To evaluate the best car waxes, we examined dozens of products, evaluating them on factors such as shine quality, durability, ease of applying and removal, and value. We also consulted Igor Pomishchyk, owner of EcoStates Elite Car Detail in New York. “I always look for a car wax containing the traditional blend of natural carnauba wax with beeswax to produce a deep shine and glossy result,” Igor says, adding that other waxes also contain special polymers and resins to enhance the shine. Here are our choices for the best car wax for every type of vehicle. Lasting up to six months, this spray-type wax is easy to apply. A little goes a long way, so you can expect the 18-ounce bottle to provide up to six treatments, depending on the size of your vehicle. To apply it best, work in 2-inch sections, spritzing on the wax, wiping it in, using a lint-free cloth, then buffing it with the cloth’s reverse side. The manufacturer recommends applying this popular car wax only if the car’s exterior is cool enough to comfortably rest your hand on. Many have found that it works most effectively if the paint is not warm at all. Ideally, you should apply it in a garage or other shady spot—never outdoors in hot sun. Price at time of publish: $20 The formula is based on zinc cross-linking polymer emulsions. It’s technically a polish, since the formula contains no wax. However, it accomplishes the same goal: provide luster and all-weather protection for your car’s exterior. The manufacturer claims it lasts for up to a year, much longer than conventional car wax formulas that break down when exposed to the elements. Price at time of publish: $8 Banish thoughts of a runny mess when using a liquid car wax: This product’s thin formula spreads easily, by hand or with a polisher, followed by buffing with a soft, microfiber cloth. That’s sufficient to help protect your paint against fading, as well as repel water, and create a slick surface to repel bird droppings, pine tar, and other substances. Professional detailer Igor Pomishchyk recommends that you use a clay bar to get rid of all contaminants and make the body very smooth before adding wax. “I find that when you do this, the wax will last longer and attach better because the surface is smooth after the clay bar treatment,” he says. Price at time of publish: $20 This car wax spray combines surfactants and a ceramic-coating formula to get your car cleaner and shinier. Spritz on Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat and use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe it off. You needn’t worry about overspray on your tires, trim, or mirrors because the product leaves no film and provides moisture-beading protection to those areas. Price at time of publish: $23 Like other carnauba-based wax formulas, this paste wax from Meguiar’s delivers high-shine results and shields your vehicle from bird droppings, tree sap, and precipitation. You can expect a month or more of protection; less in hot, humid locations. Price at time of publish: $15 The tinted formula is this Meguiar’s wax best attribute, but not the only one. Its deep shine makes black, navy, or other dark paint colors glisten. The paste wax is easy to apply from a tube, using the included applicator. For best use, apply it to the entire vehicle, wait for it to dry, then buff it off using a microfiber or terry towel. Price at time of publish: $7 However, this product doesn’t offer UV protection for paint, as you find in some polymer-carnauba car wax blends. It also lacks an included applicator, but you can apply it by hand using a foam applicator or with a machine. Price at time of publish: $42 Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, you need only apply this quick wax to a freshly, washed wet vehicle to protect the paint while reducing drying time as you towel-dry your vehicle. Expect to reapply this product with some regularity; however, the 26-ounce bottle provides for multiple applications. Price at time of publish: $13 Using a proprietary formula of abrasives, this product reduces or removes imperfections in vehicle paint, including scratches, swirls, and oxidation. Polishing agents within the formula enhance shine, while a protective coating seals the paint. You also can use this product on glass and plastic. It doesn’t impart the same high-gloss shine as some leading car waxes, but it’s an excellent step in reducing visible imperfections while protecting the exterior from further damage. Price at time of publish: $24 Optimum Car Wax comes in a convenient spray bottle, so applying it is a breeze. Plus, one spritz goes a long way—you can easily coat your hood, trunk, or doors with just a few sprays. And creating a lustrous shine doesn’t require very much elbow grease. Price at time of publish: $53 As a hybrid polish, it contains synthetic ingredients and a high concentration of Brazilian carnauba wax. The smooth, reflective finish makes it ideal for white cars. Aside from white vehicles, non-abrasive Collinite Auto Wax is suitable for buffing virtually any color of exterior paint, as well as bumpers and exhaust shields. If you usually park outside, you can count on the highly protective barrier to defend your car from various outdoor elements. Price at time of publish: $21 But what really makes this wax stand out is that, unlike many car polishes, you can use it in both hot or cold climates. No matter the season or temperature outside, you’re left with a sleek coat that effectively masks any paint imperfections. Price at time of publish: $22
Ingredients
Waxes typically consist of synthetic polymers, carnauba wax, or a mixture of the two. Carnauba wax is derived from the fronds of the carnauba palm tree, which grows in Brazil. The oil protects the fronds from drying out. Carnauba oil makes a product easier to apply but may not be as long lasting, Synthetic materials can prolong the product’s protection time.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Erica Puisis, a home and lifestyle writer who has been researching the latest products for indoor and outdoor living for The Spruce since 2017. To find the best car wax options, she considered spray, paste, and liquid formulas. Each product was compared based on its ease of application, length of protection, and overall performance and shine. Her personal experience with car wax products along with customer reviews also factored into the research process. For additional insight, Erica spoke with Igor Pomishchyk, owner of EcoStates Elite Car Detail in New York. As a detailer with experience, Igor spoke about the best ingredients to look for in a car wax, the advantages of various formula types, and whether or not car wax removes scratches.
