COMPOUND CATEGORIES
There are three primary categories of polishing compounds:
- Cutting compounds known as Tripolis. High cuts remove more than lower cuts. These compounds eliminate dull scratches and emery marks to deliver a smooth, dull, surface.
- Intermediates, which cut away rough surfaces and provides a degree of luster.
- Finishing rouges, which are burnishing compounds used to deliver a high-quality polish.
Polishing compounds come in many forms, with surfaces that range from extra coarse to extra-fine. Depending on the application and how much smoothing needs to be done, different compounds can be used during the process to achieve the desired results.
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COMMONLY-USED POLISHING COMPOUNDS
I have compiled a list of commonly-used polishing compounds along with their recommended applications below. The most common compound used in woodworking is green but white works very well also.
GREEN
This intermediate metal polishing compound is mainly used to finish stainless steel surfaces, which is why it is often referred to as the stainless steel compound. It removes scratches and provides a mirror-like finish.
WHITE
Used primarily on hard metals and stainless steel, white polishing compounds have a finer composition that make it ideal for the cutting and intermediate stages of the polishing process.
BLACK
The black polishing compound is used in smaller doses to add shine to aluminum, steel, copper, brass, and similar metals. The black emery compound in particular is recommended if you need to remove deep scratches or smooth rough surfaces.
BROWN
The brown polishing compound is highly versatile and commonly used to polish surfaces on softer metals like brass, copper, and aluminum. It can even be applied to wood surfaces, resulting in a lustrous finish.
YELLOW
These dry, low-residue polishing compounds deliver a brilliant shine on hard metals like gold and platinum, which is why this particular compound is popular in the jewelry industry.
PINK
This dual-purpose compound is applied in the first stage of soft metal polishing and in the final stage of hard metal polishing to add a finishing touch. It is one of the most versatile compounds, as it can also be used on wood, painted surfaces, and plastic.