A three-stage correction is a comprehensive paint correction process that is used to remove severe imperfections such as heavy swirl marks, deep scratches, oxidation, and other paint defects. This process is typically used on vehicles that have been severely neglected, have been in an accident or have been exposed to harsh weather conditions for an extended period of time. The three-stage correction process involves three steps:

The first step is a heavy compounding process, which uses a machine polisher and an aggressive polishing compound to remove a significant amount of the clear coat on the vehicle's paint. This step aims to remove the majority of the imperfections. The second step is a refining process, which uses a less aggressive polishing compound and machine polisher to further refine the paint and remove any remaining imperfections. The final step is a finishing process, which uses a fine polishing compound and machine polisher to enhance the shine and bring out the full potential of the paint. This step is to achieve a high-gloss finish. After the three-stage correction, the paint should look flawless, smooth, glossy and have a deep shine.