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When you wash and wax your car, you’re not only bringing out its natural beauty. You’re providing protection from the elements and prolonging its life. To do this properly, you need the best car wax for the job.
So today, we’re going to share with you 10 of our top picks for taking care of your ride. We feel that these are the best of the best and sure to keep that paint job looking shiny and new. Before we get to our rankings, check out a couple of waxes that stood out from all the rest.
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When it comes to the best overall, nothing is quite like Collinite’s No. 845 Insulator. This wax is legendary for its versatility and many uses. It protects like few other waxes can, and it’s a breeze to apply. Even more impressive is that you have to use it only twice a year!
Following close behind is Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax. It’s a close runner-up with its beautiful finish and protection. Your ride will shine like never before and reflect like a mirror.
We have plenty more waiting, so let’s get to it. Each entry is special in its own way. We’re confident you’re going to find the right wax for your vehicle after reading our reviews.
Collinite’s Insulator wax is an industry standard that is used in a long line of applications. From heavy machinery to airplanes, it is sought after thanks to its high level of protection.
This paste is famous for its versatility. Not only will it bring out the shine you’re looking for in your vehicle, but it will protect equipment from all kinds of damage. When applied to a vehicle, it works to effectively fight off road grime, dirt, oil, rain, and a whole lot more.
Over time, it’s been discovered that No. 845 Insulator is the best wax for vehicles that are painted white. Its ability to repel liquid and debris is in a class of its own. Even better, once you apply it, you can forget about it for 6 months.
That’s right, this is a twice-a-year wax product. If you’re one of those who just doesn’t enjoy waxing your ride, you should most definitely give Collinite a try.
What’s even more incredible is all the different things you can use it on. Some people use it on their headlights. It also makes a great precursor to buffing out scratches in your paint.
Easy on, easy off. Collinite’s versatile Insulator wax is a fine choice regardless of your experience level. It’s long-lasting, too. You won’t need to wax your vehicle nearly as often as most other brands.
Meguiar’s is one of the most trusted and selected car waxes, and there’s a good reason for that. As its ‘Ultimate’ name suggests, this wax is indeed some truly impressive stuff. If you’re looking for protection, Meguiar’s will do the trick.
It works by providing a protective layer over your car’s paint. This layer fights off rain, mud, road debris, and more. It also repels harmful and damaging UV rays from the sun. The end result is your ride lasting longer, diminishing the chances of damage.
In our tests, water beaded right off of the car. And we all know the less water has a chance to set in, the less likely we are to see rust. Regardless of what kind of vehicle you’re driving, you want to reduce damage to the body for as long as you can.
Waxing regularly (every 3 months) will help to extend the life of your vehicle and keep its value high. Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax will help you do just that. It’s an easy wax to apply, requiring much less effort than many others.
We like using Meguiar’s because it doesn’t smell too strong and it’s easy to work with. Obviously, applying wax properly is an art and takes some practice. The good news is that if you’re new to waxing, Meguiar’s includes tips and a guide to help you along the way.
Price-wise, we’re pretty comfortable paying what Meguiar’s asks. We’ve seen some really expensive waxes that don’t do near as well a job as Meguiar’s Ultimate. The care and protection your car is getting only solidifies its value.
If you’re looking for an easy wax to apply, you’ll be happy with Meguiar’s. Thanks to the included application guide, you’ll be well on your way to a shiny and happy car. It’s important to note that while synthetic waxes typically last longer, this seems to have a shorter life to it.
Much of how it is applied certainly comes into play. But we found it to be slightly less than some others. Still, the level of protection and shine are second to none.
As where Meguiar’s is a synthetic wax, Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax uses a traditional carnauba. We absolutely love the shine this brings out. Carnauba waxes typically don’t last as long as synthetics, but we were pleased with Chemical Guys.
If you’re looking for protection, you might want to look elsewhere. Butter Wet Wax is strictly meant to turn heads. And boy, what a fine job it does of that. Our car shined like a new dime, beaming from bumper to bumper.
If you’re a beginner to waxing in general, you may want to start with this one. It’s made for easy application. There’s very little hazing or fighting to get the right shine. Your ride’s natural beauty will immediately bleed through.
Another huge benefit is the wait time. Many waxes require time to set in. Not so with Butter Wet Wax. You can wipe it off right after you apply it. It’s quick, easy, and effective. Furthermore, this wax has some of its best results when applied after a washing.
Don’t dry your car; leave it wet. Then apply the Butter Wet Wax to reveal a brilliant, radiant glow like you’ve never seen. It’s pretty wild how well this works on wet surfaces. This is usually unheard of with car wax, but it sure works well here.
Another huge plus for the uninitiated is that this wax won’t stain your vehicle. So if you tend to have trouble staying in the lines, no worries. You don’t need to use a whole lot to get great results.
The price is right, it’s easy to use, and it makes your ride shine. What more could you want? Oh, and it has a very pleasant smell. If you have trouble with harsh chemicals, you should definitely look into Butter Wet Wax.
Just a couple of quick wipes and you’ll be all set. It’s mistake-proof, too. So you don’t have to worry about messing up and staining your car. It’s nice to be able to take this with you to the car wash and apply it right after you spray down.
Aero delivers another highly-versatile wax that can be applied both wet and dry. It costs a little bit more than Chemical Guys’ Butter Wet, but the principle is the same. Wash Wax ALL is a synthetic blend, however. So instead of having a short-acting wax, you’re getting much more longevity.
After you have applied it to your vehicle, the wax leaves behind a protective barrier that blocks UV rays. Since it lasts longer, you don’t have to apply it as often as, say, a carnauba wax. Plus, you get 128 ounces to work with. This gives you enough to do up to 50 individual waxes.
In our tests, we found the Wash Wax ALL to be easy to apply and even easier to wipe off. There’s no ammonia or alcohol, leaving you with a safe, effective shine and protection. There’s less rubbing, as it removes very quickly.
Aero’s Wash Wax ALL is hands-down one of the easiest of car waxes to use. You need little to no experience working with waxes. It will give you both the protection and shine you want with as little work as possible.
Application is a breeze, regardless of your experience. Simply spray the stuff on and wipe it right off. It’s that easy. The coating left behind is non-stick and will work immediately in protecting your ride.
You can use Aero’s wax on more than just cars. It’s great for RVs, boats, and even aircraft! Now that’s some serious business.
P21S costs a little more considering how little you get. But if you want a long-lasting shine that runs deep, this is the wax for you. This beeswax-based formula works to bring out your car’s natural luster.
If your paint often looks rather dull and lifeless, P21S will breathe new life into your ride. Many car owners turn to this effective wax for results that speak for themselves. If your ride needs a makeover, this is the right wax for the job.
You can expect to get around a dozen or so applications from the little container. At 6.2 ounces, it’s true that there isn’t a lot of wax included. However, we found that a little bit goes a long way, delivering a quality shine and plenty of protection.
It’s a bit pricey, but for what it does for your vehicle, it’s well worth the investment. It’s a very easy wax to work with, and does wonders for dull paint jobs.
When applying P21S to your vehicle, it’s best to let the wax sit for a minute or two before wiping it off. There’s no haze left behind, leaving your ride looking fresh and new. It’s really quite incredible how slick this wax makes your car’s body after application.
Meguiar’s makes our list again, this time with some Gold Class. This carnauba wax is some of the best premium waxes you can buy today. What makes it so special is that it is combined with synthetics, as well.
This results in a truly incredible wax job that lasts. The added polymers work to provide your vehicle with a safe and effective layer of protection. Damaging UV rays and harsh weather conditions won’t have any effect thanks to Meguiar’s special blend.
This combination of natural and synthetic also works to keep your paint safe and looking beautiful. It is also very friendly to clear coats, so you can use it every time you wax your vehicle without fear of damage.
We really like the results of this special paste. Many owners swear by its quality finish, making it one of the better choices for serious car enthusiasts.
With the Gold Class bundle, you get 11 ounces of the premium paste wax, a foam pad for application, and a microfiber cloth for buffing.
If you’re not familiar with applying wax, you might struggle with Gold Class. The paste wax can be a tedious process if you’ve never used it before. Stick with it and you’ll be pleased with the outcome.
Meguiar’s is back again, offering up their DeepCrystal liquid carnauba wax. This affordable option goes on easily and buffs out with a little elbow grease. It does have a couple of shortcomings that keep it from excelling higher, but it’s great in a pinch.
We were pleased with the outcome of this liquid. After buffing, our car looked bright and reflective. You may want to apply two coats for best results, especially if you’re dealing with a dull paint job.
We have two main gripes with DeepCrystal liquid wax. One, it just doesn’t last very long. You’ll soon find your car’s shine fading, requiring you to apply another coat. We had to wax every other week to sustain our car’s luster.
And two, there is some hazing to fight with here and there. We’ve certainly seen a lot worse, but it’s enough to tack on more time spent waxing. And since you’ll have to wax more frequently, this adds up rather quickly.
Applying DeepCrystal is a breeze. It goes on really smoothly and quickly. But when it’s time to buff, hazing can cause you some delays in completing your work. You’ll have to wax more often, but the shine and protection it provides is excellent.
If you hate dealing with wiping and buffing, you’re going to love Optimum. This long-lasting formula goes on by simply spraying it all over your car. Once saturated, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth for a quality shine.
It’s safe to use on all paint finishes and won’t harm your clear coat, either. You can even use it on glass and chrome if you like. Others use it to clean their plastic trim. It’s that versatile.
It’s really affordable and works well enough if you don’t want to deal with a detailed wax job. Optimum says their spray lasts for up to 5 months, but you’ll likely want to reapply it much sooner. It tends to lose its luster pretty quickly. And it doesn’t offer near the protection of other entries.
Thanks to its easy spray on formula, you can have your vehicle waxed in a matter of minutes. And since it is multi-purpose, you can use it to clean the rest of your ride’s exterior, as well.
Griot’s Garage offers their spray-on version for quick and painless waxing. It costs only slightly more than Optimum’s spray-on wax, but you get a lot more to work with here.
You can apply this wax while your car is either wet or dry. It works best as a temporary fix until you can spend the time to give your car a proper waxing.
Griot’s wax isn’t going to last very long at all. You’ll want to use this to give your car a quick shine for a night out. But that’s about all the use you’ll get out of it.
It loses its luster really quickly, but at least it looks nice while it lasts. It does contain a base of carnauba wax, so your car will have that just-waxed look for a little while.
As you can imagine, you’re not going to be getting much protection from this spray-on wax. It simply doesn’t last long enough to do any good. Plus, with only a base product, there’s very little meant for protection.
Your best bet is to throw this in your trunk and use it in emergencies. It’s great for a quick spray from time to time.
Simply spray down your ride and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. The results look great for a while, but you’ll soon need to apply another coat to get that just-waxed look back. Use this only as a temporary fix. If you expect any more, you will be sorely disappointed.
There are multiple factors that contribute to one’s choice when it comes to car wax. We will take you through everything you need to know before making a purchase.
Nobody enjoys wasting time. You wouldn’t want to spend an hour waxing your car only to learn that you have made an error that is going to take even more time to correct. Nobody would!
You should never avoid waxing your car. Unfortunately, some people claim that it isn’t necessary to wax a car. But, those are the individuals you see in dirty, unkempt, scratched cars. When you drive your car, you don’t want people to turn their heads for the wrong reasons.
Here is why you should be serious about waxing your car.
There are three forms of wax that are most commonly used. Each one of them suits particular needs, so it’s important to know more about them.
A couple of factors need to be considered before you purchase a new car wax.
People polish a car when it has scratches, tiny dents, and other imperfections. The tiniest scratch can be very visible. When the Sun’s light rays hit the surface of your car, they are reflected. But, when light rays hit a scratch, they get reflected at a different angle that makes them stand out from the rest of the vehicle.
Car polishes remove dirt and scratches, and they are applied before the wax. But, they don’t provide protection.
While very similar to polishing, waxing provides a layer of protection to the surface of your car. So, it is important to both polish and wax a vehicle that is damaged. If a vehicle is not damaged, then only waxing should be performed.
No!
There is no factual basis for the claim that specific make of a car requires one kind of wax. Paints applied by different manufacturers don’t have a wax that they favor. If you ever see a company marketing car wax for a specific make or model of a car, then avoid that company.
Car waxing may seem complicated at a first glance. But, as soon as you finish doing it for the first time, you will understand how simple it is.
If you still aren’t sure how to properly wax your car, then watch the following video: