Paint Correction, Wax & Ceramic Coatings
Whether you're looking to restore tired paintwork, prepare a special vehicle for an event, or protect your daily driver for the longer term, Centenary Car Detailing offers a range of paint correction and protection services tailored to your vehicle.
Every vehicle is different. Paint age, condition, previous repairs, storage and how the vehicle is used can all affect what can safely and realistically be achieved. For this reason, paint correction and ceramic coating services are assessed individually before work begins.
Paint Correction
Pricing Below
Paint correction is the process of carefully machine polishing a vehicle's paintwork to improve its appearance and reduce visible defects.
Over time, washing, environmental exposure and everyday use can leave paintwork with swirl marks, fine scratches, oxidation, water spotting and a generally dull or hazy appearance. Rather than simply covering these defects, paint correction removes a very small amount of the upper paint or clear-coat surface to create a smoother, clearer finish.
The result can be noticeably greater gloss, colour depth, clarity and reflection.
What's Included?
Depending on the vehicle and level of correction selected, the process may include:
Thorough exterior wash and preparation
Chemical and physical paint decontamination where required
Inspection and assessment of paint condition
1–3 stage machine polishing
Reduction of swirl marks, fine scratches and other correctable defects
Improvement to paint gloss and clarity
Final finishing and paint protection
Complimentary Paint Care Kit with applicable correction services
How Many Stages Does My Car Need?
Not every vehicle needs an intensive multi-stage correction.
A single-stage correction is generally suited to paintwork requiring an overall improvement in gloss and the reduction of lighter defects.
A two-stage correction allows for greater defect removal by using an initial cutting stage followed by a finer finishing polish to restore clarity and gloss.
A three-stage correction may be recommended for more heavily affected paintwork or enthusiast vehicles where a higher level of finish is being pursued.
The appropriate process will be discussed after inspecting the vehicle rather than automatically recommending the most expensive option.
What Can Paint Correction Fix?
Paint correction can significantly improve many common paint defects, including:
Swirl marks
Light scratches
Wash-induced marring
Light oxidation
Haze and reduced gloss
Some water spotting
Minor imperfections in the clear coat
However, polishing cannot repair everything. Deep scratches that have penetrated the clear coat, stone chips, peeling or failed clear coat, severe sun damage and other permanent paint damage may require professional paint or body repair.
The goal is always to achieve the best reasonable improvement without unnecessarily compromising the remaining paint or clear coat.
Pricing:
All machine polishing and paint correction is charged at $120 per hour, plus a one-off $79 preparation fee per vehicle. This covers the specialist products, consumables and equipment preparation required for polishing.
Pricing will vary depending on the size and condition of the vehicle, the paintwork and the level of correction required.
As a guide, one-stage polishing of a complete small vehicle starts from approximately $399.
Deeper scratches and paint defects may not be safely removable. An assessment can be provided before work begins to determine the expected level of improvement.
Wax Protection
From $175
Not every vehicle needs a ceramic coating.
Traditional automotive wax remains an excellent option for owners who prioritise appearance, depth and gloss, particularly on classic, collectible, weekend and enthusiast vehicles.
A quality wax enhances the finish of the paint while leaving behind a sacrificial protective layer. It can produce the rich, warm appearance traditionally associated with a carefully prepared show or classic car.
Wax Protection Includes
Thorough exterior hand wash
Paint preparation
Paint decontamination where required
Application of quality automotive wax
Hand finishing
Final inspection
Who Is Wax Best For?
Wax is particularly worth considering for:
Classic and collectible vehicles
Show and club cars
Weekend vehicles
Garage-kept vehicles
Owners seeking maximum visual enhancement
Vehicles that don't require long-term ceramic protection
Wax doesn't offer the same longevity as a ceramic coating and will gradually wear away through washing and environmental exposure. This isn't necessarily a disadvantage. For enthusiast vehicles, being able to periodically reapply and refresh the finish can make traditional wax a very suitable choice.
Ceramic Coating
Price by quote
Ceramic coating is designed for customers seeking longer-lasting paint protection and easier ongoing maintenance.
Once properly applied and cured, the coating forms a durable protective layer over the vehicle's prepared paintwork. It helps contaminants release more easily during washing while enhancing gloss and providing hydrophobic water behaviour.
Depending on the product selected, a ceramic coating can also provide additional resistance against environmental contamination, chemicals and UV exposure.
Why Choose Ceramic?
Ceramic coating may be particularly worthwhile for:
Daily-driven vehicles
New or near-new vehicles
Cars regularly exposed to the elements
Owners wanting easier ongoing washing
Vehicles being professionally corrected
Owners looking for longer-term protection than traditional wax
Preparation Matters
Ceramic coating does not repair scratches or poor paintwork.
Because the coating effectively preserves the finish underneath it, proper preparation is particularly important. Applying a coating over contaminated, swirled or poorly prepared paint can leave those imperfections visible underneath the finished coating.
Every vehicle will therefore be properly prepared before application. Paint correction may be recommended where the condition of the vehicle warrants it.
The required preparation, coating product and expected result will be discussed before a quote is provided.
Wax or Ceramic — Which Should I Choose?
There isn't one correct option for every vehicle.
Choose wax if you're primarily interested in achieving a rich, traditional finish and don't mind periodically renewing the protection. This can be particularly appropriate for classic, collectible and occasionally driven vehicles.
Choose ceramic coating if longevity, environmental protection and easier maintenance are greater priorities. It's generally better suited to frequently driven vehicles and owners who want protection that lasts considerably longer than conventional wax.
For some vehicles, particularly classics, the most expensive or longest-lasting option isn't necessarily the most appropriate one. We're happy to recommend a solution based on the vehicle rather than simply recommending ceramic coating by default.
Aftercare & Maintenance
The way a vehicle is washed after correction or protection has a significant influence on how well the finish is maintained.
Incorrect washing can introduce new swirl marks and prematurely reduce the performance of waxes, sealants and coatings. Aftercare advice will therefore be provided so you know how to look after the vehicle following the service.
Regular Maintenance Detailing is also available for customers who would prefer us to continue looking after their vehicle. Scheduled weekly, fortnightly and monthly customers receive discounted maintenance pricing.
For ceramic-coated vehicles, regular maintenance can also help keep the coating clean and performing as intended.
Request an Assessment
Unsure whether your vehicle needs paint correction, wax or ceramic coating?
Get in touch with details of your vehicle and what you're hoping to achieve. Photos can provide an initial indication, although some paint defects may need to be inspected in person before an appropriate process and quote can be recommended.
Paint Correction — From $79 + $120/Hour
Wax Protection — From $175
Ceramic Coating — Price by quote