When to Compound vs When to Polish – Know the Difference Before You Start
Overcorrecting paint can burn through clear. Under-correcting leaves defects behind. Here's how to pick the right approach.
What Does Compounding Actually Do?
Compounding removes deeper defects:
- Oxidation
- Etching or water spot damage
- Deeper swirls and scratches
It uses an aggressive abrasive (and often a heavy-cut pad) to level the surface and cut away defects—but can leave hazing or holograms behind if not followed with a polish.
What Does Polishing Do?
Polishing is a refinement step. It:
- Removes micro-marring or light swirls
- Boosts clarity and gloss
- Refines after compounding
It's a gentler process and doesn’t remove as much material—making it safer for soft paint or regular maintenance polishing.
Signs You Need to Compound
- Visible swirls from years of bad washes
- Heavily oxidized or chalky paint
- Rough texture or deep etching from water spots
- You’re doing a restoration detail or neglected vehicle
Signs You Just Need to Polish
- The paint is relatively clean but lacks pop or gloss
- You see only light swirls or towel marring
- You recently clayed the vehicle and want to restore smoothness
- You’re prepping for ceramic spray or coating
What If You're Unsure?
Start with a one-step like Picture Perfect Polish and test with a medium pad. If it cuts and finishes well, you don’t need to compound.
Final Thoughts
You don’t always need to compound—and you definitely don’t always need to polish twice. Evaluate the paint, choose the least aggressive method that gets the job done, and you’ll avoid overworking the surface while still getting amazing results.
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