Paint correction is the process of rejuvenating and restoring the paintwork of a vehicle. Machine polishers are used to eliminate the surface imperfections of dull paint that has been either oxidized, or hazed. Other imperfections like swirl marks, fine scratches, acid rain etching, buffer trails, or deep scratches, can be cured by these polishers compounds by correcting these surface imperfections.

The corrective process itself comprises a small amount of clear coat from the surface with abrasive polishers in order to level out the imperfective surfaces. Polishing is usually a multi-stage process as different grades of polish are used. They range from heavy cutting compounds that can remove surface material, to some finer grade products which can then remove any marks that a heavier product has inflicted. This will not only refine the finish, but can give a new shine to imperfect surfaces.