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The Best Car Waxes For A Beautiful, Shiny Car

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Last Updated: May 3, 2024, 1:01 p.m.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve invested a decent amount of time and money in your car. No matter how old my car is, I still want it to look in tip-top condition. That’s why I give it so much love and attention through maintenance and car washes. Over the years, I found that with a coat of car wax, my car can look its best. Better yet, applying car wax will increase the paint job’s life and even eliminate any light scratches that might’ve accumulated through regular driving.

When shopping for wax, I only want the highest quality. That’s why I did the research and found the best car waxes of 2023 to share with you. I’ve also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you pick the most appropriate one for your ride.

Finding Your Next Car Wax: A Buyer’s Guide

Your car deserves the finest treatment possible. I’m a strong believer in maintaining your vehicle so that it can last as long as possible while still looking great. To help you choose the best wax for your car’s needs, I wrote this handy buyer’s guide below.

Factors to Consider

Type of wax

First things first, what are you looking for? As many different types of waxes are available on the market, you need to know your needs and make the decision appropriately, as other waxes perform different functions and should be used accordingly. Here are some of the most commonly found types and their uses:

Spray wax: This type of wax comes in a spray bottle you can use directly on your car and rub it in. While I like how easy spray wax is to use, it only provides a basic level of protection. I suggest only using it in case of an emergency fix or as a temporary solution before buying a different wax.
Paste wax: The best type is likely paste wax, as evidenced by professionals and detailers who use this. If you’re willing to put a lot of time and research into waxing your car, this wax is the way to go. Although this wax can be expensive, it provides long-term protection and can even eliminate small to medium scratches. To learn how to apply this paste wax, check out this YouTube video.
Liquid wax: Liquid wax lies between paste and spray in terms of quality and efficiency. Although it is not as difficult to apply as paste, it still requires a decent amount of attention. The level of protection provided also doesn’t rise to that of paste wax. However, I find it much better than spray wax, so it’s a good compromise if you don’t have the time for paste.

Color of the vehicle

This may sound trivial, but if you want great results from your car wax, you need to consider the color of your vehicle. Some of the leading waxes on the market are made specifically for lighter or darker colors, and to make sure that your car looks as good as it can, pick a wax appropriate for the color of your vehicle.

Additional tools

It can be quite a hassle to pick up a wax and application tool separately, so why not seek a product that provides all the essential tools in one package? I suggest you pick a product that includes a foam applicator and microfiber cloth to ensure a seamless buffing experience. You can also look for a clay mitt that will allow you to prepare your car for wax application.

Car Waxing Tips Before You Get Started

Read the instructions

Some car waxes come with special instructions; for example, the product might need to sit for a while to haze properly. To make sure that you apply it correctly, I recommend always going through the instruction manual provided with the product.

No circles

Mr. Miyagi lied to us as "wax on, wax off" doesn’t work in real life. It has been proven that the optimal method of applying wax to your car is in a single clear coat with a back-and-forth motion rather than a circular motion.

Get a clay bar kit

Removing any contamination from your car’s exterior before applying the wax is always a good practice and will save you from needing multiple coats of wax. Getting a clay bar kit or a clay mitt will enable you to eliminate all that and prepare your car for waxing.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Adam’S Polishes Car Wax
Amazing Quality: Meguiar's Ceramic Car Wax
Most Versatile: Car Guys Hybrid Car Wax
High Shine Finish: Chemical Guys Butter Wet Car Wax
Quality Spray Wax: Turtle Car Wax
For Professional Use: Collinite Liquid Insulator Car Wax

Reviews

Best Overall

Adam’S Polishes Car Wax

Pros	Cons
Powerful formula for an advanced clean Safe on all vehicle surfaces Pleasing raspberry scent	The sprayer may not function properly over time

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Amazing Quality

Meguiar's Ceramic Car Wax

Pros	Cons
Protects from weather elements Easy to apply for new users Provides six months of protection Uses thin-film technology for a glossy finish	The whole kit is a little pricey

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Most Versatile

Car Guys Hybrid Car Wax

Pros	Cons
Can be used on the interior Nano-tech polymer sealant It leaves an exceptional gloss Easy-to-apply	It may only last a few weeks

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High Shine Finish

Chemical Guys Butter Wet Car Wax

Pros	Cons
It can be applied by hand Lasts for two months Does not leave residue behind 100% organic composition	May need reapplications

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Quality Spray Wax

Turtle Car Wax

Pros	Cons
Easy application due to spray design The smell of the wax is pleasant It can be wiped off easily Wet and dry application	It doesn't last too long

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For Professional Use

Collinite Liquid Insulator Car Wax

Pros	Cons
Requires minimal buffing Comes with an applicator Easy application and removal Heavy duty car wax	The smell isn’t very pleasant

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FAQs

Why should I use car wax?

Car wax allows you to protect your car from the elements and ensure that it will look pristine even after years of use. Washing your car without wax is useless as the car will return to being dirty in a few days, so always ensure cleanliness with good wax.

What is hybrid car wax?

Hybrid car wax works similar to standard car wax and with a formulation that provides additional safety. The different formulation also makes applying the wax easier by using spray foam and more.

How to know if your car needs waxed?

Spray water on your car and watch how the water beads up. If it does so nicely, then your last wax job is still working. If it's splotchy, then it's time for a new wax job.

Is car wax better than car polish?

If you aren't sure if your car needs to be waxed, you can check with the water beading test. Simply spray your car with a hose and look at the water. If the water beads up, your last wax is still holding up. If the water doesn't bead up, you need to reapply wax.

How long does a car wax typically last?

This answer will vary based on the type of wax you use, as well as the environmental conditions your car is regularly exposed to. On average, standard carnauba-based car wax lasts 1-2 months, while ceramic or polymer-based wax can last up to 3 months.