Safely restore the color and clarity to abused and neglected finishes with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Meguiar's revolutionary formula and exclusive micro-abrasive technology cuts as fast as harsh, gritty abrasive compounds, but without scratching a vehicle’s paint or clear coat finish. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound reduces the time and effort needed to remove defects and improve paint’s appearance, when compared to traditional rubbing and polishing compounds. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound quickly removes oxidation, light scratches, water spots, light bird dropping etching, and stains.

Easy to apply for a showroom quality finish

Evaluating the Paint Surface

Before applying Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to a vehicle, it is recommended to begin by washing and drying a car thoroughly, as it will allow evaluating the surface of a vehicle for the presence of various defects needing correction. Defects fall into two basic categories, above surface contaminants and below surface defects. Above surface bonded contaminants include industrial fall out, paint overspray, tree sap mist, and bird droppings. Below surface defects include fine scratches, swirl marks, etching, and oxidation.

Above surface bonded contaminants often cannot be seen but they can be felt. Running a clean hand over the paint of a vehicle immediately after washing and drying it. If a paint surface is rough to the touch, this is an indication that the car will need to be clayed using Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit first (sold separately).

Below surface defects generally cannot be felt, but they can be seen, especially in strong, direct light. Good lighting is critical to evaluating the surface of the paint, because most cars will look good in the shade; therefore it's recommended to inspect the car's finish in direct sunlight or under strong fluorescent lights. Cobweb or spider web swirls come primarily from the washing and drying process when poor technique or tools are used; for example, the use of old towels, dishwashing detergents, coarse sponges, and so on. Holograms however, are a specific type of defect caused by the improper use of a high speed rotary buffer. These types of defects not only mar the finish but reduce the paint’s ability to reflect light clearly and cleanly, making the paint appear dull, faded and washed out. Removing below surface defects like light scratches, swirls, oxidation and bird dropping etching restores the clarity and reflectivity of the paint, making colors more vibrant and reflections more brilliant.

Compounding

Compounding or “paint cleaning”, should not to be confused with washing because it is the process of removing below surface defects. This can be accomplished with “liquid paint cleaners” that contain chemicals and/or abrasives to help deep clean and level the paint of the vehicle. With Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, correct the most common type of below surface defects, like swirls and holograms.

Correct paint defects, including scratches and swirls

A Few Tips About Applying Ultimate Compound

Keep the following points in mind when working with any “paint cleaner” like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound; paint cleaners do not need to dry before removing and in fact should be wiped off immediately after you’ve worked them over the finish. If they dry, the can be difficult to remove. For Ultimate Compound, simply go over the same area again with more Ultimate Compound to re-wet the surface and then remove it while it’s still wet. Paint cleaners need to be worked into the finish; they are not wipe on, wipe off products. Use a moderate amount of pad pressure to achieve optimum performance. Deep defects (scratches) that go through the clear coat cannot be corrected without repainting or applying touch up paint. The harder the paint and the deeper the defect, the smaller the area to work at one time. Paint cleaners remove everything off the surface of the paint including wax, so after using paint cleaner, Meguiar’s strongly recommends re-applying a protective coating of wax.

Applying Ultimate Compound

By hand:

• 1. Dispense a small amount of Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound directly onto a foam applicator pad or a small, clean 100% cotton terry towel.
• 2. Work a small section at a time using a tight, circular pattern and making 4-6 overlapping passes. When the Ultimate Compound starts to turn clear, make one final pass to polish the surface.
• 3. Before moving on to the next section, use Meguiar’s Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel to wipe away any product residue before it dries. Additional application of Ultimate Compound may be required to remove deep and/or stubborn defects.
• 4. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed to complete the rest of the vehicle.
• 5. Follow up with the selected Meguiar’s polish and wax, like Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax.

By Dual Action Polisher or Dual Action Power System:

• 1. Attach the appropriate compounding pad to Meguiar’s Dual Action Power System (G3507) or Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher (W8207).
• 2. Apply a strip of Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound directly onto the pad.
• 3. Place the face of the pad flat on the paint. Turn on the Meguiar’s DA Power System drill or Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher and begin buffing using light to moderate pressure in an overlapping pattern while keeping the pad flat against the paint at all times.
• 4. Work a small section (2’ x 2’) at a time, until the Ultimate Compound starts to turn clear. Apply additional Ultimate Compound as needed until defects have been removed.
• 5. Before moving on to the next section, use Meguiar’s Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel to wipe away any product residue before it dries.
• 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed to complete the rest of the vehicle.
• 7. Follow up with the selected Meguiar’s polish and wax, like Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax. These products are also available as part of Meguiar’s DA Power System Polishing Power Pack and Waxing Power Pack.