Medium Cut Compounds

Medium cut compounds are for moderate swirls, light scratches and dull paint that does not need a heavy compound, and for refining the haze a heavy one leaves. The range includes Menzerna Medium Cut Polish 2000 to 2500, Rupes DA Fine Compound, Koch-Chemie Fine Cut F6.01, Autobead Medium Cut Compound, Angelwax Regenerate and VP Fast.

How to choose

• On paint marked only by washing, start here: work a test section and step up to Heavy Cut Compounds only if swirls remain.
• The pad changes the result. On Medium Cut Foam Pads a medium compound cuts and finishes reasonably well; a microfibre or heavy cut pad cuts harder but leaves more haze.
• The Rupes Compound and Polish Sample Pack lets you try Rupes grades on your own paint before buying full bottles.

Good to know

• Three or four pea-sized drops on a primed pad are enough for a section. Too much product clogs the pad and leaves dusty residue.
• Brush the pad clean between sections and wash it with Pad Cleaning products after the job.
• Dark paint shows haze most, so on black and dark colours follow with Finishing Polishes.

What are the different types of cutting compounds?

They are graded by how much they cut: heavy cut for deep swirls and sanding marks, medium cut for moderate swirls or a second stage, and finishing polishes for the gloss. One-step and all-in-one products cut and finish together. There is no shared scale, so compare grades within one brand.

Related: Compounds & Polishes, Heavy Cut Compounds, Finishing Polishes, One Step Polishes. Popular brands here: Rupes, Autobead, Koch-Chemie, Angelwax.