What is the difference between wax and compound?
Quick answer: Compound cuts paint. It’s a stronger abrasive used to level defects (heavier swirls, oxidation, etching), and is usually followed by a finer polish, then protection. Wax (or sealant) protects; it adds gloss and water beading but doesn’t remove scratches. Only compound when needed, test a small area first, and always protect afterwards.
A wax is a protective coating that you put on your car to protect the paintwork. A compound is another name for a polish, but when it's called a 'compound' it's usually quite coarse, as in a 'cutting compound'. Think of it as liquid sandpaper.
Cutting compound is an abrasive. It levels the clear coat to sort defects — swirl marks, light scratches, sanding haze, oxidation, that flat, chalky look. There are heavier and lighter grades, and we’ll choose what’s needed based on paint depth and the state of the panel. Used properly, usually by machine, a compound removes a microscopic layer to make the surface flat so light bounces back cleanly. That’s where you get the clarity and depth. A compound will leave buffing marks, so a fine polish will be needed to finish the paintwork to a fine shine without blemishes.
Wax doesn’t remove anything. It sits on top as a thin, sacrificial layer. More gloss. More slickness. Nice water beading. It helps shield against UV, salt, bird mess and fallout. It makes washing easier and slows the return of defects — but it won’t fix them.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 15/09/2025 15:03