More About Our Compounds & Polishes
Use Chemical Guys’ cutting & polishing products to remove imperfections and scratches in your paint, then finish to the glossy shine you want. You’ll use a dual-action polisher or rotary polisher with these products, and they’re designed to minimize dusting to keep your workspace cleaner. There are also no fillers, so the results you see are the true results you get. Use these cutting & polishing products to refine surfaces with supreme optical clarity, including headlights, and get the body shop look.
Please note that some of our compounds and polishes are part of a multi-step process, while other products are one-step solutions, like the VSS polishing compound.
The V-Series
The V-series is a 4-step series of progressively less abrasive cutting compounds, from our most aggressive, the V32, to the final polish, V38.
If you have moderate to deep imperfections and scratches, we recommend starting with V32, then moving on to V34 or V36. Then finish the job with V38 finishing polish. If you have minimal swirling or defects, you can skip right to V36 and end with V38 ultra-refined finishing polish, which restores your paint to a mirror-like shine.
Learn More: Exterior How-To's
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When Power Tools Make Sense for DIY DetailersPower tools can be intimidating for many car owners — and editors acknowledged that up front in their testing. In 2025, the tools that earned top marks weren’t the most aggressive or complex, but the ones that made professional‑level results feel achievable at home. From beginner‑friendly polishers to thoughtfully designed machines that prioritize control and safety, these picks stood out for lowering the learning curve rather than raising it. -
The Exterior Car Cleaning Products Editors Tested (And Actually Kept Using)Not all car cleaning products earn their reputation through hype — some earn it through testing. In 2025, editors from outlets like Car and Driver, Road & Track, MotorTrend, and Bob Vila repeatedly highlighted the same Chemical Guys exterior products for one simple reason: they made washing cars easier, safer, and more predictable. From pressure washers designed specifically for paint safety to foam systems and drying towels that reduce swirl marks, these picks stood out because they actually worked in real‑world conditions—not just on paper. -
How to Clay Bar Your Car Properly to Decontaminate PaintUnlock the Detailer's Secret with Clay Bars. Learn how to restore your car's paintwork to a smooth-as-glass finish and protect it from environmental damage. -
How To Buff A Car: Step-By-Step Guide To A Mirror FinishLearn how to buff a car the right way with Chemical Guys to remove swirls, restore clarity, and achieve a deep, long-lasting mirror finish.
