Polishing Compound Chart: Cut, Polish, and Finish Grades
A polishing compound chart matches each cut grade to the defects it removes, so the bottle in hand fits the panel in front of it.
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Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Bundle9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Carfidant Heavy Cut Compound9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Chemical Guys, Insynchro Scratch & Swirl Remover9.5/10View on Amazon - 4
Mix Polishing Compound, SPTA 16.91oz (500ml)9.5/10View on Amazon
A panel that looks clean in the garage can show swirls, holograms and sanding marks in sunlight, and the grade of abrasive has to match the mark on the paint. A polishing compound chart lines the grades up from heavy cut to finish, so the bottle in hand matches the defect on the paint. Heavy cut takes out sanding marks, medium cut refines the surface, and finish polish removes the last swirls and holograms for a deep gloss.
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Below: the grades, what each removes, and the compounds for each grade.
Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Bundle
A bundle with M105 Ultra-Cut Compound for moderate to heavy defects and M205 Ultra Finishing Polish for light swirls and holograms.
Pros
- M105 removes 1200 grit or finer sanding marks
- M205 removes light swirls and holograms
- Works by hand, dual action or rotary
- Clear coat safe on all glossy paint finishes
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No pad or towel included
- Cut and finish take separate passes
- Marks coarser than 1200 grit sit outside the stated range
Carfidant Heavy Cut Compound
A heavy cut compound in a 16 oz bottle for deep scratches, marks from 1000 to 1500 grit and heavy oxidation, for dual action and rotary machines.
Pros
- Removes deep scratches and 1000 to 1500 grit marks
- Cuts heavy oxidation and weathered clear coat
- Long working cycle, low dust
- Works on all paint colors and clear coats
Cons
- First-step compound; a finishing polish follows
- No warranty term is stated
- Needs a dual action polisher or rotary buffer
- No pad included
Chemical Guys, Insynchro Scratch & Swirl Remover
A hand polishing kit with an 8 oz bottle, a Hex-Logic hand pad and a microfiber towel for light scratches and swirls, with no machine needed.
Pros
- Works light scratches and swirls out by hand
- Pad and microfiber towel included, ready to start
- Hand work cannot generate damaging heat
- Safe on clear coat and single stage paint
Cons
- Light scratches only; deeper marks need a machine or body shop
- Sized for spot defects like a scuffed door
- Needs the panel washed before and sealed after
- Warranty covers 30 days through Amazon
Mix Polishing Compound, SPTA 16.91oz (500ml)
A 16.91 oz (500ml) bottle of mix polishing compound with a buffer pad and a three step system.
Pros
- Covers light to heavy swirls and scratches
- Three step system: heavy cut, medium cut, finish polish
- Sealant protection is included in the formula
- Body shop safe, silicone-free, for all paint types
Cons
- Not effective for deep scratches or areas where paint is missing
- Maker states results may vary
- Different pads give more or less cutting power
- Heavy cut step removes 1500 grit marks
Polishing Compound Chart: Cut, Polish, and Finish Grades
The chart reads from heavy cut at the top to finish at the bottom. Each grade lists the defects it removes and the grit marks it handles.
| Grade | What it removes | Grit marks it handles | Follow with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy cut | Deep scratches, sanding marks, heavy oxidation | 1000 to 1500 grit | Medium cut, then finish polish |
| Medium cut | Light to moderate swirls and scratches | 2000 to 2500 grit | Finish polish |
| Finish | Light swirls and holograms | 2500 grit | Seal the corrected paint, unless the compound includes sealant |
Each grade is followed by a finer grade until the finish grade leaves a swirl-free shine.
How to Read the Chart
Start with the defect, not the bottle. Deep scratches and heavy oxidation call for heavy cut, while light swirls call for finish polish. Marks from 1000 to 1500 grit suit heavy cut, while marks from 2000 to 2500 grit suit medium cut. If a nail catches in the scratch, the defect needs machine work or a body shop.
Pads matter as much as compound: cutting pads add cut, foam and finishing pads refine, and the same bottle cuts more or less with a different pad. The Meguiar’s M105 + M205 bundle works by hand, dual action or rotary. Compound and polish are not the same step: car compound vs polish explains which bottle cuts and which refines.
Compounds for Each Grade of the Chart
Each compound below handles a grade of the chart, from heavy cut to finish polish.
How to Work Through the Grades
Work the grades in order. Wash the panel, work the defect, wipe it clean, and check the panel before the next grade. Heavy cut levels the defect, medium cut refines the surface, and finish polish brings back the gloss, with a seal after the last grade unless the compound includes sealant protection.
Keep the pad flat and let the compound do the cutting. Wipe the residue off before it dries. For machine work, the best dual action polisher picks cover dual action machines for the garage.
Keep electric pressure washers on a GFCI outlet, never point the wand at people or pets, wear eye protection with polishers and chemicals, and read the label before mixing any cleaning products. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What grit marks does a heavy cut compound remove?
The Carfidant Heavy Cut is stated for sanding marks from 1000 to 1500 grit, and the Meguiar’s M105 + M205 bundle cuts 1200 grit or finer marks.
Can I polish by hand, or do I need a machine?
Both work, for different defects. The Chemical Guys Hand Kit works light scratches and swirls out by hand, while the Carfidant Heavy Cut needs a dual action polisher or rotary buffer, and the Meguiar’s bundle and SPTA compound work by hand or machine.
What comes after the finish polish?
A seal, unless the compound already includes sealant protection. Wash the panel, work the defect, wipe it clean, then seal the corrected area so the result holds. The Chemical Guys Hand Kit calls for a wash before the work and a seal after, while the SPTA Mix Compound includes sealant protection in the formula.
Does a polishing compound remove deep scratches?
A heavy cut compound can remove deep scratches, but not every bottle does. The Carfidant Heavy Cut is made for deep scratches and marks from 1000 to 1500 grit; the SPTA Mix Compound states it is not effective for deep scratches or missing paint.
How do I pick between a kit and a bottle?
Pick a kit when the job needs pads and a towel with the compound. The Chemical Guys Hand Kit includes an 8 oz bottle, a hand pad and a towel, while the Carfidant Heavy Cut is for machine use and the SPTA Mix Compound is for hand or machine use.
Related: car detailing, the best polishing compound picks and car detailing tips.
