Polishing compounds are categorized by their abrasiveness (cut) – the deeper the paint defect, the more aggressive the compound you need, and vice versa. You will find heavy-cut (abrasive) compounds for deep scratches and oxidation, medium-cut compounds for standard swirl marks, finishing compounds for maximum gloss after heavy correction, and one-step compounds (All-in-One, 3-in-1), which handle both correction and finishing at once. Brands like Koch Chemie or CARPRO have their compounds and corresponding pads color-coded, so you don't have to guess when combining the system.
Polishing compounds are categorized by their abrasiveness (cut) – the deeper the paint defect, the more aggressive the compound you need, and vice versa. You will find heavy-cut (abrasive) compounds for deep scratches and oxidation, medium-cut compounds for standard swirl marks, finishing compounds for maximum gloss after heavy correction, and one-step compounds (All-in-One, 3-in-1), which handle both correction and finishing at once. Brands like Koch Chemie or CARPRO have their compounds and corresponding pads color-coded, so you don't have to guess when combining the system.
How to choose a polishing compound based on the level of sanding
Choosing the wrong cutting power for a polish is the most common polishing mistake—a polish that’s too mild won’t remove the defect, while one that’s too aggressive will remove more paint than necessary.
Heavy-cut (abrasive) polishes
Designed for deep scratches, significant oxidation, or heavy swirl marks where more material needs to be removed. After using a heavy-cut polish, a second step with a medium or finishing polish is almost always necessary, as the heavy-cut polish leaves behind micro-scratches of its own.
Medium polishes
A versatile choice for ordinary swirl marks and dull paint without deeper defects—they handle most of the corrections you’ll typically encounter during regular maintenance.
Finishing (micro) polishes
They remove fine marks left by a heavier or medium polish and bring the paint to maximum gloss. They won’t correct more significant defects on their own and are intended as the final step.
One-step (All-in-One) polishes
They combine abrasive and finishing agents in a single product—faster and easier to use, ideal for maintenance polishing or paint without significant defects.
How to match a polish with a pad
Most systems (e.g., Koch Chemie Heavy/Fine/Micro/One Cut) have a matching pad for each polish—stick to the same product line so you know what to expect from the combination.
