After thoroughly washing your car, using a polishing compound can help remove imperfections and protect your vehicle’s finish. There are several polishing compounds available at Amazon that can help make your car shine. Here are the best polishing compounds currently available:
Turtle Wax Polishing Compound and Scratch Remover
$7.32 at Amazon
This polishing compound easily penetrates through oxidized surfaces to remove blemishes, stubborn stains, swirl marks, and scratches. Key features include a 10.5 oz. container, heavy-duty paste, restores faded finishes, and is safe to use on all car finishes, painted metal, chrome, and porcelain.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
$11.14 at Amazon
This compound specializes in removing imperfections from your car’s paint without leaving scratches behind. It uses micro-abrasive technology that leaves behind a high gloss mirror shine. Key features include a 15.2 oz. bottle, powers through moderate surface defects, creates a showroom shine, and is safe on all clear coats and glossy paints.
Chemical Guys All-In-One Polish + Shine + Sealant
$21.99 at Amazon
This compound works great as a final touch-up product after cleaning your car. It removes most imperfections including light scratches, key scratches, and swirl marks. Key features include a 16 oz. bottle, synthetic sealant, 1-step polish and shine, and provides durable protection after a carwash.
Malco Polish
$31.97 at Amazon
This polish is effective on all types of clear coat finishes and uses unique lubricants that improve work time and make it easier to clean up for paint corrections. Key features include a 32 oz. bottle, removes compounding swirls and fine scratches, and is a water-based formula free of waxes, fillers, and silicones.
Nu Finish Polish and Sealant
$11.99 at Amazon
This compound repairs fine swirls and scratches, seals without using wax, and repels water with hydrophobic ceramic technology. It can last up to a year between uses. Key features include a 16 oz. bottle, 3-in-1 ceramic technology, repairs, seals, and repels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use a polishing compound
Before using a polishing compound, make sure you have the proper tools and that your car is washed and dried. The tools you will need besides the compound itself are foam applicator pads and microfiber towels. Consider using a buffer if you want the best results or have a lot of scratches to deal with. Apply a small amount of the compound to an applicator pad and rub it gently onto the section of paint you are correcting. Remove the compound with a microfiber cloth or towel and check for any remaining scratches.
Is compound better than wax?
Polishing compound smooths the surface of the paint, while wax is used to protect the paint and enhance its appearance. While wax offers better protection, it will eventually wash away and need to be reapplied. Polishing compound lasts longer and maintains its shine.
More top picks
There are several top-quality polishing compounds available at Amazon to help make your car shine and protect its finish. Consider trying different compounds to find the one that works best for your car and achieve that showroom shine.