Alexandra Ramirez
1. Meguiar
Best Overall Car Wax
5/5 Product Rating
If you’re simply looking for a great all around wax, you’ll easily appreciate what the Gold Class Carnauba has to offer. However, its strengths will be much more apparent if you’re looking for an easy way to dramatically increase the aesthetic appeal of your car. It has a quick drying time, it’s relatively easy to apply and it gives a great shine and reflection every time. For getting your car looking as good as new, look no further than the Gold Class Carnauba.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Car Guys
Best Overall Car Wax – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
While Car Guys may not be the most precise wax in terms of application (it is, in fact, liquid), you’ll likely find it to be less of a hassle overall, being that it lasts a long time and future applications will likely be spread out quite a bit. My personal favorite aspect of this wax is its superior and long-lasting protection when stacked up to nearly every other wax on the market. It’s nice knowing that you car will remain protected from its last coating of wax, even if you haven’t found the time to apply a newer coat in the last little while.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Chemical Guys
Best Budget Car Wax
4.6/5 Product Rating
One area where it truly sets itself apart from other car waxes is in its application. If you’ve used other car waxes before and find yourself switching to the WAC20116 at some point or another, you will most definitely be pleased with the amount of time and effort you’ll save through applying the wax. Despite its extremely easy application process, it still does a great job in terms of making your car look as good as new, as well as keeping it looking as good as new through its good overall level of protection. It is a well-rounded wax at a very agreeable price.
– Jonathan Maxwell
Car Wax Buying Guide
What is a Car Wax?
Unlike hair products or windshield wash, going into car wax shopping with the right mindset and the right set of knowledge can translate to up to thousands of dollars in savings. Being that the vast majority of us have spent five figures on our last car purchase, not knowing which type of car wax is best able to take care of your car can be a rather frightening ordeal. As such, it helps to take the time to do a bit of online research prior to picking up the car wax you end up deciding to go with.
This being the case, the following review will aim to illustrate just what it is that makes a car wax worth your money. We’ll look at several characteristics to look for in the perfect wax, how one wax varies from another and three examples of what could easily be considered the best car waxes on the market. But first, it seems suitable to take a quick rundown on car wax as a whole.
Of course, you needn’t feel limited to the above three brands of car wax. There are a wide variety of similar products on the market from which you may choose. Before doing so; however, take a look at the following list of factors which should be considered before settling on a final purchase.
What’s more important; a nice shine or great protection?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. While the vast majority of car waxes can offer you a nice shine and an extra level of protection, some will focus more on one than the other. You’ll want to know just what it is you’re trying to achieve before going into shopping.
How often are you willing to wax your car?
Each car wax has different requirements. While some will have you applying coats on a fairly regular basis, some will last for quite some time before a new coat needs to be applied.
Is a large convenience factor important to you?
While some waxes can be applied with little concentration or effort whatsoever, others will demand a bit more of your attention. Know how much time you’re willing to put in before buying a wax.
Types of Car Wax
There are several types of car wax available on the market which usually fall into one of three main categories: solid wax, liquid wax and paste. Each type has its own pros and cons. Do you know which type you need?
- Liquid Wax – Liquid wax is by far the easiest to apply to your car. It will often come in a spray bottle of sorts which may resemble that of an indoor Febreeze container. Of course, coating your car with such a wax is a very easy process. On the other hand, it may be easier to miss any given nook or cranny on your car’s exterior with the wax, being that it is much less precise.
- Solid Wax – If you don’t mind taking a bit of extra time in the hopes of coming out with better results, solid wax is the car wax for you. While it may not be as easy as using a spray bottle, you’ll be able (and required) to pay more attention to every little detail.
- Paste – When liquid wax seems too sloppy and solid wax seems like too much of a hassle, paste is sure to give you what you’re looking for. While solid wax and liquid wax sit on either side of the spectrum, paste sits right in the middle.
Common Car Wax Features
As you can see, the rate at which any given car wax varies from the next can actually be quite large. Typically, each type of wax is more suitable for a different type of person. Despite this, there are a few features which everyone should look for in their next car wax, no matter their personal preference or main priorities.
- A Balance – Just because a certain wax doesn’t look nice on a car, this doesn’t mean it compensates by offering a larger degree of protection. While it’s certainly fine to pick a wax which specializes in a way you see fit, you really want something which offers a degree of both protection and
- A Spray Bottle – This only applies to liquid waxes. Assuming you get such a wax, it simply makes no sense not to have a spray bottle.
- A Quick Drying Time – There are absolutely no downsides to a quick drying time. The quicker a wax dries on a car, the better. While it may not be the most important factor to watch out for, it’s certainly a nice bonus.
Conclusion
When it comes to car wax, you really have a whole lot of wiggle room at your disposal in terms of how the wax you pick will end up affecting your car overall. Whether you’re looking for a great shine or whether you’d simply like to save some money in the long run through keeping your car protected from flying debris, picking up a tube or canister of car wax is always a great idea.
Remember, the most important deciding factor in terms of choosing between two different quality car waxes is what your main priority is. Do you want as much protection as is possible or as much shine and reflection as you can get? While every quality car wax will offer a bit of both, it’s not always possible to get the very best of both worlds simultaneously. It’s also a good idea to look out for waxes which feature some of the expected characteristics you just read in the above list.
Keep these considerations in mind when shopping for car wax – whether from the above list or at your local hardware store – and you’re sure to walk away with a well-protected, healthy-looking car in no time at all.
