Choose a buffing compound by its named formula, the metal and the polishing stage. Then match the wheel to that specific process. For Maverick’s aluminum kit, the starting pair is Tripoli with an orange airway wheel. For the stainless steel mini kit, it is Black Magic with a red airway wheel. Use a separate clean wheel for each compound.
This guide covers solid compound bars and airway buffing wheels for metal. Automotive paint compounds, foam pads and floor-buffing pads use different selection systems.
Buffing compound color chart for Maverick formulas
The pairings below follow the current Maverick kit descriptions. They are starting sequences for prepared surfaces, not a universal color-to-grit conversion.
| Material and stage | Compound | Airway wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum: initial cut | Brown Tripoli T-88 | Orange treated |
| Aluminum: color after cutting | Green Rouge G-16 | Clean yellow mill-treated |
| Stainless steel: initial cut | Black Magic SS-11 | Red treated |
| Stainless mini kit: next polishing stage | Yellow Deluxe SS-617 | Clean pink treated |
Compare the complete aluminum polishing kit sequence and stainless steel mini kit contents and pairings. Other kits can use different combinations; follow the exact kit you have.
Do compound colors mean the same thing across brands?
No. Color alone does not establish grit, formula equivalence or material compatibility. Match the product name and manufacturer’s application guidance. Do not substitute another maker’s green, pink or black bar just because its color matches this chart.
Even within one range, a formula can have different roles in different processes. Yellow Deluxe appears in Maverick’s stainless mini kit and its copper-and-brass sequence with different wheel pairings. The material and complete sequence matter.
What is the difference between cutting, coloring and finishing?
Cutting addresses the prepared surface’s remaining defects; coloring and finer finishing develop the next level of luster. Inspect the surface after each stage. A fine finishing bar is not a substitute for removing deeper damage or completing the appropriate sanding preparation.
The named compound-formula guide explains additional blue, white and purple finishing options, plus No Scratch Pink for its listed plastic, wood and composite applications. Check the exact formula instead of treating one bar as suitable for every surface.
Which buffing wheel should I choose?
Choose the wheel’s cloth and treatment for the polishing stage, then confirm its diameter, arbor, center configuration and speed rating against the machine instructions. An arbor hole and a threaded spindle are different mounting details. Wheel diameter alone does not establish fit.
Compare 8-inch airway wheel cloth options or airway wheel sizes and accessories. Follow the wheel and machine requirements for mounting, flanges, guarding and operating speed.
Questions before you start
Do I need to sand before buffing?
Assess the actual surface first. Deep scratches, machining marks or damage may need abrasive preparation before compound polishing. Choose the progression for the material and finish goal, then test the full process on a suitable sample. A bar’s color does not promise removal of a particular grit scratch.
Can I use one wheel for several compounds?
Keep a separate wheel dedicated to each compound. Coarse residue carried into a finer stage can reintroduce scratches. Clean and inspect the part between stages as the product directions require.
What should I check before buying?
Have the metal, starting surface, desired finish, machine model, wheel diameter and mounting details ready. Compare the exact compound and wheel labels and the compound safety data. For an uncertain combination, call Maverick for help matching the setup before ordering.
Sources for this selection guide
The chart uses the linked Maverick aluminum and stainless mini-kit records. For an example of a different manufacturer’s named color system, see Stuller’s guide to jewelry polishing compounds. Its formulas and applications should not be treated as substitutes for Maverick’s.