The Compound Showdown Of A Lifetime!!! Sonax Cut Max VS 3D ACA 500 VS Wizards VS 3D AAT 501

[@apexdetail85]

If and when I test a compound that can compare and compete with any of these ...I will showcase them. Time to move on to finish polishes, One steps, and medium cut compounds.

[@2010stoof]

that's awesome that you're planning on doing the same type of comparisons with the medium, finish and all in ones!!! i have the jescar all in one but havent taken it for a spin yet. supposed to cut like a compound, finish like their micro polish and if i understand correctly leave behind power lock +!!! but i cant wait for the next sets of series and thank you for this. youre doing all this so we all dont have to. and thats great!!! keep up the great work brian!!!

[@John-xk7uo]

How about 105 and 205 from Meguiar

[@2010stoof]

@@John-xk7uo 105 was a part of this series he just finished it's a compound

[@amazed6161]

great cant wait for Finish Polishes video..

[@subrotoxing8214]

one step is going to be interesting would love to see hd speed vs griots finishing sealant

[@Tops1212]

You the man Brian. Thanks for enlightening everyone, who takes the time to watch your work.

[@jdisdetermined]

I lost it when I saw the little spinning podiums you have the bottles sitting on. I mean who else but Brian would do that for us? So awesome! Thank you! 👍👌✌ Edited to remove four letter word, I think it cost me a ❤.. 😔

[@owensteele1274]

I just noticed that as well. Never seen it before and a very neat little touch. That's what you see when you follow the series to the podium at the end lolz.

[@stevemclean5787]

I can't thank you enough for doing this series. It saved me so much time and money. 90% of my business is daily drivers of all makes and models. From Fiestas to Escalades and Sonatas to Lexus. More often than not, they haven't been corrected in a long time, if ever. I use a lot of heavy cut compound as a result. My go to's are 3D 501 and Menz FG400. Nice to learn there's an even more abrasive compound in the 3D line that still finishes down so well and is reasonably priced. Thanks again for your efforts and sharing your knowledge. I have learned more from you and Larry than any other sources of info combined! Would love to see you play with the new clear coat restorer some more in different situations.

[@ob1kdanny87]

Same here, tried many compounds and I just keep coming back to the SONAX because it gets it done right the first time!, great vid!

[@KWW0321]

Have you tried the aca500?! I was a cut max superfan but the aca500 is amazing as well!

[@soggybottomfarm2575]

But at that big of a price difference think I will stick with Sonax

[@KWW0321]

@@soggybottomfarm2575 aca 500 is $39.99

[@tecno8335]

@@KWW0321 And sonax is $18, amazing.

[@KWW0321]

@@tecno8335 I'm talking about the 32oz price.

[@groundcontrol6876]

We love you Brian!!! Love what you did with the spinning bottles in the podium, really original!

[@J1Z06]

THAT was COOL!!!!

[@VincentSmith_apk]

This style of test should be an industry standard! Awesome video

[@themogul5846]

_3D continually delivers absolutely brilliant products. Brian, thanks for another honest review!_

[@J1Z06]

Damn! This is The World Series of compound tests! Thank You for doing this test and recording it! So many good products out there. I like how You always use a basic orange pad! Keeping it simple and effective! Nice!!

[@douggreen980]

This is the one we have all been waiting for! Thx Brian for all of your advice and product reviews!.

[@juanjovillafana8954]

Excelente comparativa..... Saludos desde San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, México.

[@PumaM90]

Puebla 🤘

[@mikeyp2447]

I have the 3D one and ACA500 per your recommendation... couldn't be happier!👍🏻😁

[@KWW0321]

The aca 500 is amazing isnt it?! I'm on my 7th bottle since this video!

[@gabea.458]

I'm staring to feel like Brian watched a lot of Bob Barker on the Price is Right growing up with his "come on down" and "showcases". Thanks Brian, been considering the the ACA and Cutmax. I already have Perfect Finish and like it so maybe as I add a more aggressive compound I'll stick to the Sonax line. It's a bit cheaper too like you said. Whenever I run out which will probably be some time maybe I'll give 3D a try so I don't horde products

[@truthwarrior1601]

Excellent Series, the Best!! Gotta Love the Spinning Displays :-)

[@fulltiltboogie5321]

Hey Brian, just from my personal trial and error experience on my black 2011 grand sport vette!! So maybe different (harder/softer) clear coat... the absolute best results I have had so far.. I really love the 3D aat 501 with my rotary and wool pad.. (501 deminishes beautifully and only leaves holograms) and finish with aat 502 with orbital and foam pad... again the best results I have tried on this particular vehicle and clear!

[@m-ok-6379]

These comparison videos rock.

[@fastmonaro05]

Excellent test. I personally have used the Car Pro Clear cut, FG400, The Last Cut and a Aussie derived brand Concours Precision made in Melbourne. I believe the Clear cut was the best cut using Car Pro Demi pads 2000 which really levelled the bad orange peel on the hard clear coat I have. Also FG400 was great with Demi pads and had better finish. Tried The last Cut and the finish is flawless. Takes longer to work and cut though. We cannot get Sonax here. We can Angelwax and maybe 3D for a more aggressive cut. I notice you stuck with a foam pad. Do you believe if you used a microfiber like URO or a new age wool pad there would have been more cut achieved with each polish???? I have seen on several good detailer channels pad selection can make a substantial difference. I know sticking to the foam pad gave a non bias result. Anyway I learnt a fair bit from these videos. Thanks for the time and effort, there is a lot of time spent making these plus editing. Cheers mate.

[@vtecaccord96]

I have the sonax cutmax but I currently use the 3D HD Speed and have recieved great correction results from that. Might grab that 3D ACA.

[@apexdetail85]

3D HD Cut Plus is also another great option.

[@TripleGAutoDetailing]

Thanks Brian. You expertise is a marketers nightmare. If you say a product is quality then end of story. Cant believe you don't have a million subscribers. Currently working with AAT 501. Wipe off has been sort of challenging and clogging up my towels quickly... 🤔

[@georgekirby3361]

Agreed, Great comparison. Thanks Brian.

[@fernandovaldes8834]

Thanks Bryan I love your videos!! I currently use sonax cutmax and perfect finish and I love it!! Every time I wonder about some product or situation I ask myself WWBD (what would Bryan do?) haha and in some cases I've even found answers in your old videos, I've detailed cars for over 8 years and I've learned more in two years years watching your videos than in 6 years of practice!! Just out of curiosity, where would you rank 3m perfect it ex? I've been thinking in the sonax cc36 ceramic coating, do you have knowledge about it?

[@marcuscassius312]

I got 3D ACA and 3D ONE because of your expertise and I will be using ANGELWAX too that I love.

[@widowmakerofkillerelite-el6317]

Greetings from the UK, ive enjoyed soaking up the information from your tuition videos so just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to do them. Im a total Noob when it comes to detailing and only really taken it up since the lock-down, i spent a bomb on machines compounds polishes pads sprays towels bla bla bla and trying all these products on my 2009 Mercedes E class, a few things i have learned over the past few weeks, DA`s and Rotary`s are nothing to be afraid of providing you have common sense, hex logic pads and lake country foam cutting pads are useless in my hands as i constantly obliterate them, they come unglued from the backing plate and throw out bits of foam and just give up, no heat from my machine or the paint, they are just cheap. The lake country micro fibre cutting pad is indestructable, meguiars ultimate compound has been meh, Menzerna hc400 has been ok but kinda meh, so after watching this ive ordered some sonax cutmax. My mercedes top coat is like concrete and i now think that this sonax with the micro fibre pad is the way to go, for me. Now to go through your vids to choose the best finishing polish for my hard top coat.

[@Ike-yq3gf]

Wooo! Been waiting for this one! Thank you, and good job.

[@MikeGDetailing]

Great showdown. Cut Max and ACA 500 are indeed good compounds. I also agree that ACA 500 can be difficult on softer paints and Cut Max is consistent regardless of the paint. Can't go wrong with either one. Perhaps Americana Global's new 1000 compound would be one to look into for a test.

[@apexdetail85]

I tested the old formula...that wasnt bad. I will get to the new formula.

[@hi-definitionautodetailing3423]

I agree with you. The ACA 500 is the best. One I didn't see you test was the OPT Hyper Compound. It does a great job also. Just wondering what you thought of it. Anyway great job I always enjoy your videos. I have done paint correction & paint enhancement for almost 40 yrs. and I must say you and Scott Bley are my favorite for videos. Happy detailing.

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

Great video as always. Doing some videos with a detailer close to me.

[@originalalienone]

GREAT video. I'm gearing up to do this to my car in the next couple of weeks, and I've been voraciously consuming a lot of videos on how to do it properly. One question. Do you have any videos yourself or knowledge of any videos that talk about how to guide the polisher around curves or over folds/lines in a car's design? It seems most polishing videos out there always do it on a completely flat panel, and I'd like to see techniques used for traveling paths that aren't completely flat when polishing. Thanks!

[@muhammadsuleman2903]

Thanks 🙏 Brian for another excellent video. Could the results be slightly different if you would have started from 800grit end first and finished at the same?

[@g.dubyou6263]

I thought about this in the last video that I watched. If the compound has diminishing abrasives, it would lose some of its cutting power by the time you get to the 800, no?

[@apexdetail85]

That is why I spread fresh compound throughout the test area before starting the run from one end to another.

[@alanwallace3253]

Just bought some 3D for an all in one to try on a car next week, have bounced around but keep gravitating to Sonax products. Cut max worked well on some hard paint with hard water burned into the clear coat. Question: What changes in cut products if any for a rotary ?

[@apexdetail85]

The cut is faster...much faster.

[@jediali221]

Great work. Got to say I am no expert but know taking your advice I am giving myself a chance to do my best.

[@anonymousnoname]

Have you posted a more recent comparison? I've been searching, and haven't found one yet.

[@danlc95]

Nice work, Brian! Yeah, dyslexia sucks. I couldn't tell you how many times I meaawd things up writing or typing my numbers out of sequence. My teachers were baffled because I could compute advanced math equations, but would always fail tests because I wrote the number out of sequence. Years ago my boss told me she had to reconcile numerous charges that were over charged. Instead of charging $135, I'd charge $531. Consistently...

[@apexdetail85]

It is very expensive to try and correct the problem....especially in my area.

[@johncover3103]

Some how some way I missed this showdown! I am in the super fan category of Cutmax and Perfect finish... that said Ive also been in love with 3d one and speed. Im going to have to try some 3d 500 just to quell my curiosity! Lol. Great video! Thx!

[@blingbling5o4]

Have you use. P&S EGO Compound with Wool pad.. it works great for me.

[@kylerumsey8942]

Griots fast correcting cream works really well for me . But I have never tried any of these. May give sonax a try.

[@willdamian1066]

Best compound or polisher for an old school truck? Need to bring back Some shine

[@TheMstwntdLMSV123]

Fantastic video! Do you still use the Griots BOSS fast correcting cream? I've had good success with the "normal" correcting cream as a one-step.

[@joshuadavis1121]

Loved the comparison! subscribing! Going for the ACA 500!

[@user-un5my5bw4j]

I use 3D #500 as well and the #520 polish for a two step system on my vehicles. On the rifles i build for people i use matrix clear coat or big brians glamour clear on the stocks i make, on those i use meguires ultimate compound followed by ultimate polish, and do a third step with formula1 scratch out. Those two systems work good for me

[@Okie-Tom]

Very nice job comparing the top compounds. I personally like and use the Wizards. It always does a great job for me. What is the cleaner you used to clean your pad? Thanks, Tom

[@apexdetail85]

McKees....www.amazon.com/McKees-37-MK37-5000-Polishing-Cleaner/dp/B01IB1670G/ref=sr_1_16?camp=1789&creative=9325&keywords=pad+cleaner&linkCode=ur2&linkId=39af640d789c28f4dfec646e26065b8e&qid=1557834343&s=automotive&sr=1-16

[@DagoRuiz]

Great comparison video Brian. Thank you buddy!

[@davidvelez6923]

I see the Malco tru-cut and Heavy Cut.... And was unbeliable...

[@stavrosprokopiou7330]

Gyeon's compound+ should be on the top of your list!

[@dimmacommunication]

Italian here , Where I live/buy products ACA 500 is 60-65 for 32 OZ ,sonax is 45 for 34 OZ,what do you suggest ? How is the finish comparing 500 vs cutmax ?

[@vincelaguno431]

Great job Brian as always. You can't go wrong with either of the top 2 mentioned. I was wondering if you have tried any of the compounds outside in warm sun & which worked best? It would be great to know if there are mobile detailers out there that need a compound to perform in that environment. Thanks for sharing your talent & knowledge with everyone, it's helped me alot. Great job once again.

[@apexdetail85]

I would have to go to the Sonax line for use in direct sunlight

[@richardseem7948]

true master piece good friend .long time coming 4 this.well worth it.as always u never disappoint good friend 🍻🍻

[@theplatinumcaraudio]

How old was that paint? Most of what I do is fresh. I've been using 3d AAT 501 and it does pretty good but have been thinking about the ACA500. I'd also like to see it done where all the texture was cut out instead just a little on the surface.

[@gsickavish29]

What do u think would be best for gel coat?

[@brooks.5849]

Thank you for the dedication and hard work.

[@MrRudyc]

Great! (as always) Brian, can you share with us how you determine a soft vs Hard Clear coat vehicle please? I own a 2007 MB SL 550. Am I to assume this is a hard clear coat.

[@EK99_00]

What pad would you recommend using with the sonax on a Rupes DA?

[@jtcber]

In a normal life situation, what will produce a scratch as deep as a 800 grit sandpaper would? Looks like all these compound don't leave a haze on the surface and therefore a polishing compound won't be needed?

[@hazmieca]

No Koch Cheme H8? Where will it stands on your rank?

[@matiusteddyc.856]

Hi Brian, what liquid you use to spray clean the pad between each use?

[@drzflyest4]

Where would you place the last cut?

[@lillao1]

I use Meg's and 3D as well. However, have you tried CSI? I've seen it a lot on a Detailing/autobody page. If not, there's another product to test!

[@jarvis2101]

Have you tried any Shine Supply products?

[@AmirAbdullah]

I would’ve like to see the Koch Chemie H9 in this comparison.

[@g.dubyou6263]

Warning to people using headphones, turn the volume way down @ 8:55. Great video, Brian. Looking forward to getting some Sonax Cut Max to try out. Right now Im using the Griots B.O.S.S. on my Stingray, it doesnt have a lot of bite with an orange pad. I need to get some microfiber pads and some Sonax CM.

[@apexdetail85]

If BOSS is working for you ...stick with it. It stood up well to these top compounds.

[@g.dubyou6263]

Apex Detail I’m having a hard time getting it to cut, at all. And now I’ve seen a few of your videos commenting on how ridiculously difficult the clear is on these cars. I was surprised when I put my Torx 22D with orange pad, on a spot, where there were a few love marks. I worked 2 passes, and it acted like a black pad with a jeweling polish. It didn’t remove anything. I’m the second owner, and from me trying a few different methods on it, and getting zero results, I may also be working with a coating by the way this car beads water when I’ve put nothing on the paint. But it’s hard to tell.

[@waqasrafiq89]

Just a thought here Brian, what if you start your cutting from the 800 grit marks? I just feel like by the time you get down to the 800 grit section from the 2500 grit section, maybe some of the abrasives have broken down?? Just a thought

[@GeneG-wk2mz]

Which brand compound will get threw the 800 gritt ?

[@pwrshots]

you mention soft / hard clear coat by different manufacturers. can you share with us the manufacturers on the test panels? GM Ford etc. Great comparisons as always.

[@taterd01]

I like to use Griots FCC and 3D One at a 50/50 ratio.. not super aggressive but i get good cut and great finish..

[@shamilbasayev99]

Can u help me what is a50/50 means

[@GrecoLoscar]

Like always exelent video's Thanks Bryant 👍🏼

[@CarlosSilva-cn1bc]

You convinced me and I went today to buy the Sonax Cut Max. Great video also great product!!

[@josemsm]

Hey how about any of the compounds body shops use like 3m, presta, transtar

[@apexdetail85]

Very dusty and do not finish down quite as well.

[@mattslaymaker3717]

Brian can you or somebody else help me in determining how you tell if you have a soft or hard clearcoat or paint for that matter...thanks

[@apexdetail85]

You can practically correct soft clear with a cleaner polish. Always start with the least aggressive method and chemicals first.

[@rileymicheal08]

What brand polisher and pad are you using?

[@sylvainmarier4818]

In general Brian, what you suggest if we don’t have a higher quality compound and have deeper scratch like the 800 grid ? a second or third pass or a more agressive pad ?

[@apexdetail85]

Absolutely.

[@nicksdragon6929]

How does the Rupes Blue DA Coarse compare to these?

[@60trickpa]

Hi Brian, I have a question but nor about the video. I have a Porter Cable 7424 polisher using lake county microfiber pads cutting & polish with Angelwax Redemption & perfect polish. I not sure what I am doing wrong when I put the polisher to the car surface running at 3 1/2 the pad does not rotate, I get the oscillation . I have to hold the machine up off the surface to get any rotation of the pad. Is this normal or do I need to practice more. Thank you Brian for the great videos and all the time and work you put in to making them.

[@kenbalbari3229]

You may need to prime the pads more. Microfiber can be really grabby if not thoroughly primed. I had the same problem with the urofiber pad Brian likes, had more success using Lake Country foam pads. Really need to try the microfiber again in the future with more product, now that I know where I went wrong there.

[@apexdetail85]

Prime the pad and go to speed 4.5 Try that and let me know. The PC has less power than the MS polishers.

[@60trickpa]

@@apexdetail85 Thank you Brian I will try that next time. I did prime the pads with a pad primer and the compound. I only used the lower speed of 2.5 to 3 It will be awhile till I polish the cars again I am just doing my own cars.

[@jamesbiedlar590]

I was wondering when you would get to this.

[@paulhamilton6013]

love your videos Brian, cant get some of your products here in the UK, sonax and angelwax are great products, would love to hear your thoughts on Koch H9 (if you can get it) best on wool, also great on a scholls purple foam pad which i think are the same as the 3D purple pads.

[@rollsroyce0824]

3m perfect it deserves a top spot . Along with meguiars paint correction compound

[@juansandoval1707]

What do you recommend I use to prime my foam pads before polishing and how moist should they be?

[@apexdetail85]

Any quick detailer would do. All you want is a little lubrication.

[@KWW0321]

On my 7th 32oz bottle of aca500 since this video, absolutely loving this stuff!

[@matttopp5515]

What the most situation do you use of aca500? And team up with which pads?

[@KWW0321]

@@matttopp5515 I use it for moderate defect removal or for sanding mark removal. I use either on the rotary with lake country purple foamed wool or their low lint wool and with the DA microfiber cutting pad.

[@tariks6167]

I work most of the time with German cars and 90% of the time I use Sonax Cutmax

[@jc-de9sm]

what clay bar did u use before compounding.

[@LeonidasRod]

Brian, does Meguiars m100 deserve to be in this mix?

[@alexisamtosta]

Nice video. These are brands I really want to work with. I found a place here in Madeira, Portugal selling Sonax Perfect Finnish but 32oz (1ltr) was almost 60€ with 25%discount. I found a shop selling the 3D ONE for 44€ a 32oz bottle.

[@tonymattisson6158]

Awesome video Brian! Don't know if you have used any of the Tac System polishes. I would like to see Tac System Refinish Ultra Plus which is their newest heavy cut compound. They testing out some new ways to mill down the aluminum oxide abrasives. I have tested the compound before the Refinish Ultra Plus which is called Refinish Ultra. It has a great cut and also finishes very good. Would be very interesting to hear your thoughts about Tac System Refinish Ultra Plus. In Sweden we has access to Scholl S1 Black SS. Which is for the harder clearcoats like BMW and MB and VW. It's hard to get in some countries and think it's out to be tested here or something. But Scholl S2 Black SS or Shock2Cut would also have been nice to see how they does on your testing. But mostly Tac System Refinish Ultra Plus and their attempt to find new abrasive technology that cuts and finishing extremly effective. Thanks for shareing your work Brian! Looking forward to future videos about medium cut polishes and finishing polishes. One step is that going to be those with protection in them or like 3D One and Scholl S20 Black SS?

[@apexdetail85]

I have some. I love TAC...videos on the way.

[@tonymattisson6158]

@@apexdetail85 awesome and really looking forward to that video. I like Tac too as they release some inventive products once and a while. An example is their ceramic coating Tac System UHS. It's almost like a pro offering but released to the consumer. What some might not know about is that they manufactures their own stuff. Before they released their own products it's says they made most of the products for Carpro and others. So they have a lot of experience with the development of detailing products. Interesting company for sure. Since I don't have so much to compare to it's going to be interesting to hear what you think about Tac System polishes.

[@tannersheets7505]

What happen to AW Resurrection?

[@stevejames1563]

A regular rotary buffer on heavier compounds , then rotary last might give better results .

[@GrecoLoscar]

Hi Brian, I would like to see a video of all the scales you have to see what are your favorite products

[@satterfielddetailing7119]

What about Meguiars 101? I’ve heard it is a strong cut but have not yet tried it out for myself. How does it stack up to the ACA 500? Thanks.

[@apexdetail85]

I have no luck with 101...dusts way too much. They do have some good polishes...but the compounds I stay away from.

[@satterfielddetailing7119]

Apex Detail Ok. Thank you so much!

[@AAhshitsun]

What compound would you recommend for fresh painted soft clear? I just started at a custom car shop after detailing daily drivers for years. Everything that I know has gone out the window except for maybe technique. I always use DAs after I go to 1000 grit I start at 1500 with the DA but I can’t use the DAs on this stuff because I get pigtails everywhere.

[@bigd9848]

3D ACA is a great product with excellent results ✊I never heard of Wizard 🧙‍♂️ but it’s ok 👍🏻 great comparison Thanks Brian ✊

[@apexdetail85]

Neither did I until this series...not bad.

[@kikcodog]

Would have been nice to have done some gloss readings to get a sense of which finished the best.

[@apexdetail85]

I will use that in the one step polish series.

[@izkytama]

Many People always said M105 but for me cutmax a bit superior.. maybe u can test about M100, need super cut compound for super hard paint or test for sticky paint like honda 😅

[@opassen]

How do you know if a clearcoat is soft or hard?

[@lifeofbrian9511]

Wizards competing with the big boys!

[@prestigemechanical3600]

Wizards MC top notch from Minnesota !

[@loopsandthreads5028]

I use Cut Max, Cut and Finish, and Perfect Finish.

[@vegascane3502]

Perfect Finish works great on my 911 as a one step polish since it's a softer paint.

[@kristips4694]

With DA or Rotary?

[@whitepearlautodetailing4745]

I don't how you got the result of Sonax CutMax to the top. For me as an example I tested CutMax with all heavy and medium pads on more than 50 cars. I never got good results so what I am doing is that am switching to deferant compound and completing the car. One area of success to Sonax CutMax is for chrome & wheels polishing. My favorite compound which gives me a lot of success in my work is: Menzerna 400, Rupes Coars & MEGUIARS 105. I am going to to test Koch 801 heavy cut compound very soon some Detailers says it is the best.

[@ramautodetailing2011]

Off sure cutmax for me is the best and sonax ultimate compound is awesome

[@ereed42]

Thumb up 5 stars great review

[@Vanguardcredit]

Newbie here.... I was under the impression Jescar was like the best :o

[@beyondthedetails]

They are one of the best

[@chadj8349]

Great 👍 comparison!

[@KWW0321]

What was it about Jescars compound the kept it off the list? I love sonax but jescar has been really impressing me lately. I've been on a rotary run the past few months and for me jescar has been a blast to work with. I agree totally with your opinion, just curious about jescar.

[@DrewDiddy7703]

KW0311 USMC He did do a Jescar video, and it Is on the honorable mention list, mentioned in this video Also. I actually like it better than Cutmax on my soft white Subaru paint.

[@lifeofbrian9511]

He liked it... just didnt measure up to 3d or Sonax.