10 Best Boat Rubbing Compound 2026 in the United States

The Perfect-It Perfect-It EX AC Rubbing Compound is a high-performing product designed to efficiently remove P1200 grade or finer scratches. Its abrasiveness level is fine, making it suitable for delicate tasks while ensuring thorough scratch removal. The compound is specially formulated to prevent sticking and residual films, aiding in a smoother application process and less clean-up.

This makes it a versatile choice for newer, more challenging clearcoats and a variety of paint surfaces, including aluminum and industrial materials, ensuring broad compatibility. Users will appreciate its ability to reduce dusting and leave a refined finish, which contributes to a high-quality final result. The product is designed for industrial and occupational use, indicating that it may not be ideal for casual or consumer use.

Weighing 2 pounds and containing 32 ounces, it provides a good quantity for extensive use. Potential drawbacks include its industrial use limitation, which might not be suitable for home users, and its specialized formulation, which could require some familiarity with professional-level products for optimal results. For those in the automotive or marine industries, this compound offers excellent performance and ease of use for maintaining and restoring surfaces.

The Shurhold Buff Magic Compound is a versatile polishing product designed to restore oxidation and rust damage on boats, metals, and gelcoat surfaces. Its abrasiveness, based on aluminum oxide, offers effective cleaning without being overly harsh, which helps safely remove surface imperfections and brighten metals. The compound works well both by hand and with a machine, making it flexible depending on your comfort with tools. It's compatible with various surfaces including fiberglass gelcoat and precious metals, which adds to its usefulness for boat owners who want to tackle different restoration jobs with one product.

The product encourages using less compound than usual, providing good coverage and a nice glossy finish without much effort. However, its non-grit, acrylic-based formula might not be aggressive enough for very deep oxidation or severe damage, so it’s best suited for moderate restoration tasks rather than heavy-duty repair. Weighing about 5.2 pounds, it’s a fairly large size, which is convenient if you plan frequent use but might feel bulky for occasional touch-ups.

Customer feedback is positive, highlighting its ability to significantly improve surface shine and metal brightness. This compound is an excellent choice if you want an easy-to-use, all-around polishing product that refreshes your boat’s exterior and metals with a fine finish, though it may not be sufficient for stubborn or deep oxidation issues.

Meguiar's M9132 Marine/RV Power Cut Compound is designed specifically for boat and RV owners who need to restore fiberglass gel coat surfaces. Its micro-abrasive formula offers strong cutting power that quickly removes sanding marks and heavy oxidation, making it effective for tackling tough surface damage. It’s safe for both gel coat and painted surfaces, which means you can use it on many parts of your boat without worrying about damage.

The compound works best when used with a rotary buffer, so if you have one, this can speed up the job and improve results. One of its strengths is that it reduces swirl marks and doesn’t scour or ruin the finish like some harsher compounds. Applying it by hand might be slower and require more effort, and it is most efficient on fiberglass, so it may not be the best choice for materials other than gel coat or painted surfaces.

In terms of ease of use, the product is user-friendly but assumes some basic knowledge or equipment for best results. The finish quality after use is generally smooth and restored, making your boat look refreshed without a dull or scratched surface. This product is a solid pick for boat owners focused on maintaining and improving fiberglass surfaces quickly and effectively.