Compound vs Polish
Quick answer: A compound is a cutting product designed to remove heavier defects by abrading the clear coat; a polish is a finer product for refining the finish, boosting gloss and removing light haze after compounding.
What it means
Both products use abrasives to level paint. Compounds use heavier cut to tackle swirls, oxidation and sanding marks. Polishes use finer abrasives to clear the micro-marring that compounds and pads can leave, restoring clarity before protection. Some modern products blur the lines, offering good cut with a high finish depending on pad and machine.
Polishes and compounds, when machine polished, are often used in conjunction with cutting pads and polishing pads, usually made of different grades of foam.
Why it matters
- Result quality: correct sequencing avoids haze and holograms, delivering a crisp, high-gloss finish.
- Clear coat management: compounding removes more material than polishing, so you use it only where needed.
- Efficiency: pairing the right liquid with the right pad and machine saves time and rework.
- Protection prep: coatings look better and bond more reliably to a properly refined surface.
Where you’ll see it
Paint correction estimates, one-stage vs two-stage packages, and product labels that indicate cut and finish on a scale.
Context
Car Paint Protection; Paint correction
Common mistakes
- Jumping straight to a heavy compound when a medium polish and suitable pad would do.
- Not finishing after compounding, leaving haze or holograms that show under raking light.
- Assuming grit or “cut numbers” are comparable across brands – test on the car you have.
- Overworking edges and high spots where clear coat is thin.
- Confusing glazes or fillers with true polishing – fillers wash out, defects return.
- Dirty or saturated pads reducing cut and creating smear.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 07/11/2025 16:50