Getting a car polish and rubbing compound in a single product has manifold benefits. The rubbing compound works to remove the scratches from the surface. Whereas the polishing compounds counter other contaminating particles to bring back the sheen and lustre of your car.
Along with it, the buffing compounds for cars have an easy application. This enables users to repair their cars at home with little investment. Hence, opting for this option will also save them thousands of dollars they would’ve spent in repainting the entire panel.
Consequently, buying a compound with a polisher is the finest idea to wipe away all the defects and get a glossy glass-like surface. This in turn can increase the worth of your vehicle, as no one would appreciate the idea of buying a dull car having a damaged surface.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Polish and Rubbing Compound
Composition
The components making up a product can result in either upgrading or degrading your car’s surface. Some products work out best at offering the finishing services but after some time you encounter dullness of the surface. This is due to the presence of toxic components that stole the sleekness of the surface without letting you know.
Likewise, a compound containing silicone or other fillers will lead to the damaging to the surface. Hence, you will end up spending more to cover the resulting losses. However, you can prevent this all from happening by verifying whether there are any harsh ingredients in it or not.
Required Quantity
The nature of your job determines whether you want to buy a compound in bulk, or a small quantity would be sufficient. If you want to remove a small scratch from your car or buff it, buying the regular compounds would be more than enough.
Whereas, for the professional detailers working on multiple cars daily, the one available in bulk quantities will save you from the hassle of rushing to the market every day.
Method of Application
Some compounds and polishers can be applied readily by hands and a microfiber cloth. On the contrary, some of them demand using a buffing or compounding tool. Buying the one that requires minimum investment would be the best option.
Nevertheless, if you have the relevant tools for application, go with the one that works efficiently with them. But in case of unavailability, you can go with the simpler option allowing the application by hands.
Flaw Coverage
Choose a product depending upon the depth of scratches or intensity of damage you want to recover. Most of the rubbing compounds can remove surface-level scratches and blemishes. However, for deep scratches, buying the one powerful enough to penetrate through the paint surface would be desirable.
Versatility Offered
Some of the compounds are made dedicatedly to counter the flaws of particular colour surfaces or certain paint finishes. Inquiring first about their compatibility with your car’s paint would be important.
Whereas you can also find a smart formulation that can work for all types of surfaces regardless of their colours or coatings. Buying such compounds will save you from the hassle of searching for a product befitting your vehicle.
Cost
The cost is dictated considering several influencing aspects. The brand from where you are buying is one of such features. Although a reliable brand will cost more, buying from there will save you from unexpected loses. Therefore, we suggest you buy from a renowned brand trusted for manufacturing products with high-grade ingredients.
Other key factors are the quantity required, ease of application, plain vs hybrid composition etc.
The 7 Best Car Polish & Rubbing Compounds
1. 3D One – Rubbing Compound & Finishing Polish
No matter whether you are a professional detailer or love detailing your car, getting the results in the least possible resources is always the motive. The 3D One contains a mixture of compounds that can serve for both rubbing and polishing tasks. Hence, saving your effort as well as hard-earned money.
The abrasives used in the product are versatile. The compound switches its functioning depending upon the type of pad used. If you want to counter deep defects, apply 3D One by using a compounding pad. On contrary, to remove light scratches or to bring a glossy look, apply it with a polishing pad at a faster pace.
With the sealant protection, you are not going to lose the attained shine of your car soon. Moreover, 3D One can be wiped off easily which makes it less time-consuming. Plus, it has a coconut smell making your cleaning experience pleasant.
Pros
- Adopts nano-ceramic alumina technology
- Contains natural ingredients
- Lasts for long
- Single-step application
Cons
- The cutting power is average
2. Chemical Guys Scratch and Swirl Remover
Chemical Guys are trusted for producing reliable car detailing products, and this remover is no exception. The scratch remover comprises a powerful formula that vanishes the imperfections from the surface without causing any harm to it.
This scratch remover can counter swirls, water spots, scratches, oxidation and other contaminating compounds simultaneously in one application. Thus, offering you the features of cleaner, polisher or compound in a single product. Besides, the remover does not contain any harmful fillers, silicone or waxes, which makes it ideal for all surfaces.
However, to fetch the best result, you need to apply the remover by using a DA/rotary buffing machine. Although this might increase the application cost, the lustrous surface rendered by the remover is worth investing in.
Pros
- Efficiently removes all flaws
- Does not contain silicone, wax, or fillers
- Removes the paint’s dead surface
- Suitable for all car surfaces
Cons
- Requires application tools
3. 3M Perfect-It Rubbing Compound
One common problem encountered while rubbing or polishing is the hazy film left behind when the compound is removed. The 3M compound contains ingredients that do not leave any residual film after cleaning. While the added smooth-handling compounds enable you to remove the fine swirls and scratches without dusting.
As the viscosity of this rubbing compound is high, it holds efficiently on the pad causing the least possible mess to save your time and effort. The compound can serve its powerful cutting and finishing capabilities even under humid or high-temperature conditions.
Moreover, the 3D compound is available in various packaging sizes enabling the user to choose as per their need. You can have a single pack or a quart for casual detailing tasks. Whereas for workshops, the polish is available in gallons to last longer.
Pros
- Forms no residual film
- Performs in all weathers
- Fast-cutting capability
- No powdering
Cons
- Does not resists stains
4. Carfidant Ultimate Car Scratch Remover
Made of professional-grade ingredients, the Carfidant remover is best for those finding solutions to the swirls and scratches. No matter whether your car is light or dark-coloured, or it has a clear or multistage coat, this remover is safe to use in all cases. On application, the cutting compound in the remover works instantly to counter and vanish the scratches.
Instead of adding unnecessary additives, the manufacturers chose to add polishing compounds that extract the dirt particles and return you the sleekness of your car. Furthermore, the application of the Carfidant remover is quite simple. Thereby making it possible for even the newbies to repair their car paints without spending extra bucks at the workshop.
Pros
- Easy application
- Repair paint completely
- Suitable for all car paints
- High-grade ingredients
Cons
- The glossy finish does not last for long
5. Griot’s Garage Complete Compound
The micro-abrasives contained in the Griot’s Garage compound are not harsh to the surface. The smart composition with no fillers works effectively in drawing out the scratches, oxidation, water spots and all other flaws. Due to its safe composition, the compound is suitable for all vehicles regardless of paint finishes.
You can apply the compound both by hands or an orbital. While wiping it away does not require gallons of water or drying for hours. Just rub the surface with a microfiber cloth and you are all set to welcome the glossy shine of your car. Proceed by applying a carnauba wax or sealant. By doing so, you will enhance as well as protect the attained glow of the surface for long.
Pros
- Removes surface flaws efficiently
- Contains no fillers
- Produces nearly no dust
- Wipes away easily
Cons
- Not good for deep scratches
6. Turtle Wax Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover
With time, the glossy surface of your car conceals behind layers of dirt and dust. To counter this, Turtle Wax has formulated this heavy-duty compound that restores the sheen of worn-out surfaces. The wax can pull out stains, oxidation, dullness or scratches no matter how old they are.
To ensure the wax is not harsh to surfaces, it is strictly composed of non-scratching ingredients. Hence, the users can apply it to all paint finishes without any fear of burning the paint of their car. For mild scratches or blemishes, the wax can be applied simply by hand. However, for deep scratches, using appropriate tools would be best to get the desired results.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Comprises non-scratching components
- Suitable for all surfaces
- Removes contaminating agents promptly
Cons
- Do not remove moderate scratches in a single application
7. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound & Clarity Restorer
Meguiar has always come out as a reliable detailer for car surfaces. This restorer has the potential to be the ultimate detailer you would require for surface-level damages. Whether you want to remove scratches, blemishes, water spots or any other defect, this restorer is all you need to apply.
Their smart composition contains the rubbing properties of abrasive compounds. Yet the harsh after-effects of rubbing compounds are neglected by adopting micro-abrasive technology. Also, to wipe away the wear and tear, this restorer requires minimum application time and effort. Consequently, enabling you to recover the glass-like shine of your car in a single-step.
Pros
- Micro-abrasive technology
- Vanishes all paint defects
- Premium polishing capability
- Timesaving
Cons
- Difficult to wipe away
Conclusion
There are numerous buffing compounds available in the market. Finding the one that suits your car is baffling. However, by taking care of a few factors, you can easily pick a convenient option for yourself.
For those willing to remove mild scratches and defects from their standard model car, buying any of the compounds available would be fine. The Turtle Wax Polishing compound is a good fit for this category.
On contrary, if you have a luxurious car, it’s best if you buy a top-notch product from a reliable brand that does not obliterate the car’s sheen. In this case, the Chemical Guys or 3D compounds would be the perfect match.
One thing to take care of is to cover the surface with wax or a sealant right after the application of the compound. Doing this will preserve the glossy look of the car for a long, hence, saving you from wiping the car on daily basis.
