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The 8 Best automotive rubbing compounds of 2024

Are you trying to find automotive rubbing compounds among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling automotive rubbing compounds on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 25 hours of research and did 47 automotive rubbing compounds tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best automotive rubbing compounds you can buy today

No. 1
No.7 Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound - 10 Fl Oz - Cleans and Restores - Removes Deep Scratches and Stains - Restores Shine to Dull Finishes, Plastic
  • Package Dimensions: 14.94 L x 4.31 H x 10.06 W (inches)
  • Package Weight : 10 pounds
  • Country of Origin : United States
  • Part Number: 08610-EACH
No. 2
Turtle Wax T-241A Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover - 10.5 oz. , White
  • Heavy duty paste that cleans dull, oxidized finishes
  • Quickly and easily penetrates through the oxidized surface to remove scratches, blemishes and stubborn stains
  • Restores faded finishes
  • Recommended for rubbing down between coats of newly sprayed lacquer and acrylic car finishes
  • Easy to use formula
SaleNo. 3
3M Rubbing Compound, 05973, Liquid Formula,1 qt (32 fl oz/946 mL)
  • EFFECTIVE FORMULA: Helps remove sand scratches, stains and surface blemishes
  • EFFICIENT: High cut rate formulation helps reduce compounding time
  • VERSATILE: Safe for a variety of automotive and industrial paints, including clearcoats, lacquer, and enamel paint finishes
  • ECONOMICAL: A high-performance compound for value-focused shops
  • For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use
No. 4
Meguiar's Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound - Clear Coat Safe Paint Correction - Swirl Removal & Scratch Removal in One Easy to Use Product - 16 Oz
  • Rubbing compound safely and quickly removes oxidation, scratches, stains and other below-surface defects
  • This scratch remover and paint cleaner also revives dull and neglected surfaces
  • Unique abrasives produce a clean surface and clear finish without scouring, hazing or scratching like traditional compounds
  • Clear coat safe compound can be used effectively and safely on all glossy paints and clear coats (not for use on flat, matte or satin finishes)
  • Apply by hand only
No. 5
Turtle Wax T-230A Rubbing Compound & Heavy Duty Cleaner - 10.5 oz.
  • Heavy duty paste that cleans dull, oxidized finishes
  • Quickly and easily penetrates through the oxidized surface to remove scratches, blemishes and stubborn stains
  • Restores faded finishes
  • Recommended for rubbing down between coats of newly sprayed lacquer and acrylic car finishes
  • Easy to use formula
SaleNo. 6
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze M10508 Ultra-Cut Compound - Professional Grade Formula with Fast Cutting Action that Removes Scratches, Heavy Swirls and More - 8 Oz
  • DEFECT REMOVAL: Great for removing scratches, defects, acid rain and severe swirls/holograms
  • ULTRA-FAST COMPOUNDING: Ultra-fast cutting removes 1200 grit or finer sanding marks
  • SUPERIOR FINISH: Exclusive super micro-abrasive technology leaves best-in-class finish
  • CLEAR COAT SAFE: Safe and effective on all glossy paint finishes including clear coats
  • VERSATILE USE: Formulated for use by hand, dual action polisher or rotary buffer, and is body shop safe. Also available in 32 oz and 1 gallon sizes
SaleNo. 7
Perfect-It Perfect-It EX AC Rubbing Compound, 36060, Fast Cutting, High Performing, 1 qt (32 fl oz)
  • HIGH PERFORMING: Efficiently remove P1200 grade or finer scratches with this high-performing compound
  • PREVENTS STICKING: Specially formulated to prevent sticking and residual films
  • MULTI-PURPOSE: Ideal for newer, more challenging clearcoats
  • SMOOTH HANDLING: Reduces dusting and leaves a refined finish on a variety of paint surfaces
  • For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use. Packaging may Vary.
SaleNo. 8
Turtle Wax T-415 Premium Grade Rubbing Compound - 18 oz. , Green
  • Removes scratches, heavy swirl marks, surface blemishes and 1500 grit sanding scratches
  • Silicone free formula is safe for use in professional detail, paint and body shops
  • Can be applied by hand or with an orbital or rotary polisher
  • Safe for all finishes
  • Restores gloss and prepares the finish for waxing
  • Can be used with cotton, microfiber or foam pads
SaleNo. 9
3D One Car Scratch & Swirl Remover - Rubbing Compound & Finishing Polish - Buffing Compound Swirl Remover - True Car Paint Correction 8oz.
  • HYBRID FORMULA … 3D One is a hybrid high grade rubbing compound and finishing polish all in one bottle!
  • HYBRID FORMULA … 3D One is a hybrid high grade rubbing compound and finishing polish all in one bottle!
  • ALL YOU NEED IS ONE … 3D One is a one step scratch & swirl remover with sealant protection that will deliver a true paint correction and bring your paint job back to life!
  • SAFE & EFFECTIVE … Our premium professional grade formula removes many moderate to heavy surface imperfections on all paint colors!
  • EASY APPLICATION … You can easily apply 3D One by hand for smaller surface areas or with a polisher or buffer for larger areas with more imperfections.
  • PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA ... We've been researching and creating exterior and interior car care products for over 25 years now. A quarter of a century of giving our customers uncompromising quality. Go ahead, experience a car scratch remover rubbing compound that's tried and trusted.
No. 10
Malco Tru Grit - Heavy Duty Buffing and Polishing Compound for Cars/Automotive Paint Correction and Detailing/Removes 1000-1500 Grit Sand Scratches / 32 Oz. (120032)
  • REMOVE DEEP SCRATCHES: Use Tru-Grit to easily remove deep sand scratches & heavy oxidation and environmental paint damage on your car or vehicle.
  • BUFFING & POLISHING FOR CARS: Advanced formula with special diminishing abrasives aggressively buffs and polishes most vehicles painted surfaces. Removes the TOUGHEST STAINS!
  • EASY CLEAN-UP: Contains no waxes, silicones or fillers. Water-based formula cleans up easily.
  • HEAVY DUTY FORMULA: Malco Tru-Grit is formulated for removing 1000-grit and finer sand scratches from both fully-cured and 24-hour-old high solids and standard clears, making it the best choice for you!
  • VERSATILE COMPOUND: Can be used to remove scratches, oxidation, and paint defects on all automotive and marine finishes as well as on industrial coatings.
No. 11
3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound 05954, Liquid Formula, High Cut Rate, 1 qt (32 fl oz/946 mL)
  • HIGH CUT RATE: This economical compound delivers a high cut rate
  • REFINES: Helps remove P1000 grade and finer scratches on automotive and marine paint and gelcoat surfaces
  • REMOVES OXIDATION: Cuts through oxidation on weathered paints and gelcoats to help restore finish
  • MINIMUM EFFORT: Effortlessly removes imperfections with long wet time and high cut rate
  • For industrial/occupational use only. Not for consumer sale or use
No. 12
3M 05974 Rubbing Compound - 1 Gallon
  • Leading Manufacturer Of High-Quality Products
  • International Renown For Our Diverse Range Of Award-Winning Products
  • Designed With The User In Mind
  • Proven And Tested For Durability And Function In Real-World Conditions
  • Meeting Or Exceeding All Required And Standardized Testing
No. 13
ABRO Superior Performance Rubbing Compound, Professional-Grade Formula, Car Scratch Remover for Vehicles & Oxidation Removal, Safe on All Cars Paint Finishes, Long-Lasting Wax & Finish Repair - 10 oz
  • Superior Performance – ABRO Superior Performance Rubbing Compound is a professional-grade formula that quickly removes scratches, oxidation, and other surface defects, leaving your car looking like new.
  • Easy to Use – With its easy-to-apply formula, this rubbing compound is perfect for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts who want to achieve professional-grade results without the hassle.
  • Versatile – This rubbing compound is safe for use on all types of automotive paint finishes, including clear coats, single-stage paint, and more, making it the perfect choice for anyone who wants to restore their car's appearance.
  • Long-Lasting Results – ABRO Superior Performance Rubbing Compound delivers long-lasting results that can withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that your car looks great for longer.
  • Trusted Quality – Made with premium quality ingredients, this rubbing compound is a trusted choice for anyone who wants to restore their car's appearance and protect their investment.
SaleNo. 14
3M 39002 Rubbing Compound - 16 fl. oz.
  • Safely and effectively removes grade 1200 or finer sand scratches, other fine scratches
  • Excellent for hand compounding applications.
No. 15
Chemical Guys Gap_VKIT_04 V Line Polish and Compound Sample Kit for Light to Heavy Swirls & Scratches (Safe for Cars, Trucks, SUVs, RVs, Motorcycles & More ) 4 - 4 fl oz Items
  • ALL-INCLUSIVE SAMPLER KIT - From heavy-duty compounds to light polishes, this kit provides a sample of everything you need for a flawless finish.
  • REMOVE DEFECTS - Effectively tackle heavy scratches, swirl marks, and wet-sanding scratches with the V32 and V34 compounds.
  • ENHANCE SHINE - Use V36 and V38 polishes to refine gloss, shine, and clarity, perfect for newer cars or after compounding.
  • OPTICAL GRADE TECHNOLOGY - Features micro abrasive technology for precision and clarity in restoration.
  • NO FILLERS - What you see is what you get; the kit is formulated without fillers ensuring genuine, lasting results.
No. 16
3M Marine 09004 Tan Rubbing Compound (16.9 fl oz/500 mL)
  • Contains no wax or silicone
  • Maintains high rate of cut with constant pressure
  • Clings to paint surface
  • Remains wet on the job with little or no mess
No. 17
Nanoskin HD CUT Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound 1 Gallon - For Auto Body Shop, Car Wash, Car Detailing & Buffing | Removes Heavy Sand Scratches and Oxidation from Painted Clear Coat and Gel Coat Surfaces
  • ✅ HEAVY DUTY COMPOUND: This fast-cutting compound removes heavy oxidation, scratches, and other defects. Use Nanoskin HD Cut for any P1000 and finer scratches. Its improved formula has longer wet times for easier clean up and less dust.
  • ✅ FOR PAINTED CLEAR COAT & GEL COAT: HD Cut is a versatile cutting compound designed to remove heavy sand scratches, oxidation and water spot from both clear coat painted and gel coat surfaces.
  • ✅ SURFACE PREPARATION: Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound is a low dust formula designed to work on all paint surfaces. It quickly removes major paint imperfections and prepares the surface for waxes, sealers, or glazes.
  • ✅ EASY TO USE: Designed for fast, easy application. For best result, use with a 100% twisted wool cutting pad, buff with light to medium pressure to desired finish. Wipe off excess with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel.
  • ✅ CLEAR COAT SAFE: Our Heavy-Duty Compound is safe and effective on all glossy paint finishes including clear coats. Body shop safe & VOC compliant. No Silicones – No Fillers – No Waxes.
No. 18
Mothers 08612 Professional Rubbing Compound - 12 oz.
588 Consomer Reviews
Mothers 08612 Professional Rubbing Compound - 12 oz.
  • MOTHERS professional rubbing compound uses the same industry-proven formulas found in body shops worldwide to give you a showroom new finish, without the guesswork
  • Rubbing compound works with your favorite buffer to quickly cut through water spots, and effortlessly remove heavy oxidation, car wash scratches and other defects
  • Recondition your paint from normal wear and tear, buff fresh paint after color sanding, or even improve your factory applied paint finish, especially clear coats
  • Designed for the professional detailer, but simple enough for anyone
  • Convenient 12 ounce size
SaleNo. 19
Carfidant Scratch and Swirl Remover - Ultimate Car Scratch Remover Compound - Auto Polish & Paint Restorer - Easily Repair Paint Scratches, Scuffs, Water Spots! Car Paint Repair
  • EASY SCRATCH & SWIRL REPAIR - If your car has light scratches, swirls, or other marks - you can easily fix that with our Scratch & Swirl Remover Kit! Using the included buffer pad, our specially formulated compound will allow you to easily remove and "erase" years of wear and tear from your vehicles paint and overall appearance! (Please note if you have very deep scratches that can be easily felt with the tip of your fingernail the product may not help as much.)
  • ULTIMATE PAINT RESTORER - Not only will this remove swirls and scratches, it will restore the gloss and shine of your paint and bring it back to its original brilliance! The special rubbing compound will remove water spots, oxidation and other contaminants from your paint! Easily buff it all out by hand with our included buffer pad!
  • PREMIUM CHEMICALS - We formulate all our products to ensure they are the best! Professional grade, but easy enough for anyone to use! We use only the absolute best chemicals and ensure there are no unnecessary color dyes or scents! You get the best cutting polishing compound in a specifically formulated formula with a kit that lets you go right to work!
  • SAFE FOR ALL PAINT COLORS - Our Ultimate Car Paint Repair Kit is safe to use on all paints and colors. You can safely use it on any clearcoat, single stage, or multi stage paint!
  • MADE IN USA - CARFIDANT SATISFACTION - Don't take our word that this is the best in car detailing products and car cleaning supplies, if you are not 100% satisfied we will refund you in full! We are professionals! We are enthusiasts! We spent years developing our professional automotive detailing products and believe in them 100%! We use them. Our friends use them.
No. 20
Malco Super Duty Heavy Cut Compound - Professional Cutting, Polishing and Finishing Compound/For Auto Paint Correction, Detailing and Buffing / 32 oz. (127632)
  • HEAVY CUT COMPOUND: Super-Duty is a versatile cutting compound designed to remove heavy sand scratches and oxidation from both clear coat painted and gel coat surfaces.
  • ULTRA-FAST COMPOUNDING: Easily remove P1500 grit and finer sand scratches from any car, truck, or boat.
  • HIGH GLOSS FINISH: Super-Duty Compound works fast and leaves a high-gloss finish on any automotive, marine or industrial coating.
  • CONVENIENT & EASY TO USE: For best results use with a Malco 100% twisted white wool cutting pad.
  • CLEAR COAT SAFE: Our Heavy-Duty Compound is safe and effective on all glossy paint finishes including clear coats. Body shop safe & VOC compliant.

How to choose a good automotive rubbing compounds

Does the idea of finding a fantastic automotive rubbing compounds make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in automotive rubbing compounds. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top automotive rubbing compounds products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top automotive rubbing compounds on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top automotive rubbing compounds brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top automotive rubbing compounds based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the automotive rubbing compounds were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good automotive rubbing compounds, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your automotive rubbing compounds.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting automotive rubbing compounds for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our automotive rubbing compounds. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what automotive rubbing compounds should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on automotive rubbing compounds.