Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is a pure car polish, designed for maximum correction, while still being totally clear-coat safe. I put it to the test to see how well it performs.
Sizes available: 15.02 fl. oz (450ml). RRP: $11.89, buy here / £18.70, buy here.
How I tested Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
I prepped my trusty test sunroof panel, by washing and then claying it. This ensures there is no wax or coating left. After drying, I used my gloss meter to take an average gloss reading. I then applied Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound using a dual-action polisher, carrying out four sets of four alternating passes. After wiping off any remaining product, I took another set of average gloss readings. Finally, I used my inspection light to carry out a visual check of the surface.
I should also note that this was part of a wider group test where I put the best polishes on the market against each other. If you want to see the results of that, have a read of my guide to the best car polishes.
What Meguiar’s says
Meguiar’s pitches Ultimate Compound as a polish that will tackle pretty much anything you throw at it. Its abrasive technology quickly removes stubborn oxidation, stains, bird-dropping blemishes and other sub-surface defects. At the same time, it polishes the surface to a mirror finish. Unlike traditional rubbing and polishing compounds that scour the surface, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound features clear coat-safe micro-abrasives. They have been designed to produce an amazingly clear finish that is free from scratches, hazing and swirls. And it can be applied by hand or is a DA polisher. With no fillers or wax, I’m expecting to see some serious cut and impressive shine.
What it’s like to use Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is very nice to use. It spreads well and goes a long way. It didn’t feel too wet under the pad, but there was quite a lot of sling. This means there was product residue spraying onto the surrounding test sections. This is always annoying because it means more wiping around an area you’re polishing, and wiping areas you’ve already polished.
However, I have no complaints about the performance. In terms of pure correction, this is the best polish I have tested. It delivered a stunning clear finish on the test panel with jaw-dropping reflections. Using the inspection lamp, the test section looked virtually flawless, with Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound making light work of all surface imperfections. However, in terms of gloss increase, it performed poorly, with the lowest increase I’ve measured. This is understandable as Ultimate Compound is designed for correction rather than being an AIO or fine polish.
Gloss meter results and verdict
- Gloss reading before: 83.5
- Gloss reading after: 87.7
- Gloss increase: 4.2
If you’re looking for a serious compound that will deliver incredibly impressive results, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is my product of choice. It did an amazing job of getting rid of surface imperfections, leaving behind a stunning finish. However, the gloss meter revealed that other polishes I tested delivered more shine. But if I was looking to just correct a car’s paint with a view to further refining it with a polish afterwards, Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound would be my choice. And, to be honest, it looks so good to the naked eye that I don’t know if you’d bother with further polishing. Other polishes might deliver better numbers, but Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound delivers real results.
Sizes available: 15.02 fl. oz (450ml). RRP: $11.89, buy here / £18.70, buy here.
