The Recon Pros

The Recon Pros Recon Pros 🛡️: Mel Craig's elite shop (formerly The Detailing Pros) & online training academy.

Learn from the 40-yr legend 🏆 seen on Motor Trend's "Wheeler Dealers." 📺 Elite services in Huntington Beach 📍 & world-class courses online. 🎓 The Detailing Pros provides high end paint correction and reconditioning services as well as our famous paint coating and paint protection systems. We also offer windshield repair, headlight restoration, plastic trim restoration, interior care and many other car care services. We serve everyone from the car clubs, do it yourself weekend warriors to the high end show car owners. We have services that fit just about any budget and treat all our customers with the respect you would expect from a high end professional company like The Detailing Pros. We have been involved in the art of auto detailing and paint correction since 1982. We specialize in high end paint correction, paint defect removal and paint protection systems. Our new technology includes the very best in car care and we are here to help you in anyway we can. Be sure to give us a call or check out our services at: www.thedetailingpros.com

Mel Craig
Paint Correction Specialist since 1982

Now THIS is paint correction.This vintage International is undergoing a full restoration. Its owner paid a fair price fo...
09/23/2026

Now THIS is paint correction.
This vintage International is undergoing a full restoration. Its owner paid a fair price for a professional paint job, but the finish fell short: clear coat runs, solvent pops, fisheyes, dirt in the paint, and heavy sanding marks, and an awful marred finished where the body shop had stopped at 1,500 grit.
I took on the project knowing the risk and responsibility involved. Fortunately, the foundation was strong: quality PPG paint with enough clear coat to work with. I started from scratch, working through 1,000, 1,500, 3,000, and 5,000 grit with dry and wet sanding to address the defects and prepare the finish for correction.

Then came a five-stage rotary correction. Using a RUPES rotary, I cut first with heavy cutting wool, then heavy cutting foam and using Menzerna heavy cut compound because of its ability to help control heat dispersant and carefully managing heat throughout. Three more polishing stages brought out the depth, clarity, and finish this customer deserved.

This was demanding work. The deeper defects and sanding marks called for the control, cutting ability, and experience that a rotary machine brings to a job like this.

There is no one that can do this type of paint correction with an orbital machine. This is what mastering the Rotary is all about. I started and FINISHED using the rotary... The clear coat was extremely hard...

The best moment? Watching the owner and his wife see the finished truck. He went home and left us an incredible, unsolicited Google review. That reaction is why I love the art of paint correction. I put up a screen shot of the google review...

Jet Black Paint Doesn't Forgive ShortcutsIf you drive a jet black, dark blue, or deep red vehicle, you already know the ...
09/22/2026

Jet Black Paint Doesn't Forgive Shortcuts

If you drive a jet black, dark blue, or deep red vehicle, you already know the pain: dark paint shows every single wash swirl, hologram, and water spot under the sunlight. ☀️🖤

Dark clear coats don't forgive cheap polishes, dirty pads, or hasty work.

At The Recon Pros, dark paint is where our 50 years of surface restoration experience shines brightest. We don't hide blemishes under silicone waxes or glazes that wash away after two rain cycles.

Our Huntington Beach paint correction process for dark paint:

Digital Depth Inspection: We measure clear coat thickness across every panel with a digital gauge to ensure safe working depth.

Multi-Stage Machine Correction: We use calibrated compounding and multi-stage polishing to mechanically level the clear coat, permanently removing swirls, bird-etching, and buffer trails.

SunGun & LED Inspection: We inspect our work indoors under multi-angle LED swirl boards—the only way to verify 100% defect removal before delivery.

When a dark panel is properly corrected, it doesn't just look clean—it looks like deep, liquid obsidian.

📍 Ready to eliminate the swirls on your dark paint for good?

Bring your vehicle to The Recon Pros studio in Huntington Beach for a paint depth inspection and custom quote today!
https://www.thereconpros.com/paint-correction-huntington-beach

Why Ceramic Coating Is the Wrong Choice for Your TeslaSearching for "Tesla ceramic coating" in Orange County? Here is th...
09/15/2026

Why Ceramic Coating Is the Wrong Choice for Your Tesla

Searching for "Tesla ceramic coating" in Orange County? Here is the honest truth most detailers won't tell you: traditional ceramic coating is usually the wrong choice for a Tesla. ⚡🚘

Factory Tesla clear coat is thinner and softer than almost any other modern car—typically measuring just 4 to 5 mils. Standard ceramic coating is a glass-hard SiO₂ layer. Because it cures rigid, it can't self-repair. Every single wash swirl you introduce stays there, and if you coat over uncorrected paint, those swirls are locked in forever.

At The Recon Pros, we use a Tesla-specific protocol engineered for soft paint:

Panel-by-Panel Depth Gauging: We measure and log paint thickness on every single panel before a polisher ever touches your vehicle.

Calibrated Soft-Clear Correction: We polish out factory defect marring using specialized compounds—never over-polishing delicate clear coat.

Revivify Self-Healing Protection: We install Revivify’s urethane-based self-healing coating. Unlike rigid ceramics, its flexible chemistry uses the heat of the California sun to heal light wash scratches back automatically!

Packages start at $1,695 with most Teslas completed and back in your driveway within 24 hours!

📍 Driving a Model 3, Y, S, X, or Cybertruck?

Visit The Recon Pros in Huntington Beach for a paint depth inspection and get your exact quote! https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thereconpros.com/tesla-ceramic-coating&source=gmail&ust=1789079388282000&sa=E

·DOES YOUR TESLA CYBERTRUCK LOOK LIKE THIS?Stains, fingerprints, oils and discoloration on the stainless-steel body can ...
09/09/2026

·
DOES YOUR TESLA CYBERTRUCK LOOK LIKE THIS?
Stains, fingerprints, oils and discoloration on the stainless-steel body can be frustrating—and ordinary washing may not deliver the finish you're looking for.

This Cybertruck came to me through a local Tesla dealership looking for a solution for their customer.

After years of working on the proper process for restoring and protecting the Cybertruck’s unique stainless-steel exterior, we put our system to work.

The result? ZERO TO HERO in one day.

We restored the appearance of the stainless steel and protected it with Revivify, helping make the surface easier to maintain while providing long-term protection.

The dealership was so impressed with the transformation, they immediately had us do a second Cybertruck.

If your Cybertruck is stained, spotted, covered in fingerprints or simply doesn't look the way it should, don't guess at how to fix it. Bring it to someone who understands the surface.
Call The Recon Pros today: (714) 795-2983
Restore it. Protect it. Preserve it.
Revivify for the win!

Every Make Demands a Specific Protection StrategyNo two automotive paint systems are created equal—so why protect them w...
09/09/2026

Every Make Demands a Specific Protection Strategy

No two automotive paint systems are created equal—so why protect them with a one-size-fits-all approach? 🏎️🛡️

A soft, eco-friendly clear coat on a modern Tesla requires a completely different correction and coating protocol than the hard ceramic clear on a Porsche, or the delicate single-stage paint on a vintage classic.

At The Recon Pros, we tailor every application directly to your vehicle's make, model, and year:

Exotics & Supercars: High-temperature resistance and extreme optical clarity to enhance deep body lines without altering factory sheen.

Daily Drivers & EVs: Flexible Revivify Self-Healing Protection that stands up to daily road debris, UV heat, and coastal salt air.

Classic & Vintage Builds: Specialist-level care to preserve original paint density while sealing against environmental oxidation.

Whether you're driving a brand-new daily driver, a weekend track machine, or a restored classic, we measure, correct, and protect your specific paint type to perfection.

📍 Looking for custom coating protection tailored specifically to your vehicle?

Visit The Recon Pros studio in Huntington Beach today for a surface inspection and a custom recommendation! https://www.thereconpros.com/.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bSFGhwh5ApDXAs3C9

This beautiful black Mercedes-Benz came in yesterday for its 3rd annual Revivify checkup. Three years ago, we paint-corr...
09/04/2026

This beautiful black Mercedes-Benz came in yesterday for its 3rd annual Revivify checkup. Three years ago, we paint-corrected and protected the entire vehicle with Revivify Self-Healing Coating—and today, it still looks incredible even three years later.

Black paint is one of the most difficult finishes to maintain. It reveals everything: swirls, wash marks, scratches, marring and everyday wear. Yet after three years of real-world driving, this Mercedes still has the deep, rich, showroom-quality finish we worked to achieve.

Here’s something every vehicle owner should understand: nothing can guarantee 100% protection. We drive our vehicles at freeway speeds, exposing the paint to road debris, weather, contamination and constant environmental abuse. But leaving your paint unprotected allows that damage to accumulate year after year.

Whether your vehicle is brand-new or pre-owned, proper paint correction followed by quality paint protection gives you the best opportunity to preserve its appearance, finish and value for years to come.

Protect it. Preserve it. Enjoy it.
Revivify for the Win.

Check with one of our Revivify or Recon Pros professionals today just give us a call at (800) 940-8033 and we'll put you in touch with one of our US Trained Professionals.

Stop Hiding Your Swirl Marks—Remove Them for GoodHave you ever picked up your car from a detail shop looking glossy, onl...
09/01/2026

Stop Hiding Your Swirl Marks—Remove Them for Good

Have you ever picked up your car from a detail shop looking glossy, only to watch every single swirl mark reappear after two weeks?

Here’s the truth: A standard polish hides defects. True paint correction removes them.

Standard glazes and waxes use cheap fillers to mask scratches. As soon as you wash your car or get caught in the rain, those fillers wash away, exposing the damage underneath.

At The Recon Pros, we do real surface restoration:

Digital Paint Depth Gauging: We measure clear coat thickness on every single panel to guarantee safe working limits.

Indoor Inspection Lights: We perform multi-stage correction exclusively indoors under multi-angle LED swirl boards and SunGun lighting.

Permanent Defects Removal: We mechanically level your clear coat so swirl marks, water spots, and oxidation are eliminated forever—not just covered up.

When a defect is truly corrected, it never grows back. Protect your investment with an honest finish.

📍 Ready to see what your paint actually looks like?

Bring your ride to The Recon Pros in Huntington Beach for a paint inspection and custom quote! https://www.thereconpros.com/contact

When you're dealing with modern EVs like the Cybertruck or soft Tesla paint finishes measuring just 4.5 mils thick, stan...
08/24/2026

When you're dealing with modern EVs like the Cybertruck or soft Tesla paint finishes measuring just 4.5 mils thick, standard detailing methods just won't cut it.

Over-polishing delicate clear coat eats away at a finite surface. That’s why we developed a strict, 3-step technical protocol at The Recon Pros:

1️⃣ MEASURED: Every single panel undergoes a digital paint depth inspection to ensure safe working limits before a machine touches the vehicle.

2️⃣ CORRECTED: We utilize specialized, soft-clear polishing techniques formulated specifically to refine sensitive surfaces without burning edges or creating halos.

3️⃣ PROTECTED: We seal the finish with Revivify Self-Healing Technology. Unlike traditional glass-hard ceramics that trap micro-scratches, Revivify creates a flexible, highly protective shield that uses the heat of the California sun to heal fine swirls automatically.

Don't leave your paint to trial and error. Trust the master technicians who measure down to the micron.

📍 Driving an EV or high-end build in Orange County?

Stop by The Recon Pros studio in Huntington Beach for a full digital paint inspection and custom Revivify package! https://www.thereconpros.com/contact

Notice fine swirl marks on your Model Y or Model 3 after just a few months of driving? You’re not crazy—and you definite...
08/18/2026

Notice fine swirl marks on your Model Y or Model 3 after just a few months of driving? You’re not crazy—and you definitely aren't alone.

Factory Tesla paint is notoriously thin and soft—typically measuring just 4 to 5 mils total. While the eco-friendly clear coat is great for the environment, it mars easily. Touchless car washes, dealer hand-offs, and dusty road covers introduce fine swirls into paint that looks pristine from a distance.

Here’s the catch: Traditional rigid ceramics can actually make the problem worse. A hard ceramic coating locks those swirls in permanently under a glass-hard layer that cannot self-repair.

At The Recon Pros, we use a specialized Tesla-calibrated protocol:

Panel-by-Panel Gauging: Every panel is measured with a digital gauge before touching clear coat to ensure safe working depth.

Soft-Clear Polishing: We use calibrated finishing compounds specifically formulated for soft Tesla paint to prevent burned edges and halos.

Revivify Self-Healing Protection: We lock the corrected finish with Revivify. Unlike rigid ceramics, its flexible polymers allow light swirls to self-heal back under the heat of the California sun!

Protect your EV investment the right way—without over-polishing or locking in swirls.

📍 Tesla owner in Orange County?
Visit The Recon Pros studio in Huntington Beach for a free paint depth inspection and custom EV package! https://www.thereconpros.com/contact

REVIVIFYA TRULY DYNAMIC LEVEL OF VEHICLE PAINT PROTECTIONFlexible. Resilient. Self-Healing.Choosing between traditional ...
08/17/2026

REVIVIFY
A TRULY DYNAMIC LEVEL OF VEHICLE PAINT PROTECTION
Flexible. Resilient. Self-Healing.
Choosing between traditional ceramic coatings and Paint Protection Film can be confusing—and expensive.
Revivify gives vehicle owners an exciting new option.
Unlike conventional ceramic coatings that focus on 9H–10H hardness, Revivify is engineered to cure flexible and resilient, with a coating build approximately 10X thicker than many traditional ceramic coatings.

AND REVIVIFY SELF-HEALS.

Heat helps Revivify recover from minor wash marks, light swirls and surface marring—helping your vehicle maintain that incredible gloss and finish.

With a 3-layer Revivify system, we're also seeing impressive real-world results with less road-debris marking, less pitting and fewer minor rock-chip imperfections and a crystal clear high gloss finish. Revivify is inspired by PPF-resilience, performance, along with Self-healing technology, but were more interested in offering you the protection you're looking for at a price tag you can afford.

Revivify is already winning the confidence of customers across America and in 19 countries around the world.

READY TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT?

Talk with a trained and certified Revivify professional and discover the right level of protection for your vehicle and your budget.

Revivify for the win again.

Address

16882 Gothard Street Unit E
Huntington Beach, CA
92647

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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