Best Polishing & Rubbing Compounds in 2022

Last update: December 1, 2022

Can I compound and polish by hand?

Yes, you can compound and polish by hand, but it will take longer and require more elbow grease than using a machine. If you are going to do it by hand, you will need a good quality polishing compound and a soft cloth. Apply the polishing compound to the cloth and then rub it onto the surface you are trying to polish. Keep rubbing until the compound dries and then buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Can I use rubbing compound for polishing?

Rubbing compound can be used for polishing, but it is not the best option. It can be difficult to control the amount of compound you are using, and it can end up being too abrasive. If you do use rubbing compound, be sure to use a very light touch.

Can I use rubbing compound on scratches?

Yes, rubbing compound can be used to remove scratches from a variety of surfaces. However, it is important to test the compound on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it does not damage the finish.

Can I use toothpaste as polishing compound?

Toothpaste is a common household product that can be used for a variety of purposes, including polishing. While toothpaste is not traditionally used as a polishing compound, it can be effective in removing minor scratches and scuffs from surfaces. For best results, use a toothpaste that contains abrasives, such as baking soda or hydrated silica. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft, clean cloth and rub the cloth over the surface in a circular motion. Rinse the area with clean water and dry with a soft towel.


Chemical Guys WAC_CLY_100_16 Luber Synthetic Lubricant and Detailer (16 oz) Review:


I just used this lubrication and a clay bar to clean the part of my roof that was covered with difficult-to-remove spots. Holy. Moly. It was so much simpler than I anticipated that I am genuinely eager to finish.I've had my automobile for just over a year. It's my first white automobile, and when there are stains or dirt on it, it really displays them. I just discovered brown patches all over the roof that looked like freckles, and it started to look matte and drab. Whatever it is, it is unyielding. Even after being washed, it resisted attempts to remove it with a fingernail. With a couple of passes of the greased clay bar, bang. Gone. A quick spritz of detailing spray served as the finishing touch to restore that section's gloss.Like others have said, the lubricant itself has a pleasant fragrance. a little bit of a cinnamon bubblegum smell. Simple nuances like that just make for a nicer experience.Based on my personal experience and the majority, if not all, of the positive and consistent reviews of Chemical Bros products, I'd say they've gained a new, devoted client.



Meguiar's M10532 Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound, 32. Fluid_Ounces Review:


I think this is the greatest product I've ever used to remove deeper scratches and swirl marks. I have used this with a rotary tool and a wool pad to remove deep scratches and heavy swirl marks together in 4 to 6 passes at a speed of 1600 to 1800 RPM. The first 2 or 3 passes used considerable pressure, and the final 2 or 3 passes only only the weight of the tool.I used it today at a rotary speed of 1400 to 1600 RPM with a foam cutting pad. utilized the identical 4–6 passes as before. Got the swirls out and produced a decent finish.On the dual action polisher, I've also used this with cutting foam pads, and it effectively eliminated heavy swirls. However, not nearly as much with the deeper scrapes as the wool pad did, at least not without making additional passes with great pressure. The 4 to 6 passes were still used, with the first 3 passes using high downward pressure and the latter 2 or 3 passes using mild pressure. This actually turns out quite nicely, necessitating very little post-polishing.If you use a polishing pad to remove extremely light swirls, I'm very confident you could still finish out very well with this. Just use mild pressure for the final few strokes.This compound employs SMAT abrasives, which cut incredibly quickly and require fewer passes than compounds or items that use DAT abrasives (the abrasives don't break down) (abrasives that break down with more passes). You will, of course, save time and effort as a result.The wool pad does create quite an amount of dust, but it typically results from the wool pad being overloaded and the heat it produces. If you notice that it's getting a little dry after a few rounds, you can sprinkle the painted area with some water to reactivate the compound and make a few more passes. When using foam pads on the rotary, I don't get nearly as much dusting as I do when using them on the dual action, though. However, the dust never impairs the compound's functionality or the paint finish.This substance is excellent for numerous applications. The approach depends on the severity of your flaws, the toughness of the paint, and what you deem to be acceptable.



Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System Review:


At first, I believed that the "clay bar thing" was really a marketing ploy. However, I discovered that it seems to perform what it purports to do. I started by washing my four-year-old automobile. After that, I only used the clay bar on the hood. I gave it time to dry before using a microfiber towel to remove the haze. I observed that the microfiber towel went easily across the hood when I pushed it in that direction. However, the towel did not glide as I moved it over the fender and roof. It appeared to seize the paint (so to speak). You might not want to take the extra step of using a clay bar. But because there won't be as much resistance while applying and removing polish and wax, it will make subsequent buffings simpler. And using it doesn't require a lot of effort. The process is finished rather quickly and the clay bar glides along the automobile with ease if you use a lot of liquid. When I wax, I never use a clay bar. However, I WILL utilize it at least once per few years.



NOVUS PC-10 Plastic Clean & Shine - 8 oz. Review:


New: I adore this material!I've been experimenting with this product on a variety of plastics around the house after experiencing initial success with the two lamps I listed below. My HP laptop's touchscreen now has a gloss finish that resists fingerprints. The casing and keyboard both functioned properly.My 30-year-old Sony receiver has plastic buttons, a clear plastic display, and even an anodized metal faceplate that all appear to have recently left the manufacturer.So far, Novus 1 has made an immediate difference to everything it has touched.Awesome stuff!Initial ReviewI purchased Novus #1 to clean the interior of a replica Panton VP Globe whose clear acrylic shell had developed a streaky, swirly coating over the course of years in storage. It appears to have previously undergone inappropriate cleaning. Swirls weren't really evident when the light wasn't on, but they were rather distracting when it was.The acrylic was quickly and easily made crystal clear by the product, which also left the shell feeling extremely smooth.After finishing that more challenging project, I successfully used Novus #1 on the Lucite fins of a classic chrome desk lamp. Once more, it gave them a brand-new gloss and made them as smooth as the acrylic Globe.I should also mention how great Novus' customer service is. In order to get their advice on which of their products would be best to remove the interior swirls from the acrylic, which would be very visible with the light on since it would be radiating out through it, I emailed them from the link on their website before I attempted to clean such an awkward piece as that Globe. They advised purchasing a single bottle of 1 initially and using it a few times rather than upselling and advising utilizing 1



Meguiar's G17220 Ultimate Compound, 591 ml Pt 4 fl Oz Review:


For more than 5 years, my 2000 Ford Ranger (white) sat outside in the Florida rain and sun.Mold covered the truck in a greenish hue, and it had to be cleaned off with a brush.Water immediately soaked the whole surface without forming even a single bead, and there was no sheen to the finish.After viewing a YouTube video comparing Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to the vintage TW brand, I bought the Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, and Ultimate Wax. The outcomes are just astounding.I meticulously followed the directions, working on 2 square feet at a time with an HF DA. With the Ultimate compound, the finish immediately improved (3-4 overlapping passes). Before I applied the Ultimate polish, the surface was glossy and smooth, but not particularly glassy (3-4 overlapping passes). After using the Ultimate polish, the surface genuinely feels different, and the color is richer and deeper.The polish must be removed as soon as possible; if you wait, it will be impossible to remove. If you can't get rid of it right away, misting it with water will assist.The water bead is just as nice as any other wax, but the Ultimate wax is special and doesn't really leave any "white haze," making you start to wonder if you applied any wax or not to that region. It is wonderful that there is no white haze since it prevents your rubber trim from turning white like it would with other conventional waxes.My Ranger and Volvo were both polished with 20 ounces of Ultimate compound. The wax was 16 ounces, but I needed a few more to finish the second car.Overall, the three-step Mequiar system is more expensive but well worth the money.



Mothers 17240 Speed Clay 2.0 Review:


The item arrived on time and in nice shape. I selected TopCoat Formula f11 because "clay" requires lubrication while being used. I'll first give a review of the Mother's Speed Clay 2.0 before talking about my experience using both separately. (1) This item has a robust sponge as its red gripping surface. There is a black, sponge-like substance there. The surface that serves as the clay is underneath that. The product seems to have been carefully developed and made. The bottom surface simply flowed over the car, and I had no issue holding onto the red surface. Even more smoothly than before, the car's surface. If this product is reusable, it will be a good deal. (2) I used TopCoat Formula f11, a little-known product I've been experimenting with, as my lubricant. I started with a clean car (a 2013 E350 in Polar White) that had a couple of coatings of TopCoat that had dried thoroughly. Before I started claying, the car looked fantastic. Then, I "clayed" the car with Mother's Speed Clay 2.0 while simultaneously applying a second layer of TopCoat f11 (according to their website, Formula f11 might be used as a lubricant for clay). For those who are unfamiliar with Formula f11, it creates a surface that is so smooth that dirt and insects have a hard time adhering to it (e.g., brake dust will not stick to your rims). Most bugs and dust can be removed with a soft sponge and a little water (without carwash soap). Formula f11 and Speed Clay 2.0 performed nicely together. The paint's surface, which had previously been fairly smooth, became incredibly smooth. The paint does not appear "wet" (which I did not want on a mid-range luxury vehicle), but it does appear extremely smooth and suitably shiny. (Please take note that I have no family ties to TopCoat or Mothers. I did not get paid or given anything in exchange for this review (what lawyers refer to as "consideration"). I don't work as a detailer for a living. I just wanted to express my experience as a customer who paid market value for the goods. I sincerely hope it aids in your decision-making.)



Chemical Guys Cly_113 OG Clay Bar & Luber Synthetic Lubricant Kit, Light/Medium Duty (16 oz) (2 Items) Review:


Chemical Guys provides a range of reasonably priced, high-quality items. Their waxes and microfiber towels are my favorites. I bought this kit to try out their clay bars, and I was incredibly satisfied. The good-sized clay bar that comes with it really outlasted the lubricant. It is a light-duty clay bar, as stated; if your automobile is seriously soiled, I would consider upgrading to the gray bar.Here are a few quick pointers for those who are new to clay barring:1. Clay should be washed, dried, and then waxed.Of course, between the clay and wax, you can compound or polish, but these are the fundamental necessities.2. Before getting out the clay, softly wipe the surface of your automobile with your hand inside a fresh Ziploc bag (or other type of storage bag you have lying around). This will enhance your sense of touch and help you decide where to concentrate your attention. The most pollutants are typically found near the front of the car.3. Spray a small amount of lube on a piece of the bar to make it more malleable, then shape it into a 1.5 to 2 inch-diameter patty. Before you clay each location, sprinkle it with lubrication. If the clay starts to catch, spray it again. Reform the patties often to prevent the dirt buildup from harming your paint.4. Discard the burger if you drop it to the ground. ABSOLUTELY NONE.



SHINE ARMOR Revive Scratch Repair Swirl Remover – Paint, Polish, Scuff, Blemish Removal – Water Spots, Hairline Car Care Auto Detail Restorer - Chrome & Metal Polish Review:


The shine armour fast coat, which was the first item I purchased, was fantastic. When your automobile, like mine, is clean and old, you start to notice a few minor dings here and there. I decided to attempt this scratch removal because I had good outcomes in the past. Just put, it works! It may occasionally require more effort, but it worked for my 2007 Toyota Yaris vehicle.



Chemical Guys COM_129_16 Scratch and Swirl Remover (16 oz) Review:


I hardly have any prior experience with this. However, I have a strong work ethic and a desire to learn. When I contacted Chemical Guys, they provided me with excellent advice on what I can do as a beginner trying to detail my car. I badly wanted the scratch on my door to disappear, which I assume was caused by someone dragging something along it. Along with the Torx10x buffer, I purchased the Scratch and Swirl remover. I watched as many of the YouTube tutorials as possible to figure out how to get rid of the scratch. As you can see from the photographs, it was fairly simple. I will use their polishing products to finish the remainder of my truck because I am so happy with their product. Due to the fact that it contains mild abrasives that disintegrate as you buff it in, this specific product is an all-in-one. To achieve identical results with the other products, you must step through increasingly less abrasive compounds. If this one did not sufficiently eliminate the scar, I had every intention of attempting those. When I called Chemical Guys, a very helpful Robert informed me that I could use this without a powered buffer, but it would obviously take much more time and elbow grease.



Turtle Wax T-374KTR Color Magic Car Polish, Black - 16 oz. Review:


Although it might not produce the same quality of results as a thorough detailing kit like Turtle Wax Black Box (which requires 2-3 hours to complete), I believe this to be the best option given the cost and ease of use.There are alternative products one might utilize if they're a stickler for accuracy. However, this is one of the greatest solutions out there in my opinion if you simply want to give your car a nice, spectacular shine without spending hours on it. JUST FOR THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES IN FILLING IN AND COVERING SCARS, THE CHIPSTICK WOULD BE WORTH THE PRICE!After washing my car, it took me about 30 to 35 minutes to finish filling in the scratches with Chipstik, buffing the spots, applying Color Magic liquid, and shining everything up. I probably could have finished it sooner, but I hadn't worked on the finish of my car in this way since I bought it two years ago. For future polishings and touch-ups, I believe it will take around 20 minutes to complete. Very excellent pricing and highly recommended.Absolutely 5 stars.


Can rubbing compound remove orange peel?

Yes, rubbing compound can remove orange peel. When applied with a polishing pad, it will level out the clear coat and remove the imperfections.

Can WD 40 Remove car scratches?

WD 40 is a versatile product that can be used for many different things, including removing car scratches. While it may not work on all scratches, it is definitely worth a try on smaller scratches. Simply spray WD 40 onto the scratch and then use a soft cloth to buff it out.

Do I need to wax after rubbing compound?

Assuming you are talking about car paint: Yes, you need to wax after using a rubbing compound. A rubbing compound is used to remove scratches and other imperfections in the paint. However, it can also remove the wax that is protecting the paint. That's why it's important to wax the car after using a rubbing compound.

How do you restore shine after rubbing compound?

There are a few ways that you can restore shine after rubbing compound. The first way is to use a polishing compound. This will remove any haze or swirl marks that the rubbing compound may have left behind. The second way is to use a wax or sealant. This will give the paint a deep shine and protection against the elements.

How many times can you compound a car?

You can compound a car as many times as you want, as long as you do it correctly. Each time you compound a car, you're essentially polishing it and making it look newer.

Should I use rubbing compound or polishing compound?

It depends on the severity of the scratches. If they're just light surface scratches, then polishing compound should be enough. If the scratches are deeper, then you'll need to use rubbing compound.