights, with clean air. That’s how we do it right.
St. Louis Events That Mess Up Paint
Here’s some real local stuff that brings people in for correction:
St Louis Thunderstorms – Leaves behind waterspots and etching.
Bird poop from Forest Park trees – That stuff burns paint.
Dust clouds on 141 – Especially bad during summer roadwork.
We even had someone come in after their car sat under a mulberry tree for three weeks. The sap was so stuck on, it took hours just to prep the surface.
Final Thoughts (Straight Talk, No Fancy Wrap-Up)
If your car looks cloudy, dull, or scratched up, paint correction can bring it back to life. It’s not about showing off. It’s about being proud of your ride again. We fix the stuff that makes your car look old and tired, and we make it shine again.
Whether you’re driving a beat-up sedan or a fresh new truck, if you care about how it looks, it’s worth fixing the paint. If you're in St. Louis—or close by—come by the shop. We’ll take a look and let you know what it needs.
Come See It for Yourself
Want to see what a real paint correction looks like? We’ve got before-and-after photos, stories from local customers, and live work going on in the shop every day.
You can call, text, or book online. We’ll need to see your car to give you a quote, so reach out today!
Ready To Book?
314-252-8950
info@archcitydetail.com