Classics & Single-Stage Paint
Classic Car Paint Correction in Modesto, CA
Classic car paint correction brings back gloss on older paint, including single-stage finishes with no separate clear coat, while removing as little paint as possible. Skylab Ceramic Details corrects classics in Modesto, from a De Tomaso Pantera to classic Chevrolet trucks. Call (209) 871-7060 for a free quote.
- 4.9 from 80 Google reviews
- GYEON Certified
- Owner on every car
Starting price: from $700
Why people bring their cars to Skylab
- De Tomaso Pantera full correction on Skylab's YouTube
- Classic Chevy trucks and a Pontiac GTO
- Gauge readings before polishing original paint
- Ceramic coating to protect restored gloss
Schuyler (Skylar) Ricketts works on every car himself, in a studio built for paint: hexagon lighting, digital paint gauges and infrared curing.
Single-stage paint is different
Many older cars wear single-stage paint, where color and gloss are in one layer with no separate clear coat. When it is polished, color comes off on the pad, which is normal. It is often softer and tends to oxidize over time, turning chalky and flat. Correction removes the oxidized layer to bring back the color underneath.
Measure first, polish gently
Older paint may have been polished many times already, and there is no way to know how much is left without measuring. Skylar takes digital paint thickness gauge readings, starts with the least aggressive approach that works and stays careful on edges and body lines, where paint is thinnest. Sometimes leaving a small defect is the right call.
Want it done right the first time?
Send a photo or two and tell us about the car. Free quote, no pressure.
Protect it after
Once the gloss is back, single-stage paint is prone to oxidize again without protection. A ceramic coating adds a protective layer and makes washing easier. Skylab installs GYEON Infinite from $1,000 and Revolution nano graphene from $1,800. For classics headed to a show, the Gold and Platinum signature packages go further.
Questions
Can you polish single-stage paint?
Yes. It is polished with a gentler approach than modern clear coat, and you will see paint color on the pad, which is normal. Skylar measures the paint first and works only as far as the finish allows.
How do I know if my classic has single-stage paint?
A common test is to rub a hidden spot with a white cloth and a little polish. If color comes off on the cloth, it is likely single-stage. Skylar checks during the inspection, so you do not have to test it yourself.
Can you ceramic coat a classic car?
Yes. A coating can go on single-stage or clear coat finishes once the paint is corrected and clean. It adds gloss, makes water bead and adds a layer of protection over older paint that tends to dull over time.
How much does classic car paint correction cost?
At Skylab, single-step correction starts at $700, two-step at $1,450 and multi-step at $3,500. Classics vary a lot in paint condition and thickness, so each gets a free quote after inspection. Call (209) 871-7060.
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See Why People Drive to Skylab
Call, text or send the form. Schuyler answers personally and limits how many cars he takes each month.