Cut vs Gloss Explained

Cut refers to how quickly and effectively a compound can remove surface defects such as sanding marks, scratches or oxidation. A high cut compound uses engineered abrasive particles to abrade the surface more aggressively, removing deeper marks in less time.

• Faster cut = quicker defect removal
• Higher cut compounds are often used as the first step in a polishing process
• The level of cut achieved depends on both the compound formula and the pad or machine used

Gloss is the clarity, depth and reflectivity of a surface after polishing. In simple terms, it is how "mirror-like" the finish appears - free from haze, micro-scratches and swirl marks. A high gloss finish reflects light sharply and shows clear, undistorted images.

How gloss is measured

• Gloss Units (GU): Measured using a glossmeter, which shines light onto the surface at a fixed angle (commonly 20°, 60° or 85°) and records how much is reflected back.
• Distinctness of Image (DOI): Goes further than gloss by measuring how sharp or blurred a reflection appears — important for high-end finishes.
• Haze: Measures the “milky” or dull appearance caused by fine surface micro-scratches that scatter light.

A surface can have “high gloss” readings on a glossmeter but still look poor to the eye if haze or low DOI is present.

In polishing practice

• Compounds with stronger finishing ability reduce haze and improve DOI as well as gloss.
• Pad and machine choice influence gloss level — finishing foams (black) are designed to maximise clarity.
• High-gloss results matter in automotive, marine and industrial applications, where finish quality is a visible marker of workmanship.

Traditionally, polishing has involved a balance - compounds designed for fast cutting remove heavy defects quickly but may leave surface haze or micro-scratches that reduce gloss. Compounds designed for finishing give a clear, mirror-like result but lack the abrasive strength to tackle deeper marks.

This is why multi-stage processes are common - a cutting stage to remove defects, followed by a finishing stage to refine gloss.

However, the pad also plays a major role in this trade-off.

• Using a high cut pad increases the cutting power of the same compound, helping with coarse sanding marks.
• Switching to a softer finishing pad with the very same compound allows it to refine the surface further and improve gloss.
• Mid-range compounding foams balance the two, giving cut with good clarity.

So, while the compound formula sets the baseline, the choice of pad and machine can push performance more towards cut or gloss depending on the job.

Pads make a significant difference to how a compound performs. By pairing the same compound with different pads, you can push the result towards faster defect removal or higher gloss:

• Super High Cut Pad – increase cutting power, ideal for coarse hand-sanded P1500 marks.
• Compounding Foams (Yellow) – balance cut and finish, often used after DA sanding.
• Finishing Foams (Black) – refine gloss by reducing haze and micro-scratches.

The pad acts as the compound’s partner - it determines how aggressively the abrasives work against the surface and how fine the finish will appear. This makes pad choice just as important as compound choice in achieving the right balance of cut and gloss.

The right approach depends on the surface, the defect, and the result required:

• One-step efficiency - use a compound with both high cut and gloss (e.g. G360 Super Fast Compound) for maximum speed and reduced stages.
• Two-stage flexibility - use a compound like G3 Premium with different pads (yellow foam for cut, black foam for gloss) for a tailored result.
• Multi-step systems - lower-priced compounds generally cut slower and deliver less gloss, so a second finishing product is required.