How to use rubbing compounds?
Wavex overview: Rubbing compounds level a microscopic layer of clear coat to remove swirls, scratches, oxidation, water spots, and sanding marks—restoring clarity and gloss. Pair the right compound with the right pad and machine for safe, professional results.
What Is a Rubbing Compound?
A rubbing compound is a precision abrasive liquid/paste that smooths micro-highs in the clear coat so defects disappear. Typical targets include:
- Swirl marks and light–moderate scratches
- Oxidation, haze, and dullness
- Water spots / acid rain etching
- Sanding marks (≈P1500–P2000)
- Post-paint defects on repainted panels
Wavex Compound Families: Choose the Right Chemistry
Detailing Compounds
- Wavex Alpha Cut — flagship heavy cutter for fast, controlled removal.
- Wavex One Step Polishing Compound — corrects & finishes in a single pass.
- Wavex XT-CUT · XT-GLOSS · XT-GLOSS PLUS — modular pro system to dial cut and finish.
Body Shop Compounds
Wavex Body Shop Compounds — economical solutions for post-paint correction on older or repainted finishes. Not recommended for modern OEM clear coats or detailing centers.
Machines: DA vs Rotary (and Why Wavex DA Wins for Most Jobs)
Dual Action (DA) Polisher — safer, easier, hologram-resistant. Best for modern paints and ideal for beginners and pros.
- Recommended: Wavex Dual Action Polisher Machine
- Excels with foam pads and microfiber wool pads
Rotary Polisher — maximum correction speed; higher heat. Popular in body shops; demands more skill.
Pad Technology: Foam, Wool & Microfiber Wool
Wavex Foam Pads
Available in Hard Cut, Medium, and Finishing grades:
- Hard Cut Foam — with Alpha Cut for moderate–heavy defects
- Medium Foam — with One Step for balanced correction
- Finishing Foam — with XT-GLOSS / XT-GLOSS PLUS for jeweling
Wavex Wool Polishing Pad
High cut for sanding marks and repaints. Pair with Wavex Body Shop Compounds in workshop environments.
Body Shop Wool PadWavex Black Wool Pad
The most aggressive pad in the Wavex system. Use with Wavex Alpha Cut for heavy defects on OEM clear coats when speed matters.
Black Wool PadMicrofiber Wool Pads
Hybrid construction gives wool-like cut with improved finishing. Great with Alpha Cut and One Step on a DA polisher.
Pad Sizing & Maintenance
- Match pad diameter to backing plate for edge control
- Clean on the fly with a pad brush / compressed air
- Swap loaded pads to maintain cut and finish
- Let pads cool; avoid overheating foams and adhesives
Which Combo When? (Quick Reference)
| Paint Condition | Pad Choice | Wavex Compound | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy scratches / P1500–P2000 sanding marks | Black Wool (modern) or Wool (repaints) | Alpha Cut (modern) · Body Shop (repaints) | Follow with foam finishing step for clarity |
| Moderate swirls / haze / oxidation | Microfiber Wool or Medium Foam | One Step or Alpha Cut | One Step often finishes LSP-ready |
| Light marring / final gloss | Finishing Foam | XT-GLOSS PLUS / XT-GLOSS | Jeweling pass before wax or coating |
Step-by-Step: The Wavex Correction Workflow
- Wash & De-dust: Clean thoroughly to avoid grinding dirt. Dry with a quality microfiber.
- Inspect & Light Up: Use strong lighting to map defects; mark deep scratches.
- Mask Sensitive Areas: Trim, edges, emblems, PPF edges.
- Test Spot: Start with the least aggressive combo that achieves the goal.
- Prime Pad: Lightly butter the pad face to prevent dry buffing.
- Apply Compound: 3–4 pea drops; set machine flat on panel before starting.
- Spread Pass: Low speed to distribute; then step up to working speed.
- Work Pattern: 3–5 slow cross-hatch passes with light–moderate pressure; keep pad flat.
- Wipe & Inspect: Use a clean microfiber; check under lighting; repeat or refine as needed.
- Refinement: Step down to Medium/Finishing Foam with XT-GLOSS / XT-GLOSS PLUS or a light pass of One Step.
- Protect: Lock in results with Wavex Carnauba Wax or Maxximus Graphene Wax (or your preferred coating).
Speeds, Pressure & Sectioning (Guidance)
- DA Speeds (indicative): Spread at low; work at mid–high; finish at mid. Keep arm speed slow.
- Pressure: Let abrasives cut—avoid leaning; lighten pressure as finish develops.
- Section Size: ~2×2 ft to maintain product performance and focus.
- Temperature: Panels should be cool to the touch; avoid prolonged heat build-up.
Common Mistakes & Wavex Fixes
- Using body shop compound on OEM clear: Can haze. → Use Alpha Cut / One Step / XT-Series for modern paints.
- Dry pad / minimal product: Micro-marring. → Prime pads and add adequate dots.
- Too much pressure / tilt: Holograms, heat. → Keep pad flat; reduce pressure.
- Dirty, loaded pads: Inconsistent cut. → Clean on the fly; swap pads frequently.
- Skipping refinement: Leaves haze on dark colors. → Finish with foam + fine polish.
Pad Care & Aftercare
- Brush foam and microfiber pads after each set; blow out with air if available.
- Wash pads with a gentle pad cleaner; air-dry face-up.
- Store flat, away from heat; keep dedicated pads per compound type.
- Retire pads that delaminate, harden, or lose structure.
FAQs
Can I compound by hand?
Small scuffs—yes. For uniform, safe correction on full panels, use the Wavex Dual Action Polisher with the appropriate pad.
Will compounding remove all scratches?
It removes or visually minimizes defects within the clear coat. Deep scratches into basecoat/primer may need touch-up or repainting.
Do I need to polish after compounding?
Heavy cutting usually benefits from a refining step (e.g., XT-GLOSS / XT-GLOSS PLUS or a light One Step)—especially on dark paints.
What should I apply after compounding?
Seal the finish with Wavex Carnauba Wax or Maxximus Graphene Wax (or your preferred coating) to protect the restored surface.
Bottom Line
Match the defect to the right pad and Wavex compound family. For modern paints use Alpha Cut, One Step, and XT-Series with DA safety; for repaints, use Wavex Body Shop Compounds with wool pads. Finish by protecting your work for long-lasting gloss.
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