Rubbing & Cutting Compounds
Rubbing compounds for car paint: Pro 4000 heavy cut for sanding marks and oxidation, Pro 6000 for swirls and scratches, with silicone-free versions.
Which rubbing compound do you need?
- Pro 4000 — a heavy-cut professional compound for sanding marks, oxidation and deep swirls. Silicone-free, so it is body-shop safe.
- Pro 6000 — a 3-in-1 correction compound that cuts, polishes and finishes moderate swirls and scratches in fewer steps.
- Pro 6000 SF — the silicone-free version for body shops and coating preparation.
Follow a cut with a finishing polish to remove the haze a compound leaves, then protect the paint with a wax or sealant. The P-Series system sets out the full sequence, and the paint correction kit bundles it.
Rubbing compound vs polish
A rubbing (cutting) compound has coarser abrasives that level the clear coat around a defect; a polish has finer abrasives that refine the surface. Always use the least aggressive product that removes the defect, and measure or know the paint thickness before heavy cutting.
Can rubbing compound remove scratches?
It removes scratches that are in the clear coat. If a fingernail catches in the scratch, it may be through the clear coat and need touch-up paint rather than compounding.
Which pad should I use with a cutting compound?
A firmer cutting pad, such as the orange flat pad. Switch to a softer pad for the polishing stage.