Polishing and paint correction
Sun, calima dust and brush washes dull the paint over time. Good polishing can bring back much of the shine without repainting.
Why polish your paint
Bring back the shine
We remove the damaged surface layer of clear coat to reveal a clean, glossy finish again.
Suited to the southern climate
Strong sun, airborne dust and salty air are hard on paint. Polishing and protecting helps preserve it.
Try polishing before painting
Many marks that look serious only affect the clear coat and can be corrected by polishing, without repainting.
What's included
Polishing isn't just running a machine over the car. It's a staged job that depends on the state of your paint.
Wash and decontamination
We wash thoroughly and remove bonded contaminants such as tree sap, limescale and embedded dust.
Inspection under light
We inspect the paint under light to see which defects are there and how deep they go.
Staged polishing
We first correct the heavier defects, then refine the finish for a deep gloss.
Final protection
We apply a protective layer so the shine lasts longer and the paint stays cleaner.
Polishing corrects defects in the clear coat, but it can't fix scratches that reach the colour or the metal, or clear coat that's already peeling. Those need paint, and we'll tell you so.
What polishing can and can't fix
Your car's paint has several layers. The top one is the clear coat, a transparent layer that gives gloss and protects the colour. Most everyday defects, such as swirl marks from washing, fine scratches and water spots, sit in that layer. Polishing removes a very thin part of the clear coat in a controlled way to level the surface.
- Can be corrected: swirl marks, fine scratches, water spots and loss of gloss.
- Can often be improved: light scratches and paint transfer from another car after a scrape.
- Can't be corrected: scratches that reach the colour or the metal.
- Can't be corrected: clear coat that is cracked or peeling from sun damage.
A simple test: if you run your fingernail across the scratch and it catches, it's probably too deep to remove by polishing alone. In that case we'll talk to you about a partial respray.
Polishing in southern Tenerife
Paint works harder here. Strong sun breaks down the clear coat, calima leaves a fine dust that scratches if you wipe it dry, and salt settles on the bodywork near the coast. If the car is also washed with brushes or too little water, marks build up quickly. Polishing followed by protection helps the paint cope better with these conditions.
Our advice: rinse the car with plenty of water before rubbing anything, especially after a calima episode, and don't let water spots dry in the sun.
When it makes sense
It's a good time to polish when you're selling the car, returning a leased vehicle or simply noticing the paint has lost its shine. We also do it as a finishing touch after body and paint repairs, so the repaired panel and those around it have the same gloss. And on hire or fleet cars that see a lot of sun and car washes, a periodic polish keeps them looking cared for.
If the paint is more damaged than polishing can fix, we'll explain before we start, with no surprises. And remember that our paintwork comes with a lifetime paint warranty. Ask for an estimate and we'll take a look, or use our collection and delivery service if you can't get here.
Frequently asked questions
Does polishing wear the paint down?
It removes a very thin layer of clear coat, so heavy polishing shouldn't be done too often. We only do what's needed to correct the defects.
How long does the effect last?
It depends on use, washing and how much sun the car gets. The final protection helps keep the shine for longer.
Can you remove a key scratch?
If it only affects the clear coat, it can be improved a lot. Key scratches are usually deep and reach the colour, in which case it needs painting.
Do you polish headlights too?
Yellowed plastic headlights need a different treatment. We explain it under headlight restoration.
We work with your insurance company
If your car has suffered an incident covered by your insurance, you don't have to be the go-between: we coordinate with your insurer and its loss adjuster so the repair is authorised and done properly.
It's one of the reasons many customers come to us: less paperwork, fewer phone calls and the car back the way it should be.
How we handle it- You choose the garageAs a rule you can take your car to the garage you prefer; we help you check what your policy says.
- We deal with the loss adjusterWe prepare the damage assessment and go through it with your insurer's loss adjuster.
- We collect and deliverIf it suits you better, we pick the car up and bring it back repaired.
- We keep you postedYou always know what stage the repair is at.
Other bodywork and paint services
Panel repair
We straighten, repair or replace damaged body panels and get them ready for paint.
See serviceDents and dings
Car park dings, door knocks and minor dents: we remove them, often without the need to repaint.
See serviceAccident repair
From the claim to handover: we repair bodywork, structure and paint after an accident and work with your insurer.
See serviceChassis jig and structural repair
We check and correct your car's structure on a chassis jig after heavy impacts, bringing it back to factory measurements.
See serviceFull respray
We paint the whole car, in its original colour or a new one, with thorough preparation and a lifetime paint warranty.
See servicePartial respray
We paint only the damaged panel or area and match the colour so there's no visible difference with the rest.
See serviceWhat people often believe, and what actually happens
Six ideas we often hear at the garage that are worth clearing up.
“A car that's been in an accident is never right again.”
If the structure is brought back to its measurements on a jig and joints, sealing and protection are reproduced as at the factory, the repair is sound and safe.
“My insurer decides where my car is repaired.”
As a rule you can choose the garage. Some policies offer perks at their partner garages: we help you read yours before you decide.
“A small dent can wait.”
A scrape that lifts the paint leaves bare metal exposed. With the sun and salty air in the south of the island, corrosion sets in sooner than you think.
“Eco-friendly paint is lower quality.”
A paint with fewer solvents can give an equally durable finish. What makes the difference is the preparation and the application.
“A used car that looks good has never been in a crash.”
A well-polished respray can go unnoticed at first glance. A paint thickness gauge and a check of panel gaps, sealing and welds give it away.
“It doesn't matter where it's painted: paint is paint.”
What you can't see —surface preparation, anti-corrosion protection and painting in a booth— is what decides how long the repair lasts.
Shall we prepare an estimate?
Tell us what your car needs and we'll reply with a written estimate, with no obligation.
Do the online check-in: your details, the vehicle and photos of the damage, from your phone before you come.
Check your car in online- Written estimateBefore we start you know what will be done and what it costs.
- No obligationWe give you the estimate; you decide.
- Collection & deliveryIf it suits you, we come and pick up the car.
Request an estimate
Tell us what's wrong with the car. For bodywork or paint, photos via WhatsApp help a lot.
Rather talk? Call us on 922 73 64 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 674 06 13 71.