Compound vs. Polish

[mjpowers728]

A lot of posts I've been reading on here mention that often an entire car gets buffed with a compound to remove swirls, when necessary. A while ago when I first got interested in polishing, I read that a compound should only be used on spots that are really bad, i.e. isolated scratches, but the compound would really reduce the clearcoat.
I know that the least agressive approach should be taken, but my question is if you buff a car with compound, exactly how much is the clearcoat compromised? By that I mean, if you "compound" a car, then go to detail it the next, would you be weary about using compound again?

I'm not by any means criticizing your guys' work, all of the pics I see on here are simply amazing. I'm just trying to clarify everything I've read both here and other places. This polishing business is causing me more confusion that girls did in highschool .

[SpeedEuphoria]

It depends alot on the method/equip that is being use as to how much is removed. You also have to realize that you do need to remove some clear to make the defect disappear.

You can use a polish and medium pad on a rotary and remove clear, or if you have a PC you prob need to use a compound,agressive pad to remove. The hardness of teh clear is the determining factor, well and the equip you have available to use.

There is no exact science because of all the varibles

[mjpowers728]

So it's safe to say that someone wheeling a car shouldn't shy away from a compound?

[SpeedEuphoria]

well like I said there are many varibles, as compounds are all different, from mild to wild.

Put it this way I've been using OC and yellow wool,running 1500rpms is removes stuff but isnt what I would consider dangerous for teh clear. It does leave slight scratches that need to be taken out, so I use OP and green pad, works great.

[mjpowers728]

Originally Posted by SpeedEuphoria

Put it this way I've been using OC and yellow wool,running 1500rpms is removes stuff but isnt what I would consider dangerous for teh clear.

That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks!

[imageautodetail]

compounds and polish are basically the same thing, a more agressive polish could be considered a compound or a less aggressive compound could be considered a polish. using grit terms, which means the comp/polis will remove scratches that are compared to grit marks made frome sandpaper

800-1200grit heavy cut compound
1200-1500grit medium cut compound
1500-2000grit light cut compund/heavy polishing
2000grit and above fine cut polish

hope this helps