Understanding the Process
What Do “Stages” Actually Mean?
You'll often see correction work described as single-stage, two-stage or three-stage. This simply refers to how many polishing steps the paint needs, not a fixed package everyone gets.
Professional Inspection
Manek Signature
Every Car Needs a Different Approach
We inspect the paintwork under professional lighting before recommending the right correction stage for your vehicle.
Stage 1 Correction
One polishing pass to remove light swirl marks and haze, typically improving clarity by around 50-70%.
Stage 2 Correction
A cutting compound removes deeper swirls and light scratches, followed by a finishing polish, usually reaching 80-90% improvement.
Stage 3 Correction
The most thorough option for heavier scratching and oxidation, aiming for 95%+ correction.
Which one your car actually needs depends entirely on its current condition. This is something we can only confirm properly by inspecting it in person, not by guessing over the phone.
Inspection RequiredHow the Process Works
Every job starts with a wash and full decontamination, so nothing gets dragged across the surface during polishing. From there, the right stage is chosen based on the paint's actual condition, and the work is carried out under proper lighting to catch what's really there, not just what's visible under normal daylight. Once finished, the paint is left ready for protection, whether that's a coating, sealant, or wax.
Often Paired With Ceramic Coating
A lot of clients choose to follow this service with a Ceramic Coating, and there's a good reason for that: coating over paint that hasn't been corrected just seals in the swirl marks and scratches that were already there. Getting the prep right first is what makes the protection actually worth it afterwards.
Paint Correction
Correction work runs on Rupes and Flex machines, paired with Menzerna compounds and Mirka abrasives, so every pass is controlled and measurable rather than guesswork.
- 01 Rupes Machines
- 02 Flex Machines
- 03 Menzerna Compounds
- 04 Mirka Abrasives
PAINT CORRECTION + CERAMIC COATING
Every Paint Correction package includes a professional 3-Year Ceramic Coating.
| SERVICE | CARS / SMALL SUVs | LARGE CARS / BIG SUVs |
|---|---|---|
| 1-STEP CORRECTION + 3Y CERAMIC | FROM €600 | FROM €700 |
| 2-STEP CORRECTION + 3Y CERAMIC | FROM €850 | FROM €1,000 |
| FULL PAINT CORRECTION + 3Y CERAMIC | FROM €1,200 | FROM €1,400 |
1-STEP PAINT CORRECTION
Designed for paintwork with light-to-moderate swirl marks and imperfections.
- Safe wash
- Full chemical decontamination
- Tar & iron removal
- Clay treatment where required
- Paint inspection
- 1-step machine paint correction
- Enhanced gloss & paint clarity
- Panel preparation
- Professional 3-Year Ceramic Coating
2-STEP PAINT CORRECTION
For vehicles requiring a higher level of defect removal and paint refinement.
- Complete exterior preparation
- Chemical & mechanical decontamination
- Paint inspection
- Paint depth measurements where required
- Machine cutting stage
- Machine refining stage
- Reduction of heavier swirls, scratches & oxidation
- High-gloss finishing
- Panel preparation
- Professional 3-Year Ceramic Coating
FULL PAINT CORRECTION
Our highest level of paint correction for vehicles requiring extensive paint restoration and maximum safely achievable improvement.
- Complete exterior preparation
- Full chemical & mechanical decontamination
- Detailed paint inspection
- Paint depth measurements
- Multiple-stage machine correction as required
- Intensive defect removal
- Individual treatment of difficult areas
- Refining & finishing stages
- Maximum safely achievable gloss & paint clarity
- Final panel preparation
- Professional 3-Year Ceramic Coating
Full Paint Correction is subject to vehicle inspection. The achievable level of correction depends on paint condition, paint thickness and safe correction limits.
CERAMIC COATING UPGRADES
Upgrade the ceramic coating included with any Paint Correction package:
3-YEAR CERAMIC COATING
INCLUDED5-YEAR CERAMIC COATING
+ €1507-YEAR CERAMIC COATING
+ €250VEHICLE CATEGORIES
CARS / SMALL SUVs
Hatchbacks, saloons, estates, coupes and compact/medium SUVs.
LARGE CARS / BIG SUVs
Large luxury vehicles, large SUVs, 7-seaters and similar oversized vehicles.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All prices are FROM prices and include VAT.
Final price depends on vehicle size, condition and the amount of cleaning or paint correction required.
Vehicles with excessive contamination, pet hair, mould, severe staining or unusually damaged paintwork may require additional labour.
Any additional charges will always be agreed with the customer before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does paint correction cost in Ireland?
A light single-stage polish is significantly less expensive than a full multi-stage repair on badly marred paint, though this largely relies on the stage required and the size of the vehicle. We'll always confirm an exact price after inspecting the car in person, rather than quoting blind.
02 Is it worth getting paint correction done?
If your paint has visible swirl marks, light scratches, or looks duller than it should under direct light, yes, it makes a genuine difference to how the car looks and photographs, and it's a necessary step before ceramic coating if you want the protection to actually hold up well.
03 Can I do paint correction myself?
Yes, in theory, but it's simple to make mistakes. Using the wrong pad, compound, or too much pressure can remove more clear coat than intended, or leave the finish uneven. It's a skill that takes practice to get consistently right across an entire panel, never mind a full car.
04 How long will paint correction last?
The correction itself is permanent, once a swirl mark is polished out, it's gone. What fades over time is the paint's exposure to new damage, which is why most people follow this service with a wax, sealant or ceramic coating to protect the freshly corrected surface.
Book Your Paint Correction in Cavan Today
Get in touch and we'll take a look at your car's paintwork, explain honestly what it needs, and recommend the right stage for the result you're after.
Book An Appointment