Metal Polishing Compound Bars for Buffing | Maverick

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

4.9 out of 5 from 122 reviews. Available review content appears below.

DECISION GUIDE

Which polishing compound should you choose?

These roles come from the existing Maverick product guidance. Always test the complete wheel-and-compound system on an inconspicuous area first.

ALUMINUM CUT

Tripoli T-88

The current product guidance positions brown Tripoli as the cutting compound for aluminum.

STAINLESS OR STEEL CUT

Black Magic SS-11 or Stainless SS-77

Both formulas are listed for an initial cutting stage on stainless steel or steel; pair the compound with the wheel and process specified for the job.

COLOR AND LUSTER

Green, blue, white, or purple rouge

Green is listed as an aluminum color compound. Blue and white are fine-polish choices for aluminum or stainless; purple is positioned for a high-luster final step.

PLASTIC AND COMPOSITES

No Scratch Pink

The current product record positions the pink formula for plastics, acrylic, G10, wood, and related composite work.

ORIGINAL PRODUCT GUIDANCE, RETAINED

See how compounds and airway wheels work together

The original page included both of these Maverick videos. Use them with the written material and wheel-pairing guidance below.

CORE FORMULA GUIDE

What does each documented polishing compound do?

These roles reproduce the established guidance from the original page. The live 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. The original guidance pairs it with an orange airway wheel and says not to use this aluminum sequence for stainless.

STAINLESS OR STEEL CUT

Black Magic SS-11 or Stainless SS-77

Cutting compounds for stainless steel or steel. The original guidance pairs these with a heavy-cut red or orange treated wheel, or a sisal wheel for very heavy cutting.

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. The original page positions purple as 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 original 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. The original guidance pairs 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. The original page explains that 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 original page explains that 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

The original guidance notes that natural abrasive ingredients can give a bar its color and that manufacturers may also use pigment or dye to distinguish formulas that look similar but behave differently.

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 does the original Maverick guidance 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, the original guidance lists 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

The original page suggests 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. Its stated polishing range is 2,200–2,600 RPM; the wheel, machine, and process ratings still control.

SURFACE PREPARATION

Start from the actual scratch pattern

The original guidance says Black Magic SS-11 or Tripoli T-88 can remove a 400-grit scratch pattern when paired with the appropriate wheel, but results depend on material, wheel, pressure, speed, and surface condition. 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.

MACHINE EXAMPLES FROM THE ORIGINAL PAGE

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

These links were present on the original product page. They are equipment examples, not a substitute for checking the machine and wheel manufacturer's requirements.

HANDHELD EXAMPLE

Makita 9237C

The original page identifies this as its 3,500-RPM handheld example.

HANDHELD EXAMPLE

Makita GA7021

The original page identifies this as its 6,000-RPM example for experienced operators.

BENCHTOP EXAMPLE

POWERTEC benchtop polisher

The original page lists this as a benchtop example for compatible 8-inch airway wheels.

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. The original page's example respirator link is retained here without making a suitability guarantee.

COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES

Compound is also available by the drum

The original product page describes a typical drum as approximately 225 bars and roughly 600–750 pounds, with count and weight varying by formula. Email sales@maverickabrasives.com for current commercial pricing, formula availability, and freight details.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Download the retained compound-bar SDS documents

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. The return policy provides a 30-day window for eligible unused items in original condition and packaging. Restrictions and return-shipping costs apply.

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