3M Perfect It Buffing and Polishing Kit - Professional Paint Finish

Our review of the 3M Perfect It Buffing and Polishing Kit finds it aimed squarely at collision repair shops and serious enthusiasts who need a complete, progressive system for paint correction. The kit combines three stage compounds and polishes designed to work together to remove P1200-or-finer sanding marks, eliminate compound and machine polish swirls, and deliver a showroom-grade finish. Paired with a KangarooBands microfiber cloth for cleanup, this kit's biggest selling point is the engineered sequence of fast-cutting compound, machine polish, and ultrafine polish that saves time while improving final gloss and defect removal.

Key Features

• Three-stage finishing system: The bundled rubbing compound, machine polish, and ultrafine polish are formulated to be used progressively for reliable paint correction and deep gloss.
• Fast-cutting rubbing compound: The 36060 rubbing compound removes fine grade P1200 or finer sand scratches and small surface defects on modern clear coats without becoming sticky in heat.
• Machine polish performance: The 06094 machine polishing compound reduces compound swirl marks while staying wet longer to use less product and cut cleanup time.
• Ultrafine final polish: The 06068 ultrafine polish removes ultrafine machine polish swirls even on dark vehicles, leaving a refined, low-swap finish.
• Cleanup cloth included: The KangarooBands microfiber cloth absorbs residue and excess while resisting lint, simplifying final wipe-downs after polishing.

Who It's For

This kit is best for professional body shops, detailers, and experienced DIYers who perform paint correction and need a matched system that reduces trial-and-error between steps. The three staged products and a quality microfiber make it suitable for restoring paint after collision repair or aggressive wet sanding.

Those looking for a single-step polish, a small travel-sized kit, or tools for annual light maintenance may find the set more than required. Novices without access to a polishing machine should consider a simpler polish-only option before investing in a full compounding workflow.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Complete, system-matched compounds and polishes that work together to produce showroom-grade finishes.
• Products formulated to stay wet longer and hold on the pad, reducing sling and waste during machine work.
• Effective on modern harder clear coats and dark colors when used in sequence, yielding deep color and gloss.
• Includes a thick, low-lint microfiber cloth for cleaner final wipes and less residue.

Cons

• Not a single-step solution; achieving best results requires using all three stages and some polishing experience.
• Kit components are quart-size containers which may be more than needed for light hobby use.

Specifications

System	3M Perfect-It EX complete repair and paint finishing system
Included rubbing compound	36060 3M rubbing compound, 1 quart
Included machine polish	06094 3M machine polishing compound, 1 quart
Included ultrafine polish	06068 3M ultrafine machine polish, 1 quart
Cloth	KangarooBands microfiber cloth, thick and low-lint
Target defects	P1200-or-finer sand scratches, compound and polish swirls

Our Verdict

The 3M Perfect It Buffing and Polishing Kit is a practical choice for professionals and serious detailers who need a matched, progressive polishing workflow. It delivers tangible time savings through longer working time and reduced sling, and the included microfiber makes final cleanup simpler, making it good value for those who will use all three stages routinely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this kit remove P1200 sanding marks?
Yes. The 36060 rubbing compound is formulated to remove P1200-or-finer sand scratches when used as the compounding stage.

Will the system work on dark or black paint?
Yes. The 06068 ultrafine machine polish is designed to remove ultrafine swirls on dark colors and improve final gloss.

Is the microfiber cloth safe for final wipe-downs?
Yes. The included KangarooBands microfiber cloth is thick, absorbent, and designed not to shed lint or damage painted surfaces.