Compound Polish Glaze Comparison Chart

    We put this chart together to help you compare products from various manufacturers and select the correct product for a specific task. Products are listed in order of cutting/cleaning power with 1 being the least aggressive and 10 being the most aggressive.

Green Band:
    Great for routine polishing to prepare the surface for the final wax or sealant. These products will remove existing wax or sealants, remove or visually reduce fine swirls and spider webbing and restore surface gloss. They are safe for all paint finishes with or without a clear coat. These products can typically be applied by hand or with a dual-action machine polisher. If using a machine, category "1" products are best applied using a Black Glazing/Finessing Pad. Category "2" and "3" products are best applied using a White Polishing Pad.

Amber Band:
    These products have more aggressive cutting power. They are best used with dual-action or circular machine polishers and a foam "polishing" pad to remove deeper swirls, scratches and spots that can not be removed with "Green Band" products. These products are designed to gently abrade away the surface until the defect is removed. Use with caution on clear coat finishes. Work in small 2 ft sections and inspect your progress often. Do not over polish and do not continue to polish when the product has dried. Most of these products can be applied by hand but all will work better if applied by a dual-action or circular machine polisher. If using a dual-action machine (like the Porter Cable 7424) we recommend using a 6 inch White Polishing Pad or a 6 inch Orange Power Pad (for more cutting power). If using a professional circular polisher, we recommend using a 7-1/2 inch White Polishing Pad or 7-1/2 inch Orange Power Pad (for more cutting power).

Red Band:
   Commonly called compounds, these products offer the maximum amount of cutting power to quickly abrade away the surface. They are designed to remove sever scratches, spots and paint defects that can not be removed with "Amber Band" products. These compounds work best when applied by a circular machine polisher using a 7-1/2 inch Yellow Compounding Pad or 7-1/2 inch Wool Blend Cutting Pad. These compounds should be used by persons with experience in machine polishing especially if working on a clear coat finish.