Don’t Ruin Your Project at the Finish Line
You’ve poured your epoxy resin, waited 48 hours for it to cure, and demolded your piece. But instead of a crystal-clear masterpiece, you’re looking at a cloudy, dull surface. Don’t panic you didn’t fail. You just haven’t finished yet.
The secret to transforming that dull surface into a dazzling, glass-like finish isn’t magic; it’s polishing. But asking “what are some good polishers for epoxy resin?” yields a confusing mix of answers.
In this 2025 Buyer’s Guide, we break down the definitive system: the machine you need (to save your arms) and the compounds that pros use to get that “wet look.”
🛍️ QUICK SHOPPING LIST: The “Mirror Finish” Kit Don’t want to read? Here is the exact setup pros use:
- The Machine: Random Orbital Polisher
- The Compound: 3M Perfect-It EX AC Rubbing Compound
- The Sandpaper: Assorted Wet/Dry Sandpaper Pack (400-3000 Grit)
Part 1: The Tool (Stop Polishing by Hand!)
Can you polish resin by hand? Yes, for tiny jewelry. For anything else (coasters, charcuterie boards, river tables), hand polishing is a waste of time and rarely achieves a true gloss.
The Game Changer: VEVOR Dual Action Polisher
If you want professional results without the $300 price tag of big-name brands, the 6-Inch Random Orbital Polisher is the Black Friday MVP.
- Why it works: It’s a “Dual Action” (DA) polisher, meaning it spins and oscillates. This prevents you from burning the resin (a common mistake with rotary drills).
- The Benefit: It cuts polishing time by 90%. What takes an hour by hand takes 5 minutes with this machine.
- Deal Alert: Check the Black Friday Price on Vevor. It’s often cheaper than a set of high-end hand pads!
Part 2: The Best Polishing Compounds for Epoxy Resin
A machine is useless without the right liquid. Here are the top 3 compounds tested by resin artists.
1. The Gold Standard: 3M Perfect-It System
This is what automotive detailers use on luxury cars.
- Best For: Large surfaces like River Tables.
- How to use: It’s a multi-step system, but even just the Rubbing Compound (Step 1) followed by the Machine Polish (Step 2) gives a flawless result.
- Verdict: Expensive, but worth every penny for a showroom finish.
2. The Budget Hero: Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
Found in any auto parts store or on Amazon.
- Best For: Beginners and medium projects.
- Why we love it: It uses “micro-abrasive” technology to cut fast and finish smooth in one step. It removes oxidation and cloudiness instantly.
3. For Small Crafts: Flitz Polish Paste
- Best For: Jewelry and small silicone mold pieces.
- Application: Excellent for hand-buffing small details where a machine won’t fit. It’s non-toxic and eco-safe.
Part 3: The Process (Sanding is Key)
You cannot polish a rough surface. Polishing is only the final step. If you skip sanding, you will just have shiny scratches.
The “Rule of Grits” Workflow:
- Wet Sanding: Start with 400 grit sandpaper and water. Sand until flat.
- Move Up: Progress through 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and finally 2000 or 3000 grit.
- Wipe: Clean the surface with Isopropyl Alcohol. It should look smooth but frosty/matte.
- The Polish: Now, apply your 3M Compound to the Polisher pad.
- Buff: Work in a cross-hatch pattern (up-down, left-right) at medium speed until the compound disappears and the shine emerges.
PRO TIP: Protecting Your Finish
Once you have that shine, keep it.
- Avoid: Ammonia-based cleaners (like Windex) they cloud the resin over time.
- Use: A simple “Ceramic Spray Wax” (like used for cars) adds a layer of protection against fingerprints and UV yellowing.
FAQ: Resin Polishing Solutions
Q: What can I polish epoxy resin with?
A: For machine polishing (recommended), use a Dual Action Polisher with a foam pad and an automotive compound like 3M Perfect-It or Meguiar’s. For hand polishing small items, a microfiber cloth and a plastic polish like PlastX work well.
Q: Why is my resin cloudy after sanding?
A: This is normal! Sanding scratches the surface to flatten it. The cloudiness disappears only when you reach the polishing stage (buffing compound) or if you apply a fresh topcoat.
Q: Can I use a drill to polish resin?
A: You can use a buffing attachment on a drill, but be careful. Drills spin at high RPMs and can create “hot spots” that melt or burn the epoxy. A dedicated Random Orbital Polisher is safer and gives a more even finish.
What can I polish epoxy resin with?
You can polish epoxy resin with a variety of tools and compounds. For hand polishing, use a clean microfiber cloth with a plastic-safe polishing compound (like Meguiar’s PlastX). For machine polishing, use a dual-action or rotary polisher with foam pads and a more aggressive automotive or marine polishing compound (like the 3M Perfect-It system).
What kind of polish is best for resin?
The best kind of polish for resin is a fine-grit abrasive compound designed for plastics, acrylics, or automotive clear coats. These polishes are specifically formulated to remove fine scratches and haze without being too harsh on the resin surface. Avoid polishes with waxes that can cause cloudiness.
How to make epoxy look shiny?
There are two main ways to make epoxy look shiny. The first and easiest way is to pour a final, thin “flood coat” of fresh epoxy over your cured piece. The second, more professional way is to sand and polish it. This involves sanding the surface with progressively finer grits of wet/dry sandpaper (up to 2000 or 3000 grit) and then buffing it with a high-quality polishing compound
How do I get a smooth finish with epoxy?
To get a perfectly smooth finish, you must first ensure your piece cures on a perfectly level surface in a dust-free environment. After it has fully cured, the key to smoothness is sanding. Wet-sanding with a series of increasingly fine-grit sandpapers (from 400 up to 2000+) will remove any imperfections and create a flawlessly smooth surface, ready for the final polish.
