Quick Answer
Fixer is a medium-cut compound for correction, Reflect is an ultra-fine finishing polish for maximum gloss, Essence is a light finishing polish with a built-in SiO2 coating primer, and Essence PLUS is a zero-cut SiO2 gloss for paint that's already flawless. Heavy defects start with UltraCut.
CarPro makes some of the best polishes in detailing — and the names confuse almost everyone. Essence, Essence PLUS, Reflect, Fixer, plus the heavier UltraCut and ClearCut compounds. They are not interchangeable. Here's exactly what each one does and when to reach for it.
The CarPro Polishing Ladder
Think of paint correction as a ladder from heaviest cut to finest finish: UltraCut (extreme cut) → Fixer (medium, do-it-all) → Reflect (ultra-fine finishing) → Essence and Essence PLUS (gloss + coating prep). You move down the ladder until the paint is as clear as you want, then finish in a way that's ready to coat.
Most Versatile · Medium Cut
CARPRO Fixer Medium Cut Compound 1 Liter (34oz) — $41.79
A medium-cut compound that adapts to soft, medium, hard, or ceramic clear coats and finishes down to a near-perfect surface — often turning a two-step correction into one. The best single bottle for most cars.
Shop NowFixer is where most people should start. It corrects most everyday swirls and scratches in fewer passes, works with DA, rotary, or by hand, and finishes clean enough that you frequently don't need a separate polishing step.
Best Gloss · Finishing
CARPRO Reflect High Gloss Finishing Polish 1 Liter (34oz) — $42.99
An ultra-fine finishing polish that removes compounding haze and micro-marring to leave show-car reflections — the perfect step after a heavier compound and before coating.
Shop NowReflect is a pure finishing polish. After a cutting step it erases the fine haze and micro-marring that compounds leave behind, taking the paint to maximum clarity and gloss before you protect it.
Coating Prep · SiO2 Primer
CARPRO Essence: EXTREME Gloss Primer 1 Liter (34oz) — $69.99
A finishing polish with a built-in SiO2 primer — it removes light defects and lays a foundation that improves ceramic-coating bonding. The ideal final step before CQUARTZ, with standalone protection up to a year.
Shop NowEssence is the clever one: a light finishing polish and an SiO2 primer in one. It cleans up minor defects while priming the surface so your ceramic coating bonds better and lasts longer — and on its own it adds protection for up to a year.
Zero-Cut · New Paint
CARPRO Essence PLUS: Non-Abrasive Gloss Agent 1 Liter (34oz) — $69.99
A non-abrasive SiO2 gloss agent with no cutting action — for new or defect-free paint that just needs depth, clarity and a protection layer without risking any clear-coat removal.
Shop NowEssence PLUS is Essence with the cut removed. If your paint is new or already perfect, PLUS adds the same SiO2 gloss and protection with zero abrasion — no risk of thinning the clear coat.
Which One Do You Need?
| Product | Cut level | Use it when | Coating-ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| UltraCut | Heavy | Deep scratches, severe oxidation | After → finish |
| Fixer | Medium | General correction in fewer steps | Yes (finishes well) |
| Reflect | Ultra-fine | Remove haze after compounding | Yes |
| Essence | Very light + SiO2 | Final step before a ceramic coating | Yes (primes it) |
| Essence PLUS | Zero + SiO2 | New / defect-free paint | Yes |
Most DIY detailers are covered by Fixer + Reflect for correction, then Essence as the coating-prep step. Only reach for UltraCut when the defects are genuinely deep.
Heaviest Cut
CARPRO UltraCut Extreme Cut Compound 1 Liter (34oz) — $51.99
The most aggressive compound in the CarPro lineup for deep scratch and heavy oxidation removal — body-shop safe, and pairs with foam, microfiber or wool pads. Follow with Reflect or Essence to finish.
Shop NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need all of these?
No. Most people do great with Fixer for correction and Reflect to finish, then Essence if they're about to apply a ceramic coating. UltraCut is only for severe defects.
What's the difference between Essence and Essence PLUS?
Essence has a light cut plus an SiO2 primer, so it removes minor defects while prepping for coating. Essence PLUS has zero cut — it's pure SiO2 gloss for paint that's already flawless.
Can I apply a ceramic coating over Essence?
Yes — Essence is specifically designed to prime the surface for CQUARTZ and other CarPro coatings. See our guide on how to apply CarPro CQUARTZ.
Which pads should I use?
Run Fixer and UltraCut on cutting pads, and Reflect, Essence and Essence PLUS on soft finishing or polishing pads for the best gloss.
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