what's the difference between polishing compound and rubbing compound?

 

Rubbing compound (often red) is more aggressive than polishing compound (often white).

If the "rub" we're talking about here is almost transparent or very thin, the polishes in a good carnauba cleaner wax should do the job quickly and easily... start with least aggressive first... I sometimes forget that rule... then try a scratch remover or polishing compound if necessary.

If the "rub" is thick, like one might get if you hit a painted pole at a drive-thru, a clay bar should take care of it, or a scratch remover, or a polishing compound... then follow with a wax.

Rubbing compound is probably a little too aggressive for today's paints, but I remember I used it a lot back in the old days when we had thick layers of paint without any clearcoat worries.