The Best Car Wax
The conventional wisdom is that if regularly washing your car with a sponge and soap will keep it in peak condition. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Your car can suffer a ton of wear and tear from a variety of different sources regardless of how often you hand-wash it. Car wax provides an extra coat over your car paint that provides additional protection to your car's exterior that you won't achieve by simply washing it. There are a lot of different waxes out there, but luckily for you, we’ve already separated the winners from the duds in our list of the best car wax online. Read on to find which wax will keep your car spotless.
Shine Armor Car Wax
Wax on, wax off
The pick from Shine Armor is arguably the best car wax that money can buy. With its quick-coat premium formula, this wax has the ability to effectively polish any vehicle without damaging the paint. Additionally, the advanced three-in-one formula provides a waterless wash, coat, and shine, all in one product. Plus, it eliminates any dirt, grime, or grease instantly. Also, Shine Armor’s wax will relieve you from ever have to worry about streaking, smearing, or scratching ever again. The best part is that this wax doesn’t only provide protection to cars — it also can function on boats, motorbikes, RVs, and more.
Pros:
- Multi-function; works on motorcycles, boats, RVs, etc.
- The spray is safe for all surfaces
- Quickly washes grease and grime away
Cons:
- Wax could prevent water spot more effectively
Chemical Guys Butter Wet Car Wax
Glow up
As far as classics go, this choice from Chemical Guys just so happens to be one of our favorites. First of all, the formula is 100% carnauba-based. This formulation makes it very simple to apply. The carnauba palm wax is blended with a variety of lubricant agents in order to give your car a whole new level of shine. What separates Chemical Guys’ wax from the rest of the competitors is the application process. Most car waxes must be applied away from direct sunlight, but this isn’t the case with this wax spray; it can be applied in direct sunlight without fear of damaging your car.
Pros:
- Carnauba-based formula produces optimal shine
- UVA and UVB protection
- Can be applied in direct sunlight
Cons:
- A bit too expensive
Turtle Wax Ceramic Spray Coating Car Wax
Rise and shine
Since this wax is made with superhydrophobic polymers, it can repel water and provide chemical-resistant protection for up to 12 months. The bright mirror-like shine that it gives off enhances your vehicle’s color and finish by reducing water spots and contaminants. Last but not least, it can be applied on any exterior surface of your car including headlights, trims, and wheels.
Pros:
- Wax functions on all surfaces
- Chemical protection for up to a year
- Spray features a pleasant, fruity fragrance
Cons:
- Still leaves a few streaks
Torque Detail Mirror Shine Car Wax
Refreshing reflection
This option from Torque is the most car wax convenient available and easiest to apply. All you need to do is simply spray on the wax and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. Within an instant, you can see your car’s exterior transform into a mirror-like reflective surface with the brightest shine. Another convenient trait of this wax is that with just one application, it can protect your car for up to six months at a time. Additionally, the polymer formula blends with your car paint to give it a brand new polished look. Finally, the hydrophobic design enables this wax to repel water and snow.
Pros:
- Hydrophobic formulation prevents water spots
- Protects your car for up to six months
- The polymer-based formula gives paint a glass-like shine
Cons:
- Spray trigger could be easy to use
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wax
Crystal clear
This car wax from Meguiar’s offers you the best bang for your buck. Along with affordability, this wax also provides top-notch quality. Meguiar’s Gold Class wax is a special blend of carnauba and polymers that is safe and effective for nearly any kind of paint. Plus, the enhanced formula creates a captivating shine and reflection, unlike any other wax. Another great benefit of this wax is that it’s very simple to use since it comes included with a soft foam applicator. It also offers versatility as it can be applied by hand or with a dual-action polisher machine.
Pros:
- Can be applied by hand or machine
- The improved formula creates incredibly bright shine
- Soft foam applicator simplifies the application
Cons:
- This wax can irritate your nose and sinuses
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my car for waxing?
First, you want to hand wash your car. It’s important your car is clean and totally dry before applying any wax. Next, you want to treat any scratches and paint damage. We recommend covering your hand in a plastic bag and running it across the car’s surface to search for any rough areas. Lastly, you are going to want to find a good location to wax your car. The ideal place would be your garage as you typically don’t want your car in direct sunlight when waxing.
What is the best time of day to wax my car?
We would suggest that you wax your car during the evening. This prevents any exposure to direct sunlight after the wax is applied. Waxing in the evening also allows the wax to dry overnight. Professional detailers say that the ideal temperature to wax your car is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.