Professional correction compounds and polishes engineered for high-volume shops. Silicone-free, filler-free, and formulated to perform on every panel that rolls in.
Silicone-Free
Safe in fresh paint environments
No Fillers
True paint correction results that don't dye-back
Water-Based
True paint correction results that don't dye-back
Made in the USA
Manufactured domestically, quality controlled in-house
Prop 65 Compliant
Manufactured domestically, quality controlled in-house
Whether you are cutting through fresh 1000-grit sanding marks or chasing out holograms left by a wool pad, 3D's ACA and AAT lines give you a purpose-built product for every correction scenario in the shop. These are not consumer compounds with a "Pro" label. They are body shop safe from the chemistry up, because a fish-eye from silicone contamination costs you more than a bottle ever will.
Two Technologies. One Purpose: True Paint Correction
The 3D professional body shop line is built on two proprietary abrasive platforms: ACA and AAT. Understanding the difference between them isn't just academic. It determines which product you reach for based on the panel in front of you.
Alpha Ceramica Alumina (ACA)
ACA 500 · ACA 510 · ACA 520
Product Highlights:
● Fastest cutting speed in the 3D lineup
● Engineered for hard clearcoats and ceramic-coated surfaces
● Lower surface temperatures vs. conventional compounds
● Zero dusting keeps the bay clean
● Long buffing cycle, doesn't dry out mid-panel
ACA is 3D's highest-performance abrasive system, built for maximum correction speed on hard, modern clearcoats. The ceramic component actively counters the heat generated by the alumina, so you get faster cuts at lower surface temperatures with less burn-through risk. It is the technology behind 3D's most aggressive body shop compounds.
Advanced Abrasive Technology (AAT)
AAT 501 · AAT 502 · AAT 505
Product Highlights:
● Adaptive across soft and hard paint types
● Nano-abrasive finish, finer surface left behind per step
● Hologram-free results with correct pad selection
● No fillers, no dye-back on dark colors
● Body shop safe, silicone-free, water-based
AAT products are engineered so the abrasive powder and the liquid carrier work together, not independently. That synergy makes AAT adaptive across different paint hardnesses, cutting efficiently on soft clears without over-cutting and on hard clears without stalling. The result is a nano-abrasive finish that reduces the steps needed to reach hologram-free results.
Which Product Do You Need?
Start with your defect. End with the right product. Not sure? Keep scrolling to each product card below which will walk you through the exact scenarios, pad combinations, and machine settings for every situation.
| Defect / Situation | Grit Level | Recommended Product | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy sanding marks, wool-first workflow | 1500-grit or finer | ACA 500 | ACA |
| Maximum cut on hard clears | 1000-grit or finer | ACA 510 | ACA |
| Heavy sanding marks, DA or rotary | 2000-grit or finer | AAT 501 | AAT |
| Serious scratches, no sanding | None | AAT 501 | AAT |
| Hologram and swirl removal after wool | None | ACA 520 / AAT 502 | ACA / AAT |
| Light imperfections, no sanding | None | AAT 505 | AAT |
| Light correction and UV protection in one pass | None | AAT 505 | AAT |
| One product, multiple defect levels | Light (3000-5000 grit) | 3D ONE | Ceramic Alumina |
| Correct, polish, and protect in one step | None | 3D SPEED | Ceramic Alumina |
ACA 510 | Maximum Cut
The hardest-working compound in the lineup. Built for hard clearcoats, built for speed.
ACA 510 is 3D's most aggressive body shop compound. Ceramic alumina abrasives cut hard clearcoats faster than conventional compounds while keeping surface temps significantly lower. Reach for it when the panel needs maximum material removal after wet sanding.
What It Corrects:
● Sanding marks from 1000-grit and finer
● Heavy oxidation, deep swirl marks, serious paint defects
● Prepares surface for the ACA 520 finishing step
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Ensure surface is cool, clean, and shaded
● Apply to wool or foam cutting pad, break in at slow speed for 20 seconds
● Increase to working speed with overlapping passes
● Wipe clean and inspect under lighting
● Always follow any wool step with a foam polish step to remove holograms
When To Use It:
● Fresh repaint, hard clear, sanded to 1000-grit: Yellow Wool on a rotary as the first correction step
● Deep spot repair after sanding to 1000-grit: White Foam before transitioning to ACA 520
● Modern vehicles with factory ceramic clearcoats that defeat conventional compounds
ACA 510 Premium Rubbing Compound
ACA 510 Premium Rubbing Compound
Regular price
From $29.99
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From $29.99
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ACA 500 X-Tra Cut Compound
ACA 500 X-Tra Cut Compound
Regular price
From $24.99
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From $24.99
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ACA 500 | Wool Optimized
Maximum cutting power with wool pads. The wool specialist for rotary-first shops.
ACA 500 is formulated to work in synergy with wool pad fibers, combining the mechanical action of the fibers with ceramic alumina abrasives for two simultaneous cutting mechanisms. When your workflow starts with wool on a rotary, this is the faster, more efficient call.
What It Corrects:
● Sanding marks from 1500-grit and finer
● Deep scratches, heavy oxidation, and serious swirl marks
● Pre-polishing prep after wet sanding
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Apply to wool or foam cutting pad, break in at slow speed for 15-20 seconds
● Increase to medium working speed with overlapping passes
● Keep pad flat and avoid edge pressure
● Wipe clean and inspect before proceeding to ACA 520
● Always follow wool steps with a foam polish step to remove holograms
When To Use It:
● Post-wet-sand at 1500-grit: dual abrasive action of wool plus ACA cuts faster than foam alone
● Heavy swirl correction, no sanding needed: Dark Purple Foam on a DA polisher
● Severely oxidized single-stage paint before a finishing step
ACA 520 | Body Shop Finishing
Hologram-free finishing polish. The natural follow-up to ACA 500 or ACA 510.
ACA 520 refines the surface to a hologram-free, glass-like finish using ultra-fine ceramic alumina abrasives. Filler-free formula means no dye-back on dark colors and no temporary shimmer that disappears in sunlight.
What It Corrects:
● Holograms and swirl marks left from wool pad or compound steps
● Light imperfections, fine scratches, and surface haze
● Refines any ACA compound step to final finish quality
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Complete all compounding steps first
● Attach foam polishing or finishing pad
● Apply ACA 520 and work in overlapping passes until holograms disappear
● Wipe clean with a fresh microfiber
● Inspect under LED light at 45 degrees before sign-off
When To Use It:
● After any ACA compound step: the standard two-step ACA finish
● Light swirl and wash scratch correction with no sanding required
● After any wool step: removes holograms before the vehicle leaves the bay
ACA 520 Finishing Polish
ACA 520 Finishing Polish
Regular price
From $29.99
Sale price
From $29.99
Regular price
Unit price
per
AAT 501 Cutting Compound
AAT 501 Cutting Compound
Regular price
From $24.99
Sale price
From $24.99
Regular price
Unit price
per
AAT 501 | Pro Cut
Adaptive cutting compound. Works with wool or foam across any paint hardness.
AAT 501 cuts through 2000-grit and finer sanding marks using an abrasive synergy that adapts to paint hardness as it works. Fewer over-cut risks regardless of whether the clear is hard or soft.
What It Corrects:
● Sanding marks from 2000-grit and finer
● Heavy scratches, deep oxidation, and serious paint defects
● Prepares surface for the AAT 502 finishing step
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Apply to pad, break in at slow speed across a 2x2 area
● Increase to working speed with overlapping passes
● Wipe residue with a clean microfiber
● Always follow wool steps with a foam polish step
● Inspect under lighting before proceeding to AAT 502
When To Use It:
● Post 2000-grit wet sand: adaptive abrasive cuts fast without over-cutting on softer clears
● Heavy swirl and scratch correction, no sanding needed: Dark Purple Foam on a DA
● High-volume shop use: low-dust formula, extended working time per panel
AAT 502 | Hologram-Free Finish
Nano-abrasive finishing polish. No holograms. No fillers. The standard follow-up to AAT 501.
AAT 502 delivers a hologram-free, glass-like finish using nano-abrasives and Adaptive Abrasive Technology. Zero fillers means zero dye-back. What you see under shop lighting is exactly what the customer sees outside.
What It Corrects:
● Holograms and swirl marks from wool pads or cutting compounds
● Fine scratches, haze, and polish trails
● Final mirror-level refinement before coating or protection
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Complete all compounding steps first
● Set DA to speed 3-4 or rotary to 600-1200 RPM
● Work a 2x2 area in slow, overlapping passes with flat pad pressure
● Remove residue with a clean microfiber
● Inspect under lighting, surface should be hologram-free
When To Use It:
● Two-step AAT system: AAT 501 compound followed by AAT 502 plus Black Foam
● After any wool correction step: full hologram removal before inspection or coating
● Dark color vehicles: filler-free formula means the finish is exactly what it looks like
AAT 502 Finishing Polish
AAT 502 Finishing Polish
Regular price
From $24.99
Sale price
From $24.99
Regular price
Unit price
per
AAT 505 Correction Glaze
AAT 505 Correction Glaze
Regular price
From $24.99
Sale price
From $24.99
Regular price
Unit price
per
AAT 505 | Correct and Protect | All-in-One
Correction, gloss, and Montan Wax protection in one pass. Body shop safe.
AAT 505 corrects light imperfections, polishes to a high gloss, and seals the finish with Montan Wax in a single step. Montan Wax is a plant-derived, silicone-free wax that is completely safe on fresh or recently painted surfaces, with no fish-eye risk.
What It Corrects:
● Light imperfections, ultra-fine swirl marks, fine scratches, and surface haze
● Towel marks, light marring, and handling scratches from new paint delivery
● Will not correct sanding marks or heavy defects
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Start on a clean, cool, decontaminated surface
● Prime pad before first pass to prevent product sling
● Spread at low speed, then increase to working speed in overlapping passes
● Product will not dust or dry on the panel, extended working window
● Wipe clean with a fresh microfiber
When To Use It:
● Pre-delivery prep: removes handling marks and applies UV protection in one step
● Panel blending: corrects haze on cured panels to match freshly painted gloss
● Light correction days: one product handles correction, polish, and protection together
3D ONE | Compound and Polish | One Step
One product. One step. True paint correction on any paint type.
3D ONE cuts like a compound and finishes like a polish from a single bottle. Your pad choice controls the aggressiveness entirely, making ONE adaptable across hard, medium, and soft paint without switching products.
What It Corrects:
● Moderate to heavy swirl marks, scratches, water spots, and oxidation
● Very light sanding marks from 3000 to 5000-grit
● Multiple defect types across all paint hardnesses
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Choose your pad based on defect level
● Apply ONE, spread at slow speed, then increase to working speed
● Work overlapping passes until product becomes clear
● Wipe clean with a microfiber and inspect
● Switch to a finer pad and repeat if further refinement is needed
When To Use It:
● Light post-sand at 3000-5000 grit: ONE with White Foam corrects and refines in one pass
● Mixed-damage fleet: one bottle, different pad per panel, no product switching
● Pre-coating prep on moderately damaged paint: correct and refine together
3D SPEED | Compound, Polish and Wax | 3-in-1
Correct and protect in one pass. The fastest turnaround tool in the shop.
3D SPEED compounds, polishes, and seals with Montan Wax in a single buffing session. Foam pads only. Not for use before painting or panel repair. Use on completed vehicles going to delivery.
What It Corrects:
● Light to moderate swirl marks, scratches, water spots, and oxidation
● Surface haze and contamination
● Also effective on gelcoat, plastic trim, and glass for light water spotting
How to Use It (Step-by-Step):
● Start on a clean, cool, decontaminated surface and select pad based on defect level
● Spread at slow speed first, then increase to working speed in overlapping passes
● Allow to haze slightly, then wipe clean with a microfiber
● Wax protection is applied alongside correction, no additional step needed
When To Use It:
● Pre-delivery detail: correct light swirling, boost gloss, and apply protection in one step
● Dealer lot reconditioning: moderate swirls and fading handled in a single pass
● Customer wait vehicles: same-day, single-product result
Pad Guide: Match Your Pad to Your Goal
| Pad | Type | Aggression | Best With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Lambswool | Wool | Maximum | ACA 500, ACA 510, AAT 501 |
| White Lambswool | Wool | Heavy | ACA 500, ACA 510, AAT 501 |
| White Foam | Foam Cutting | Heavy | ACA 500, ACA 510, AAT 501, ONE |
| Dark Purple Foam | Foam Cutting | Medium-Heavy | All products |
| Light Purple Foam | Foam Polishing | Medium | ACA 520, AAT 502, AAT 505, ONE, SPEED |
| Black Foam | Foam Finishing | Light | ACA 520, AAT 502, AAT 505, ONE, SPEED |
Always follow a wool pad step with at least one foam pad step. Wool pads are excellent cutters but they leave holograms. ACA 520 or AAT 502 with a foam finishing pad eliminates them completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
