Which levels of dent damage can you repair?

We work with all levels of dent damage repair, from a door ding to minor fender bender damage to significant dent damage. There’s no job too big or small for our dent removal team.

Can you repair dents in leased cars?

Yes, you can have the dents in your lease car repaired. If you return your vehicle at the lease’s end and there’s a dent within its body, there is a high likelihood that you’ll incur a fee for the vehicle being dented. Mostly, this could be an expensive fee and could cost more than just having the vehicle repaired. Fortunately, you can get affordable repairs on leased vehicles that help you prevent any unexpected fees.

What should I do immediately after a collision?

Once you are safe, it’s important to contact your local authorities after a collision. Make sure to also take pictures at the scene, including any damage to your vehicle as well as any other vehicles that were involved. Sometimes damage has occurred that you cannot see – therefore, take pictures regardless of whether or not you notice any dents or damage. Then, move your vehicle to one of our facilities in either Tempe, Phoenix, or Scottsdale for your in-person inspection.

Can I choose my dent damage repair shop?

Yes. You have the right to choose any collision repair facility. At Scottsdale Collision Center, we work directly with all insurance companies—but we work for you, not them. It is our duty to advocate and guide our customers through the process and ensure that the insurance companies are doing right by them.

Will my insurance company cover the entire dent damage repair cost?

The amount your insurance covers for the repair will depend on your specific policy.

Can I receive an estimate for your dent damage repair service?

Yes. Our team is more than happy to provide you with a general estimate for our repair services (including a paintless dent damage repair cost) after we have conducted a detailed evaluation of your vehicle.

What’s the difference between traditional dent repair and paintless dent repair?

Paintless dent damage repair tools are used to fix dents from behind the vehicle’s panel, allowing for a non-invasive process that maintains the original paint. Traditional dent repair, on the other hand, often involves sanding, body fillers, and repainting.

How do you handle hail damage repairs for cars?

Hail damage repair typically involves assessing the extent of the dents caused by hail. For minor, paint-free dents, paintless dent removal is effective. However, extensive hail damage might require more comprehensive auto repair techniques including car dent removal and repainting if the vehicle’s surface is severely compromised. Repairing dents caused by hail requires precise techniques to restore the car to its original condition.

How long does frame repair take?

Frame repair can take a few days to over a week, depending on the damage. The time it takes will depend on how much damage your car’s frame has sustained.

What’s the difference between frame repair and frame replacement?

Frame repair at body shops focuses on fixing the car’s current frame, while frame replacement means taking out the old frame completely or in parts and putting in a new one.

Can I drive my car if the frame is damaged?

No, driving a car with a damaged frame is unsafe for you and others on the road. If you think your car’s frame may be damaged, take it to a repair shop right away.

Will frame repair be covered by insurance?

If the frame damage results from an accident, it may be covered by your insurance policy. It’s a good idea to reach out to your insurance company to confirm your coverage.

Will frame repair affect my car’s resale value?

If your car frame is repaired properly by professionals, it shouldn’t significantly affect your car’s resale value.

Which types of car damage do you repair?

From small dents and scratches to major collisions and frame damage, we’ve got you covered.

How long will auto body repairs take?

Repair time depends on the extent of damage, insurance approval, and parts availability. After inspection, we provide a clear timeline.

What steps should I take immediately after a car collision?

Call local authorities and take photos of the scene and vehicles. When safe, bring your car to our Scottsdale, Tempe, or Phoenix location for inspection.

Can I choose my own collision repair shop?

Yes. You have the right to choose your auto body repair shop. We work with all insurers and handle the process for you.

Will insurance cover all repair costs?

Your insurance coverage depends on your policy, deductible, and the type of damage. We review your claim and explain what’s covered.

Paint Correction in Arizona: What It Fixes & What It Can't

Quick answer: Paint correction is machine polishing that removes a very thin layer of clear coat to level out swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation and light water-spot etching. It cannot fix scratches that cut through the clear coat, rock chips, dents or peeling paint. It is worth doing before PPF or ceramic coating, or when swirls and haze dull your finish. Ask any shop how they measure paint thickness and what is included in the quote.
If your paint looks hazy in the sun, or shows circular scratches that glow under a flashlight, you are probably seeing swirl marks and surface damage in the clear coat. Arizona’s sun, dust and hard water make them common. Paint correction is how they are removed. Here is how it works, what it cannot do, and when it makes sense.

What is paint correction?

Paint correction is the process of machine polishing a vehicle’s clear coat to remove surface defects. A technician uses compounds and polishes on a rotary or dual-action machine to level the clear coat slightly, so scratches and marks that sit in its surface disappear instead of being filled or hidden.
This is different from a wax or glaze, which can mask defects temporarily. Correction removes them.

What can paint correction fix?

Swirl marks. The fine circular scratches caused by improper washing and drying, or by automatic brush washes.
Light scratches. Marks that sit in the clear coat, such as those from fingernails around door handles or light contact.
Oxidation and haze. Dull, chalky or faded clear coat from sun exposure.
Light water-spot etching. Marks left when hard water dries on a hot panel.
Holograms. Hazy trails left by previous poor polishing.

Results depend on how deep the damage goes and how much clear coat the paint has to spare.

What can’t paint correction fix?

Deep scratches. If a scratch cuts through the clear coat, polishing cannot remove it. A rough test is whether a fingernail catches in it, but a technician should confirm.
Rock chips. These are missing paint, not surface marks.
Dents. Polishing does not change panel shape. See dent repair options.
Peeling or failing clear coat. This needs refinishing.
Rust. This needs repair before any paint work.

Those problems are paint repair, not paint correction. Because SCC Aesthetics is part of the Scottsdale Collision Center family, such refinishing and paint repair can be handled under one roof.

Paint correction vs. polishing vs. detailing

Service	What it does	Typical goal
Detailing	Deep cleans interior and exterior, may add wax or sealant	Clean, refreshed vehicle
Polishing (one-step)	Light machine polish to boost gloss and soften minor swirls	Better shine, modest improvement
Paint correction (multi-step)	Compound and polish stages to remove more defects	Maximum defect removal before protection
Protection (PPF or ceramic coating)	Adds a barrier or coating on top of finished paint	Keep the corrected finish looking good

Shops use different names for these services, so ask what steps and how many stages are included in the quote.

Why Arizona makes paint correction more common

Intense UV. Sun exposure year-round oxidizes clear coat and dulls the finish.
Hard water. Sprinklers and washing leave mineral spots that can etch if they bake on hot panels.
Dust and monsoon storms. Wiping or washing dusty paint with the wrong technique causes swirl marks.
Dark vehicles. Black, dark blue and dark gray paint shows swirls more than lighter colors.

For general prevention, read our guide to protecting your car’s paint during an Arizona summer.

Do you need paint correction before PPF or ceramic coating?

Usually, yes. PPF and ceramic coating lock in the paint underneath them, so any swirls or haze stay visible, and a glossy coating can make them stand out more. Correcting first gives the protection a clean surface to bond to.
We cover how the two compare in our PPF vs. ceramic coating guide.

How a quality paint correction works

Inspect. The technician examines the paint under bright, angled light and notes defects.
Wash and decontaminate. The vehicle is washed and treated to remove bonded contaminants.
Measure. A paint depth gauge checks how much clear coat is available to work with.
Test spot. A small area is polished first to choose the right pad and compound.
Correct. Compound and polish stages remove defects panel by panel.
Inspect and protect. The finish is wiped down and checked, then protected with a sealant, ceramic coating or PPF.

Because correction removes a thin layer of clear coat, measuring first protects your paint.

What to ask before you book

Do you measure paint thickness before and during correction?
How many stages are included, and what results should I expect?
Which defects will not be removed on my vehicle?
What protection is applied afterward, and what is the warranty in writing?
How should I wash the car after correction?

How to keep corrected paint looking good

Hand wash with clean microfiber, and avoid automatic brush washes.
Rinse off dust before wiping, instead of dragging it across the paint.
Dry with a clean microfiber towel, and avoid letting water dry in the sun.
Add protection, such as ceramic coating or PPF, to help preserve the finish.

Frequently asked questions

What is paint correction? Paint correction is machine polishing that removes a very thin layer of clear coat to level out swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation and light etching. It removes defects instead of covering them.
Is paint correction worth it? It can be, especially before PPF or ceramic coating, on dark vehicles that show swirls, or when haze and oxidation dull the finish. If the damage goes through the clear coat, paint repair is the better fix.
Can paint correction remove scratches? It can remove light scratches that sit in the clear coat. Scratches that cut through the clear coat cannot be polished out and need paint repair.
Does paint correction remove clear coat? Yes, a very thin layer. That is why a good shop measures paint thickness first and stops when the paint has no more to give.
How long does paint correction last? The corrected surface stays as long as it is protected from new damage. Swirls can return with improper washing, so careful care and a protective layer matter.
Do I need paint correction before ceramic coating or PPF? Usually it is recommended, because coatings and films seal in whatever is on the paint underneath.
Is paint correction the same as detailing? No. Detailing cleans and refreshes a vehicle. Paint correction is a machine-polishing process that removes paint defects. Many shops offer both.

Get a free quote at SCC Aesthetics

SCC Aesthetics is Scottsdale Collision Center’s vehicle appearance and protection service, serving drivers across Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Valley. We offer paint correction, ceramic coating, paint protection film, window tint, car and fleet wraps, and detailing.
Tell us your year, make and model, and what you are seeing in the paint, and we will recommend the right next step.
Get your free quote or call (602) 777-7921.
SCC Aesthetics · 1321 E Weber Dr, Tempe, AZ 85288 · Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

Paint Correction in Arizona