What is paint correction?
Paint correction is the machine removal of swirl marks, oxidation and defects from aircraft paint. On a light jet it runs 20–40 hours and $3,200–$7,500. It is the prerequisite for ceramic coating.
BY AIRCRAFT CLASS
Price and turn time, by airframe.
| CLASS | EXAMPLE | RANGE | TURN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piston | Cirrus SR22, Baron 58 | $1,450 – $3,400 | 9–18 hrs |
| Turboprop | King Air 350, TBM 960 | $2,250 – $5,250 | 14–28 hrs |
| Light Jet | Phenom 300, CJ4 | $3,200 – $7,500 | 20–40 hrs |
| Midsize | Learjet 75, Hawker 900XP | $4,300 – $10,150 | 27–54 hrs |
| Super-Mid | Challenger 350, Citation Longitude | $5,450 – $12,750 | 34–68 hrs |
| Heavy | Global 7500, Gulfstream G650 | $7,350 – $17,250 | 46–92 hrs |
| Helicopter | AW139, Bell 429 | $2,900 – $6,750 | 18–36 hrs |
| Airliner / VIP | BBJ, ACJ320 | $10,900 – $25,500 | 68–136 hrs |
Light condition — illustrative, subject to inspection
FULL SCOPE
- Paint depth gauged across every panel and logged
- Test section to establish the least aggressive effective process
- Multi-stage machine correction, compound through finish
- Panel-by-panel inspection under high-intensity light
- Sealed or coated on completion — never left bare
APPROVED MATERIALS
- Aviation-safe compounds and polishes
- Dual-action machines only on thin aviation paint
- Paint depth gauge, logged readings
QC CHECKPOINTS
- Depth readings before and after, recorded
- Inspection under three light sources at three angles
- No compound in seams or fasteners
WHAT THIS PROTECTS
Aviation paint is thin and finite. Correction is measured and logged so the record shows exactly how much film build remains for next time.
Questions owners actually ask
- Is machine polishing safe on aircraft paint?
- With depth gauging, dual-action machines and a documented test section, yes. Without those three things, no — which is why the readings go into the record.
- How many times can paint be corrected?
- It depends on remaining film build, which is exactly why we log depth every visit. The record tells you when you are approaching the limit.