If you own a beautiful black car, you know how easy it is for the body to gain unsightly marks, swirls, and scratches. Any proud car owner wants their paint job to have high shine and deep gloss, and fortunately, there are products out there that can return your vehicle to its factory-floor glory.
Keeping a black car polished and scratch-free takes a lot of work. Should you buy the best polishing compounds for black cars that can be applied by hand, or do you need an orbital buffer? Does it matter if the product is for all deep colors or black only? Are all-in-one compounds okay, or do you need a compound kit? Can a product buff out swirls and scratches, or is it best to buy targeted compounds?
The best thing is I’ve added a buying guide too. This will help you to find out the best one for you from the available options in the market.
So, have no worries. Start reading.
In a Hurry? Check our Top Pick!
Mothers California Gold Clay Bar
2. 2 Bonus Sized 100 Gram Clay Bars.
3.16 fl. oz Mothers Instant Detailers
4.16″ x 16″ Mothers Microfiber Towel
5.Regular Use Provides A Long Lasting Benefit To Your Vehicle
Top 10 Best Polishing Compounds for Black Cars Reviews
1. The 16 V Line Polish By Chemical Guys
This fantastic compound is a great polish that ensures your car comes out looking brand new. The kit has four included items and is designed to be your complete polish experience. This is a terrific compound for those who are unsure what product to use, as it’s fairly easy to apply and has a great finish.
This polishing kit does the work. It removes scratches and oxidation and adds a glossy polish. It’s the compound that we recommend. The 16 V Line is a great kit because it is both convenient and high-quality, and you might be surprised how much better your vehicle looks.
This kit works especially well on black cars since they need an extra-glossy finish. All of the compounds included in the kit are high quality, and we noticed an elevated amount of shine, gloss, and reduced scratches after using it.
16 V Line Polish By Chemical Guys Video Review
2. Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System
This is a package that includes a detailer and a clay bar which is safe on all paint types. So, you won’t have to match the pain type and other issues. Together the detailer and the clay bar can remove paint overspray, environmental deposits, metal grains, basic scratches, etc.
The detailer is a perfect one that adds clarity and depth to the paint. As a result, your vehicle looks better. It is very easy to use. You’ll find the detailing tips on the website that’ll help you to get more shine.
The clay bar is not a stiff one. It can also be applied easily on your vehicle’s paint surface. As it is not stiff, there is no chance of ruining the paint.
You’ll find two clay bars and 1 16 oz. bottle of Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer in the package. Also, it comes with a microfiber towel. This is a professional-grade package. So, you can expect a performance that would blow your mind.
3. Meguiar’s Exceptional Car Polishing Restores Series
This polishing agent works best on cars with deep color. Mirror glaze products are one of the best black and dark car polishing compounds, and we loved the way this product restored the coat.
Meguiar’s is best for restoring a major shine to the vehicle body. This product restores a professional-grade shine, and it’s easy to apply at home. It’s best to first apply a wax coat so you can get that “wet” look on the dark paint, though products like this can be used as both a polish and wax for black cars.
This is a versatile product and can be applied in various ways, including cloth and rotary buffer. Meguiar’s has been crafted to work depending on use and need. It has a specific coating that removes sun damage, scratches, and more while giving your vehicle a shiny, polished look. Just wash your car beforehand to remove any hidden dust or dirt.
4. Chemical Guys COM_129_16 Scratch and Swirl Remover
If your vehicle paint comes with a glossy finish, this is one of the perfect polishing compounds for black car. It comes with diminishing abrasive technology. With the help of this technology, it cuts quickly and removes imperfection totally. Then it leaves a mirror-like glossy finishing in the end.
Its unique formulation has made it a compound, a cleaner, and a polish at the same time. Thus, for the price of one, you’re getting three. Also, you won’t have to spend a huge time on it because of its fixing ability in just one step.
You won’t have to worry much about this polishing compound because it is safe and suitable for all types of paints. It is able to remove several types of scratches, swirls, and oxidation from your vehicle’s paint. So, you can go for it without any confusion.
Overall, I guess this can be the perfect solution that can help you to fix the imperfections on your vehicle’s paint. Instead of spending hours and hours in multi-step processes, you can use it to get the job done quickly.
5. Turtle Wax Color Magic Black Car Polish
Color-specific products typically work best on black cars, as black cars need polishes made for deeper colors. This is one of the most popular compounds on the market because it works so well at hiding swirls and scratches that can come up in black paint.
Turtle Wax Color Magic contains dyes, pigments, and polishing agents that fill in scratches and swirl marks across your vehicle. It doesn’t “remove” any of these blemishes, instead working to hide them and leave behind a smooth, glossy shine. Since this product works to hide blemishes, you will still need to apply a coat of wax after the polish, plus this compound can be a touch messy to use.
Turtle Wax Color Magic Car Polish Video Review
6. Jax Wax Professional Swirl Remover
This is a fantastic product that is designed to be easy to use. It’s a single-step process that can remove both scratches and swirl marks, while also leaving a wax coat that protects your beautiful black finish. This polishing compound has been specifically designed for black and deep-color paints. It can also remove water spots.
The Jax Wax Professional Swirl Remover is specially formulated to buff out and eliminate swirls and imperfections in the paint job. This compound uses premium-grade wax so that you don’t have to use a secondary coat of sealant. It’s fairly easy to apply and buff, and since it allows you to clean and wax at the same time, it saves you on effort.
How to Use Jax Wax to Remove Old Truck Paint
7. Meguiar’s G17220 Ultimate Compound, Color & Clarity Restorer
I’ve already talked about one from Meguiar’s. They have some awesome products in this polishing and restoring section and G172220 is one of those. This ultimate restoring compound should be on your preference list.
Blemishes, water spots, oxidation, or scratches- name the issue and it can solve your problem easily. It requires only one easy step. Just do it and your vehicle is free from the issue.
It comes with micro-abrasive technology which helps it to leave a smooth and glossy finish so that the paint looks newly done. You can use this compound on single-stage paints or clear coats without any issues.
As it restores the paint of your vehicle with an easy step, you can save a lot of your time and effort. Meguiar’s is in this industry for around 120 years. So, it knows exactly what would be convenient for the users and safe for the paint.
8. 3D One Rubbing Compound & Finishing Polish
If you’re looking for a polisher and corrector for heavy scratches, go for this one from 3D One. This doesn’t mean it can’t remove light and medium scratches.
3D One has used a hybrid formula to produce this rubbing compound. As a result, it can ensure a perfectly polished paint surface with a glossy finish. With only one step, you’ll get the surface of your vehicle fixed with an amazing polish.
To fix imperfections like swirl, oxidation, or scratch, you can use it without any hesitation. As a professional-grade polishing compound, it is safe for all types of paints. For any quick fix on a small surface, you can use your hands only to apply it. There is no side effect. For covering a larger surface, you have to use a buffer or polisher.
Overall, this is a well-performing rubbing and polishing compound for vehicle surfaces. Having it for your vehicle is a good choice as it can fix several types of deep imperfections. But as per the performance, the price seems to be a bit higher.
9. Sonax (246300) Profiline CutMax
If you need a high gloss polishing compound for your black car, you can go for this one from Sonax too. With professional cutting and polishing performance, it can help you with several issues with only a simple step.
It comes with a water-based formula. There is no solvent, petroleum, or silicone. As a result, it doesn’t create any dust in the polishing process. The water-based formula is designed to get the work done within a very short time and a single step. Thus, you’ll be able to save a lot of your time and energy.
It works just perfectly on all types of paints and coats and leaves a shiny look that you’ll love. You can use any rotary polisher or the rad polisher pad from Sonax to get the best out of it.
Overall, to get rid of paint defects, severe oxidization, light to medium scratches, durst inclusions, and similar issues, this can be a good option for you. The price is a bit high, but I think it is worthy.
10. 3M Scratch Remover
This is one of the best polishers in the industry. 3M products are specialized because they don’t contain wax that fills in scratches or swirls. This compound is made to eliminate scratches and swirls in black paint, not hide them. It’s easy to use and can repair light paint damage and buff out oxidation. The 3M Scratch Remover is a professional product designed to fix clear coats.
3M Scratch Remover is a great product that leaves a nice finish. You will still need to wax and apply a finish coat for the polish, which makes this compound more of an effort, but the results are worth it. The finish is one of the best, looking both professional and new. It applies a deep, wet-looking shine to black paint. Even if you aren’t a pro, you will have no issues using this product.
Best Polishing Compound for Black Cars Buying Guide
Closing your eyes and picking a polishing compound at random isn’t the way to go. You need to rely on specific, targeted compounds for your black car’s exquisite paint job. Depending on the damage, you might need scratch removal, swirl buffing, waxing, oxidation removal, high gloss, or an additional wax coating. Peruse the points below and compare them with the products listed to find exactly what you need.
- Ease of Use
While many polishing kits and compounds are beginner-friendly, some are made with professionals and experienced users in mind, so make sure you read about the product and understand if it’s right for you. Polishing compounds are designed for attention to detail, and sometimes this detailing can take a substantial amount of time and elbow grease. Before purchasing any product, see if it matches your comfort level and ability.
- Scratch Buffing or Swirl Buffing
When buffing out scratches or swirls, most of these products will only work for surface scratches. Deep scratches are another issue entirely, one that cannot be fixed by common products. Scratches are an inevitable part of driving, and you might be surprised at what some of these products can buff out. While some products may say they buff out scratches or swirls, thoroughly read about the product to understand if they remove either, or both. Some products are dedicated to specific needs.
- Wax and Coat Finish
Some products provide a wax coat and shiny finish while they are being used, and some products require a wax coat before or after using the product. It’s important to read what the product does and decide for yourself if it’s worth the time, money, or hassle depending on your need. Some of the best products require an additional coat of wax to achieve that show floor shine. While it is based on need, it can be worth your effort to buy separate products that each accomplishes a targeted function. This can give your black car the high gloss shine you’re looking for.
- Oxidation Removal
Some of these buffing compounds can remove light to moderate oxidation in addition to buffing out scratches or swirls. Heavy, advanced oxidation requires specialized rubbing compounds that you will have to purchase and use in addition to polishing compounds. If the scratches and oxidation on your black car’s paint job are minor, multi-function compounds and kits might do the trick. While the product in use will always come with clear instructions, it’s typically a good idea to thoroughly and completely wash your black car before attempting to remove any oxidation.
- High Gloss, High Shine
Many compounds that promise a high gloss finish contain carnauba wax, which you can also buy separately. You want your black car to have a dark shine and a “wet” high gloss look after its wax and polish, which will accentuate its details and body. Specialized products made for black paint jobs are designed to bring out the natural, finished gloss in your car. After using any product that buffs out scratches, swirls, or oxidation, make sure you always finish with a coat that will improve the luster of the vehicle’s paint job.
How to Apply Polishing Compound by Hand
Now you know how you can pick the best polishing compounds for black cars. After getting the compound in hand, what are you going to do?
You should know the right way to use that compound you’ve picked. That’s why here I’m sharing the basic way of applying a polishing compound. The exact process is a bit different in different products. I’m sharing the common process of doing it.
Step 1- Get Everything Ready
At the very first, you have to ensure that you have everything ready. For polishing, you’ll need only a few things. You need the polishing compound itself. To apply it, you’ll have to have a polishing machine or buffing pad. Also, you’ll have to have a microfiber towel for several purposes.
Step 2- Clean the Vehicle
To apply a polishing compound, you’ll have to ensure that the surface is clean. So, wash the vehicle or the specific part that you want to polish. Then, make sure that the surface is properly dry.
Step 3- Apply the Compound
Now it is time to apply the compound. Following the instructing, take some compounds on the buffer of the polishing machine. And then apply it on the surface. Some product suggests putting the compound on the surface and then using the machine on it. You can do that too.
If you’re using a buffing pad, take the compound on the pad and start rubbing on the targeted surface.
Rub with moderate force, don’t push much. Continue rubbing until the compound is totally invisible.
If there is any residue, use the microfiber towel to get rid of it.
Step 4- Wash the Surface
This is not a mandatory step. Some compounds ask to wash the surface after a certain time.
I’ve talked about the basic single-step process of using a rubbing compound on your vehicle. I suggest reading the instruction that comes with the compound. For the best result, follow that. This process here is just for giving you a basic understanding of the whole process of working.
FAQ’s About Polishing & Rubbing Compound
Is Rubbing Compound Bad for the Paint of the Vehicle?
Not always. But there are several cases when it can be really bad for the paint of your vehicle. For example-
- Using low-quality compound will ruin the paint
- Following any aggressive technique to get the job done
- Applying too much of the compound
- Putting too much pressure while using the polishing machine
- Not cleaning the vehicle or surface before applying the compound. It’ll cause more scratches.
How often should I Polish the Car?
You have to polish your car if you see any swirl, scratch, or heavy oxidization on the paint. However, this doesn’t say that you have to do it whenever you see an issue. Frequent polishing ruins the color of the vehicle.
To keep your vehicle paint safe from it, you should polish your vehicle around 4-5 times in a lifetime. Also, avoid applying it twice within a year. Whenever you’re applying the polishing compound, make sure that you’re applying a quality product.
Are Rubbing Compound and Polishing Compound Different?
Yes, these two are different. Rubbing compound is focused on fixing the issues on paints caused by scratches or swirls. Differently, polishing compound is for adding shine to the vehicle surface.
But nowadays, you’ll find hybrids that can fix the paint issues as well as leave a polished surface. These are also called by the same name. So, don’t get confused if you see any polishing compound that says that it can fix paint issues. You’ll find several in this article too.
How to Use Polishing Compound for your Car (Video)
Final Notes
Hopefully, this list gives you everything you need to find the best polishing compound for your black car. Taking care of that beautiful paint job can be a lot of work, and thankfully there are a number of great compounds on the market that buff out pesky scratches and restore a professional shine. If you’re looking for additional products to elevate your vehicle, PartsAvatar has everything you need to make your car beautiful, from the interior to the exterior.
