A car can actually be someone’s pride and joy. It can be a symbol of hard work and success. That’s why most of us would do anything just to keep their cars look flawless and extra clean. Let’s take a look on the best car waxes in the market to ensure that your vehicle will achieve ultimate care for a very long time.
Top Pick: Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
The Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax dominates the best car waxes. It has a modern formula that guarantees easier application than most brands. Aside from making surfaces shiny, this product also gives cars protection from harsh sunlight. It also has a sweet, fruity smell that will not put you off before waxing your car. What makes this product even better than the rest is its “wet look” effect on cars. The wet look gives the surface a deeper and richer color no matter how old the paintwork is. The car’s surface will look so shiny that it may look like an actual mirror. Scratches and water stains accumulated ever since will finally be concealed.
Unfortunately, some buyers claim that the effect of Chemical Guys car wax does not last long. However, the effect of any car wax you would use comes down to how well you follow the instructions. Weather and environmental factors can also affect the longevity of the car wax. This product is more on personal maintenance and daily use. That’s why it is so easy to wipe on and off.
Runner-Up: Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax
A little bit cheaper than Chemical Guys, this liquid car wax from the popular brand Meguiar is also easy to use because of ThinFilm technology. This product goes for strong surface tension that aims to stop water and other substances or particles to stick around the car. For example, water just forms into beads and rolls from the surface. This car wax also comes with a high-quality microfiber towel and applicator pad which makes it more convenient for buyers.
Like Chemical Guys car wax, Meguiar also loses its effect faster than other brands. Compared to the previous brand, this car wax also has a less shiny effect. It may be okay for light colors but not great for darker ones, especially black. It still needs other products like clay and detailer to achieve the shiniest look. The Chemical Guys product is also way smoother than Meguiar when it comes to the final feel of the car. Some buyers are really looking for that carnauba wax texture.
Other Products You Should Consider
We choose Chemical Guys’ and Meguiar’s products as two of the best car waxes because they are DIY-friendly. But, there are still other brands in the market that can give you a shinier and cleaner car surface. The only downside is that they are more difficult to remove once the wax goes dry. If you can handle longer hours and harder work, then these products might just be the ones you are looking for.
Collinite No. 476 Super Doublecoat Auto Wax
This product from Collinite is the most expensive one in this list of best car waxes. Aside from the in-demand carnauba wax, this item is also made of synthetic. Its glossy after-effect makes bright colors pop. This car wax gives lasting protection from different substances, proven by how water and soap won’t stick on the surface months after the whole process. It is perfect to use as maintenance in places with harsh weather. It is also effective on other surfaces such as marble bathtub surrounds. Its container may look too small. But, it can wax a couple of big vehicles. One thin layer is already enough.
The ultimate downside of Collinite car wax? Difficult removal. Applying this product requires a lot of time and intense polishing. For a new buyer, it will be either choosing the hard way for long-lasting effect or the easier yet more frequent application.
Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell Paste Wax
This classic car wax brand is the cheapest one here yet the most popular. Turtle Wax is a household name for how many decades already. However, it remains up to this day as one of the best car waxes. Its effect usually lasts for a year. That’s a great feat for a budget-friendly product.
Turtle Wax paste car wax makes surfaces not just shiny but very smooth as well. It is also perfect for any color of paintwork. It strongly protects surfaces from different substances, even from rust.
Unfortunately, some black cars gained white powder all over after the Turtle Wax substance dries out. That’s the risk car wax paste gives. Just one misstep in application of this product also leads to a big hassle during removal. That gets worse when you apply some wax on plastic trims. Some loyal buyers even noticed a change in quality through the years. Still, for a cheap car wax, this product remains hard to beat.
How to Pick the Right Car Wax
Waxing your car can be a tedious job. The average time to finish all the dirty work on your car’s surface is approximately one hour. So, what you can do to alleviate the process is purchasing the perfect car wax for you and your vehicle. The factors that have to be considered here are car wax types, your vehicle’s level of plastic parts, and the product’s compatibility with clear-coat finishes.
Types
There are three major types of car waxes: liquid, paste and spray. Liquid wax aims for gloss and ease of application. It is perfect for you if you want a glossier finish and easier work. On the other hand, paste wax is much more difficult to remove when it dries out. It can also leave powdery residues in some areas of the vehicle.
However, it goes for durability, more thorough cleaning and stronger protection against different substances. Besides, if you’re more patient in product searching, you can definitely find a paste wax that also features easier removal. Lastly, spray waxes are so light and easy to apply because they are made for new cars. They can’t compete with liquid and paste waxes when it comes to durability and cleaning.
Car’s Level of Plastic Parts
Be more cautious when applying wax on the car’s plastic parts such as door trims, body panels and bumpers. It is almost impossible for some car owners to remove the wax from those plastic areas. To totally avoid that, you have to look for a product that is compatible with plastics. Usually, containers include a warning if the wax is harsh on plastic surfaces.
Product’s Compatibility with Clear-Coat Finishes
Waxes are so abrasive that it can be harsh to surfaces with clear coat. When the finish has a lot of fine scratches, the surface would look hazy instead of the clear-coat effect. Most car waxes include on their packaging an indication if it is safe for surfaces with clear coat.
Products mentioned here are just some of the best car waxes. Keep in mind that the product’s ultimate effect still relies on your presence of mind. You really need to read and understand the instructions carefully. You also have to focus during application because you may put too much wax in just one portion. If you have other important things to do for the day, postpone or prioritize waxing your car. Some products dry easily which makes you have a hard time removing the wax if you’re too late.
