Get the gloss
back on your paint.
Dull, hazy paint usually isn't worn out. It's covered in fine swirls. Our Restore Detail machine-polishes them out and brings back the depth your car had when it was new, about 15 minutes from Crystal Lake in McHenry.
Paint still looks dull after a wash? Start here.
Paint correction improves your clear coat. It won’t fix scratches that go through the paint, and we’ll tell you that up front. About 15 minutes from Crystal Lake.
Book a Restore Detail
Paint correction is included in our Restore Detail package.
We inspect, then polish
We check your paint, decontaminate it, and machine polish in careful stages.
You see the difference
Fewer swirls, more gloss, and paint that looks sharp again.
The honest version: what polishing fixes and what it doesn't.
Why paint goes dull
Years of washing, automatic car washes and wiping off dust leave thousands of fine swirls in your clear coat. On dark paint you see them every time the sun hits the car.
Machine polishing takes off a thin layer of damaged clear coat and brings back the gloss underneath. At Unicorn Details, paint correction is part of our Restore Detail, done in our McHenry shop, about 15 minutes up Route 31 from Crystal Lake.
- Removes or greatly reduces swirls, haze, light scratches and dullness
- Brings back depth and clarity, especially on black and dark colors
- Won't fix rock chips or scratches deep enough to catch a fingernail. We'll point those out first
- Finish with a 6-month sealant or a 1, 3 or 5-year ceramic coating so the swirls don't come right back
Do most cars actually need paint correction?
The most expensive service isn't always the right one. Here's an honest look at when machine polishing is worth it, and when your paint doesn't need it.
Commutes, car washes and salt are hard on paint.
A lot of Crystal Lake cars put in daily miles on Route 14 and Route 31, sit in the Metra lot all day, and go through the automatic wash all winter to get the salt off. Those brushes and gritty towels are what leave fine swirls in your clear coat, and dark paint shows every one of them.
Polishing levels those swirls out and brings the gloss back. Then a 6-month sealant or a 1, 3 or 5-year ceramic coating lets dirt rinse off with a gentle hand wash, so you aren't back in the brushes every week putting the swirls right back.
Paint correction, priced up front.
Paint correction is included in our Restore Detail. Add a 6-month sealant or a ceramic coating to protect the finish afterward.
Machine polish to remove swirls and haze and bring back gloss.
- Full wash and decontamination
- Machine polish, paint correction
- Protection options after polishing
Everything in the exterior Restore plus a full interior detail.
- Exterior paint correction
- Full interior detail
- Protection options after polishing
Certifications don't detail your car. People do.
One of only two IDA-Certified detailers in McHenry County
Detailer Skills Verified through documented training, testing, and a portfolio of proven work — not a sticker we bought online.
600+ coatings applied since 2015
A decade of learning exactly what works on every paint, plastic, and finish that comes through the door — not a first-year learning curve on your car.
Family-run, one shop, no franchise
Your car is coated at our McHenry garage, by our team — never subcontracted out or handed to a franchise crew.
Every coating reported to CARFAX
Documentation that protects your resale value, not just your paint — proof the work was actually done.
From "what does my car need" to done.
Tell us about your vehicle
Call, text, or book online. Tell us what's bothering you about the paint.
We look at the paint with you
We check it in the light, show you what polishing will fix, and point out anything it won't.
Drop it off in McHenry
All work happens in our shop, about 15 minutes from Crystal Lake.
Drive out with the gloss back
Protected with a sealant or coating, and charged up if you drive an EV.
What McHenry County drivers say.
"Recently he did a paint correction and ceramic coated my Audi and it turned out great. He will give you honest estimates and not try to upsell you."
"Inside, exterior ceramic application, engine clean, wheels & windows... Joe was in constant contact by text & email. Professional — I will be back & highly recommend."
"His detailing skills are top notch and he's a super nice guy... I would use them again and recommend them to anyone looking for a great detail."
Crystal Lake paint correction questions, answered straight.
How do I know if my car needs paint correction?
Look at the paint in direct sun or under a flashlight. If you see spiderweb swirls around the light, correction will make a visible difference. We'll look at it with you before quoting.
Will the automatic car wash just put the swirls back?
Over time, yes. Brushes and dirty towels cause most swirls. After polishing, a sealant or ceramic coating lets dirt rinse off with a gentle hand wash, and we'll show you how to wash the car so the gloss lasts.
Is paint correction safe for my clear coat?
When it's done right, yes. We remove only as much as needed to clear the defects, and we tell you up front if an area is too thin to push further.
Can I get paint correction by itself?
Paint correction isn't sold as a stand-alone service. It's included in our Restore Detail: exterior-only is $550 for sedans and $650 for trucks and SUVs, and a full interior and exterior Restore Detail is $689 to $799, by vehicle. See our main paint correction page for what it fixes.
Do I need a ceramic coating after?
No. A sealant protects the finish for about 6 months. A ceramic coating protects it for years. Both keep the swirls from coming right back.
How far is your shop from Crystal Lake?
About 15 minutes. We're at 3980 W Albany St in McHenry, just off Route 31.
How long will my detail take?
Most details are done the same day, except ceramic coatings. Most details take 3 to 5 hours, and you’ll be notified once we’re done.
Do you offer pick-up and delivery?
Yes. With our valet service, we come to your home or office, leave our own car parked there (it’s not a loaner), and drive your car to our shop. We’re fully insured. Once your detail is done, we bring your car back and pick ours up, so you never have to leave your home or office. You get the convenience of a mobile detailer with the quality of a full shop detail.
Not Sure Which Coating Is Right For You?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and we'll match you with the exact package your car needs.
Ready to see your paint
shine again?
Serving Crystal Lake from our McHenry shop at 3980 W Albany St, about 15 minutes away.