Decontamination of the paint is a crucial step before the paint correction stage. The purpose of decontamination is to help release any contaminants embedded in the paint. The first step is to remove any tar or sap that did not come off during the wash stage. Next is to use an iron remover, which breaks down the iron contaminates that have been fastened to the paint from normal driving. Then comes the final step in decontamination; claying. Claying (clay baring) is the process of taking a form of clay and using it to pull out any contaminants that the previous stages could not remove; This will leave the paint visible, audible, and smooth. Clay baring much like correcting the paint is the last resort, meaning you only want to do so if absolutely necessary.

After the decontamination stage, we move to paint correction. This stage can help remove flaws from the clear coat of the vehicle. Imperfections such as swirl marks as well as medium to light scratches from everyday use. The first thing to remember is that not all scratches may be removed; this is dependent upon how deep the scratches are, as well as the depth/level of paint left on your vehicle. The primary purpose is to improve the finish, gloss, and reflection of your paint. There are several different stages of paint correction. One stage is only a polish of the paint with a pad and compound; this often only works well on cars with very light to minimal scratching. Two stage polishing is with a correction compound, a pad, a polishing pad, and a dedicated polish. Two-stage can often remove a large percentage of the scratching if the scratches are not too deep; this is often what most cars need. Three-stage include the first two steps as well as a final 3rd stage. This includes using an ultra-fine finishing polish and pad to get any minor defects that are left as well as enhance the gloss.

There are many forms of paint protection available. This step is recommended almost always and in my opinion, mandatory after correction. The most common forms of protection today are waxes, sealants, and ceramic coatings. Waxes last the shortest but are more comfortable to remove and can sometimes provide incredible levels of gloss. Sealants last longer than waxes and often offer better protection and resistance but can sometimes take more time to apply. Ceramic coatings, which are growing very popular in today's market, are the strongest and longest-lasting forms of paint protection available. They offer fantastic hydrophobic properties and are most resistant to chemicals and the elements; their downside is that they can be tough to remove.