Metal Polishing Compound Bars for Buffing

THE COMPOUND CONTROLS THE POLISHING STAGE

Move from surface correction toward the finish you want

A cutting compound and a finishing compound do different jobs. Select the formula for the current stage, keep wheels and compounds separated, and judge the surface before moving to a finer step.

27 live combinations

The selector shows the current formula, bar-size, price, and availability combinations.

Junior or full-size bars

Junior Bars are labeled as one-third size. Full-size bars are approximately 10 × 2 × 2 inches; actual weight varies by formula.

Customer-verified rating

4.8 out of 5 from 134 reviews. Available review content appears below.

Which polishing compound matches your material?

Starting formulas and follow-up stages
Work material	First polishing stage	Follow-up polishing stage
Aluminum	Tripoli T-88	Green Rouge G-16 for color; blue, white or purple for a finer finish as the surface requires.
Stainless steel or steel	Black Magic SS-11 / Stainless SS-77	Move to a separate wheel and finer blue, white or purple formula as the finish requires.
Copper or brass	Yellow Deluxe SS-617	Purple Rouge for the follow-up high-luster stage.

These are starting points for the named Maverick formulas. Surface condition and the wheel affect the sequence. Keep one clean wheel dedicated to each compound; bar color is not a universal grit rating.

For acrylic, plastic, G10, wood or composites, compare No Scratch Pink. Ask Maverick to confirm the application of any formula not described in the guide.

COMPOUND AND WHEEL GUIDE

See how compounds and airway wheels work together

Watch the Maverick process videos, then compare the material and wheel-pairing guidance below.

CORE FORMULA GUIDE

What does each polishing compound do?

Match the named formula to the material and stage. The selector also includes Q-36, Q-69, Wild Cherry, Wild Berry, and Blueberry formulas; contact Maverick for application matching when a formula is not described here.

ALUMINUM CUT

Tripoli T-88

Brown cutting compound for the initial aluminum stage. Pair it with an orange airway wheel for aluminum; choose a stainless cutting formula for stainless steel.

STAINLESS OR STEEL CUT

Black Magic SS-11 or Stainless SS-77

Cutting compounds for stainless steel or steel. Pair the compound with a compatible cutting wheel and process for the job.

ALUMINUM COLOR

Green Rouge G-16

Color compound for aluminum after the cutting stage. The established pairing is a yellow or pink treated airway wheel.

VERY FINE POLISH

Blue Rouge SS-800

A fine-polish choice for aluminum or stainless. Purple is the higher-luster option when an additional final stage is required.

VERY FINE POLISH

White Rouge SS-300

A fine-polish choice for aluminum or stainless that is positioned as a brighter step than green rouge, but not the final high-luster formula.

PLASTIC AND COMPOSITES

No Scratch Pink

Listed for acrylic, plastic, G10, wood, and related composite work. Test first and control heat, pressure, and wheel selection.

COPPER OR BRASS

Yellow Deluxe SS-617

The copper-and-brass sequence pairs Yellow Deluxe with a yellow airway wheel for the first polishing step.

FINAL HIGH LUSTER

Purple Rouge

Positioned as the final high-luster compound. Pair it with a clean white flannel wheel for aluminum or a pink wheel in the copper-and-brass sequence.

Color is not a universal grit code. Bar color can come from abrasive ingredients or added pigment. Choose by the named formula and documented application—not by color alone.

WHAT THE COMPOUND CONTRIBUTES

Coarser formulas correct the surface; finer formulas develop luster

The compound works with the buffing wheel during cutting, coloring, and final polishing. It is not simply a wax or a color choice.

CUTTING COMPOUNDS

Reduce the existing scratch pattern

Coarser formulas are used first to remove or refine sanding scratches and visible surface defects. The starting formula must match the metal, wheel, machine, and actual condition of the part.

COLORING AND FINISHING COMPOUNDS

Refine the cut and increase luster

Finer formulas follow the cutting stage to reduce the previous scratch pattern and brighten the surface. A separate clean wheel is required for each compound so coarse residue does not contaminate the finer step.

WHY BAR COLORS VARY

Abrasive ingredients and pigments affect appearance

Abrasive ingredients, pigments, and dyes can affect appearance. Similar-looking bars can perform different jobs.

MATERIAL RANGE

Choose the named formula—not one bar for every material

The documented range includes aluminum, stainless steel, steel, copper, and brass. No Scratch Pink is separately listed for acrylic, plastics, G10, wood, and related composites. Test the complete process before production work.

MATERIAL ROUTINES

How should you sequence the polishing stages?

ALUMINUM

Cut, color, then optionally finish

Prepare the surface first. Use Tripoli T-88 with an orange airway wheel for the initial cut, then Green Rouge G-16 with a clean yellow wheel for color. For an additional show-finish stage, use blue or purple compound with a separate white flannel wheel.

STAINLESS OR STEEL

Use a stainless cutting formula

Use Black Magic SS-11 or Stainless SS-77 for the initial cutting stage, then move to a separate clean wheel and finer blue, white, or purple compound as the finish requires. Do not substitute the aluminum Tripoli sequence for stainless.

COPPER OR BRASS

Prepare tarnish before polishing

Use a scuff pad for light tarnish or gentle 600–800 grit preparation for heavier oxidation, followed by Yellow Deluxe on a yellow wheel and Purple on a pink wheel. Confirm operating speed against the wheel, machine and process requirements.

SURFACE PREPARATION

Start from the actual scratch pattern

Choose Black Magic SS-11 for stainless or steel, or Tripoli T-88 for aluminum. The starting scratch pattern, material, wheel, pressure and speed affect the result. Test the full process before production work.

APPLICATION AND BAR SIZE

Apply the compound to a dedicated wheel edge

Applying a polishing compound bar to the edge of an airway buffing wheel — Apply small amounts to the working edge. Keep one wheel dedicated to one compound so a coarse cutting residue does not contaminate a finer finishing step.

FULL-SIZE BAR

Approximately 10 × 2 × 2 inches

Full-size bars typically weigh about 2–3.25 pounds depending on the formula and raw materials. Junior Bars are labeled as one-third size. Use the selector because not every formula is offered in both sizes.

POLISHING EQUIPMENT AND WHEELS

Confirm speed, arbor, wheel, flanges, and guarding before use

Equipment examples require a matching wheel, mounting hardware, guarding and operating speed. Check the machine and wheel manufacturer’s requirements before choosing a setup.

HANDHELD EXAMPLE

Makita 9237C

Check the manufacturer’s speed and mounting requirements for your selected wheel.

HANDHELD EXAMPLE

Makita GA7021

Confirm the exact attachment and operating speed before choosing a polishing wheel.

BENCHTOP EXAMPLE

POWERTEC benchtop polisher

Compare the spindle, flanges, guard clearance and wheel-speed requirements.

MATCH THE WHEEL

8-inch airway buffing wheels

Choose the wheel by material, cutting or coloring stage, arbor, speed, and compound pairing.

Polishing safety: Buffing can generate airborne dust and can grab or throw parts. Review the compound SDS, work-material hazards, machine instructions, required guarding, eye and face protection, and the workplace respiratory-protection program before operation. Select respiratory protection for the assessed exposure; view the listed respirator example and confirm suitability for the task.

COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES

Compound is also available by the drum

Commercial drum quantities vary by formula. Confirm bar count, total weight and freight requirements when requesting a quote. Email sales@maverickabrasives.com for current commercial pricing, formula availability, and freight details.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Download the compound-bar safety data sheets

Use the SDS for the exact formula being handled. Contact Maverick if the selected formula is not listed below or if a current revision is required.

Black Magic SS-11 SDS Blue Rouge SS-800 SDS Green Rouge G-16 SDS Stainless SS-77 SDS Tripoli T-88 SDS White Rouge SS-300 SDS Yellow Deluxe SDS No Scratch Pink SDS Purple Rouge SDS

HOW TO USE IT

Use a separate, controlled process for each polishing stage

The correct machine setup depends on the wheel, compound, material, part geometry, starting scratch pattern, speed, and required finish.

01
Confirm the polisher, spindle, wheel diameter, arbor, guarding, and rated speed are compatible.
02
Prepare the surface, then choose the cutting, coloring, or finishing compound for the material and current scratch pattern.
03
Use a clean wheel dedicated to that compound so coarse residue does not contaminate a finer step.
04
Apply compound in small amounts and polish with controlled pressure, movement, and heat.
05
Clean and inspect the surface before deciding whether to repeat the step or move to a finer compound.

Use the guarding, extraction or collection, personal protective equipment, training, and operating procedures required by the machine, abrasive product, work material, and workplace.

Use it for

Buffing wheels and compatible polishing machines
Aluminum, stainless, steel, brass, or copper with the matched formula
Plastic, acrylic, G10, wood, or composites with No Scratch Pink
Separate cutting, coloring, and finishing stages
Trial-size or recurring shop use through the two bar-size choices

Do not use it for

Mixing multiple compounds on the same wheel
Using a formula without checking its material and stage
Polishing with an incompatible or over-speed wheel
Excess pressure or heat on plated, coated, thin, or heat-sensitive parts
Assuming one compound will remove every defect and create the final finish

PRODUCT FAQ

Questions before you choose?

Which compound bar should I use on aluminum?

The current product guidance lists Tripoli T-88 for the cutting stage, Green Rouge G-16 for color, and blue, white, or purple rouge for progressively finer luster choices. The right sequence depends on the starting surface and buffing wheel.

Which compound is listed for stainless steel?

Black Magic SS-11 and Stainless SS-77 are listed for cutting stainless steel or steel. Blue, white, and purple formulas are listed as finer polishing choices. Use separate wheels for separate compounds.

What is the difference between a Junior Bar and a Full-Size Bar?

The Junior Bar is labeled as one-third size and is suited to trials or lower-volume use. Full-size bars are approximately 10 × 2 × 2 inches and typically weigh about 2–3.25 pounds depending on formula. Not every formula is offered in both sizes.

Can these compounds be used on plastic or wood?

The No Scratch Pink formula is specifically listed for plastic, acrylic, G10, wood, and related composites. Test first and control heat, pressure, and wheel choice.

Can I use the same buffing wheel with different compounds?

Use a separate clean wheel for each compound. Residue from a cutting compound can contaminate a finer finishing step and reintroduce scratches.

What are the shipping and return terms?

Shipping methods, rates, and delivery estimates depend on the order and destination and are shown at checkout. Return eligibility, approval requirements, restocking fees, and return-shipping costs are explained in the return policy. Review the policy before ordering.

READY TO CHOOSE?

Choose the formula for the next polishing stage

Select the compound first, then choose the available bar size and confirm the current price and availability.

Choose your option