Best Buffing Compounds

Vehicle Buffing Compound Buying Guide

Shopping for a buffing compound can be a bit overwhelming because there are a lot of options available and they all differ slightly. Here are some key questions to ask yourself before shopping so that you can choose the best Buffing Compound.

Why Do You Need a Buffing Compound?

Vehicle surfaces can quickly lose their aesthetic appeal as they get covered in scratches. Similarly, a dull, faded paint job on your vehicle is less pleasing to the eyes. Buffing compounds help owners eliminate these visual concerns while also protecting the paint and surface of the vehicle from various elements.

Apart from aesthetic advantages, a key functional advantage of a buffing compound is its ability to prevent damage from oxidation and rust. Corrosion can build up on your vehicle, and over a period of time that gives rise to other long run issues. A buffing compound can help remove corrosion in advance and therefore prevent structural damages to the vehicle from occurring.

What to consider when buying buffing compounds?

Before purchasing a buffing compound it is important to know the surface material that you will be applying it to. Knowing the surface on which the compound is intended for helps you choose a compound with the right density, which is basically the ratio of the size of the grit to the entire buffer. The higher this ratio, the more aggressive of a buffing compound.

Carefully choose the level of grit you want for your project. Is it bulky particles you’re looking out for, or are you considering finer particles specific to the surface you’d be using it on. Take that into consideration and then select the compound that matches your specifications best. You could choose a hybrid compound, a pure buffer or a liquid compound based on your specifications and preference for application on the vehicle.

Finally, take a moment to consider storage for the buffing compound since you might be storing it for a long time. Certain buffing compounds are sensitive to extreme temperatures so might not be safe to store in your garage.

Let’s take a look at what we feel are some of the best buffing compounds for your vehicle. Any of the compounds on this list can help your vehicle shine like new.

Best Buffing Compounds

1) Woodstock D2902 Extra Fine Buffing Compound

The Woodstock Extra Fine Buffing Compound can be used on most metal items and surfaces. This versatile compound is available as a one- pound bar featuring 400 to 600 grit. The compound is easy to use and a single bar can last for a surprisingly long time. This bar helps you achieve an exceptionally smooth finish thanks to its magnificent polishing ability.

This compound works best at eliminating scratches on metals like aluminum and stainless steel surfaces. The Woodstock bar provides great grip to the user while being used and its density is commendable. Be it the first coat or the final coat, this buffing compound is an effective tool for polishing your vehicle.

2) Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating

The Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating is a buffing compound that helps you achieve sparkling, shining results without causing any damage to the car’s surface. It is capable of eliminating scratches, heavy swirl marks, and surface blemishes with relative ease.

The Turtle Wax compound is made of a silicone-free formula that can be applied either by hand, with a polisher, a microfiber cloth, or foam pads. The compound is safe to be used on all of a car’s surfaces and also emits a fruity smell.

Though this is termed as a buffer, it is technically a hybrid variant and not a pure buffing compound. Hence, some customers may have better results with a pure buffing agent if the surface is particularly distressed. Customers do like that it has the ability to work on a wide range of surfaces.

3) 3D One – Car Scratch & Swirl Remover – Rubbing Compound & Finishing Polish

The 3D One Professional Cutting, Polishing, and Finishing Compound is a versatile product that works to perform the job of multiple items all in one. It can be used to buff, polish, and deliver true paint correction while also removing scratches from the vehicle’s surface. The compound is water-based and works especially well on chrome.

3D One can be applied on any metallic surface using a foam pad or polisher. It helps make your car as shiny as new thanks to that power equivalent to p1500 sanding scratches. Note that the product can get excessively thin in warm conditions, so it is best advised to store it in a cool and dark place.

4) Griot’s Garage 10862 Complete Compound

People searching for a buffer that offers convenience find that Griot’s Garage Compound is the perfect selection. The material can be applied directly from the 16- ounce container and works best with either a powered buffer or by hand using a microfiber cloth.

The compound’s formula is completely free of filling agents and as a result, it provides actual results without simply glossing over the damage. The microscopic grit in the compound effectively abrades the surface while leaving behind a good soft shine on the surface of the vehicle. It can be applied on all types of metals and paints.

Note that although this buffer compound is easy to apply, it tends to get thin in the heat and thick in the cold. These concerns can be avoided if the container is stored upright in a cool and dry place.

5) Drixet 6 Piece Buffing, Polishing & Cutting Compound

The Drixet 6 Piece Buffing, Polishing, & Cutting Compound includes six different buffing and polishing compounds in the pack. This makes multiple jobs a lot easier to perform. Each buffing compound is designed for a different purpose and can be differentiated by their colors – brown tripoli, black emery, red rogue, white diamond, general green, and all purpose blue. Depending on the color, they can be used to polish a car’s surface, buff jewelry, electronic appliances and a lot more.

The kit’s high versatility enables it to be used as a polisher, buffing compound, and to remove scratches. It can be used on materials like wood and plastic. Note that when exposed to a high volume of water, the compounds can dry out and lose their shape so be cautious during use.

6) BeaverCraft P02 Buffing Compound

The BeaverCraft Buffing Compound is known for its ability to polish and buff just about any metal surface. The compound is made out of chrome oxide green and alumina. It delivers a sleek, shining finish on metals like brass, steel, copper and chrome. This can also be used on garage tools and even to sharpen knives.

The BeaverCraft buffing compound is easy to use and customers like that they can grip it well while performing the task. It’s versatile nature and good quality delivers impressive results for polishing and buffing. The buffing compound is a bar that will last for many years depending on the use.

7) Chemical Guys Gap VKIT 04 V Line Polish

Chemical Guys Line Polish delivers a set of four containers, with each holding four ounces of polishing compound. The compound formula is crafted to be free of silicone and is safe for use. It will not harm your vehicle’s surface, however, the compound’s effectiveness depends on the underlying condition of the vehicle’s surface since the formula may not be as effective as a dense buffer.

The compound incorporates an abrasive agent, yet it is smooth enough to prevent scratches. This provides a thick polish layer to the vehicle’s surface, making it look shiny. The polish layer also helps prevent dust and other tiny particles from creating micro scratches on the body.

8) Swpeet 8Pcs Polishing Compound Kit

The kit comes in a set of eight bars which are small enough to hold and use with ease. The bars themselves are color-coded for convenience as each color depicts the buffer density of the compound.

This is helpful in knowing the best-suited buffer density to apply on the vehicle depending on the surface condition. The buffing agents can also be used as polishers on a wide variety of items- anything from cars to jewelry. These are easier to store and use- thanks to the compact size. The material is activated by heat and movement. Rub it against the surface of your vehicle and it would cover all scratches while leaving behind a soft shine.

A point of caution is that these buffers are strong. Hence, users need to be cautious in applying the right buffer to the respective surface.

Conclusion

There are lots of buffing compounds available in the market that suit different needs and surfaces, so it is important to choose the one that best fits your project. The review above gives great options for buffing compounds, be it liquid or solid buffing bars. Each of the products does the job as promised and most provide good value for money.

We find that one of the best buffing compounds is the Woodstock D2902 Extra Fine compound for the utility it provides, ease of use, ability to restore paint quality, cover fine scratches and to restore a vehicle to its showroom condition. In terms of a pure liquid buffing compound, shoppers like the Turtle Wax Hybrid solution, which provides good aesthetic shine to a vehicle. Whatever compound you find is best for your vehicle, a good buffing compound will provide a sparkle and shine that is unobtainable from a simple wash.