If you want to give your car’s paint an extra protective coat, you need car wax. This hardy substance differs from your regular car cleaning products as it adds a protective layer to repel rain and keep it looking smarter for longer. There are hundreds of paint protection products on the market. So, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick out some of the best and how to use them.
Car wax and polish are not the same. They complement each other but are in fact polar opposites. Other than hardcore car enthusiasts, most of us use the two interchangeably. And that’s fair enough because even some product labels get it wrong.
Wax acts as a protectant to your paint. It’s hardy, doesn’t wear off easily and is quite heat-resistant. It doesn’t create the glossy shine one gets from a polish. Carnauba, for example, the most common car wax, has a melting point of over 80°C. There are synthetic alternatives and ceramic coatings too for you to consider. Polish, on the other hand, is abrasive making it the complete opposite of wax. It works to create a shine on your car’s paint by gently removing the top layer of paint protectant in order to get rid of scratches and gloss up dulled colours.
The best car wax 2024 at a glance:
The best car wax: Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax 250ml – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Soft99 Fusso Coat Hard Car Wax – buy from Amazon
Best car wax for efficiency: Gyeon Q2 Wax – buy from Amazon
Ceramic coating is another alternative if you fancy upstaging yourself from regular car wax and adding to your car cleaning kit. But we’re keeping it simple and include an array of solutions. From quick-hit spray wax to products, you’ll need to commit a large chunk of time to use. We’ve stripped away the intimidating mystery of the world of car wax and point you to some of the best products available.
The best car wax 2024
The best car wax
It applies a slightly thicker, more durable coating than a few others on this list. The minor trade-off is that the 250ml won't last as long and takes a little longer to apply. But you get an applicator pad and microfibre cloth included, and the quality of the finish will be great.
Pros
- Provides an effective wax protectant to your paint
- Encourages water beading and repels against dirt
- Great quality finish once applied and buffed
Cons
- Won't last as long as some others
- Car must be in a shaded area before applying
Editor's pick
It's said to also last up to 20 applications, so it's safe to say that you can rely on this same tin for a very long time ahead. However, for the wax to take full effect, you have to ensure the bodywork is completely free of any contaminants and dirt, which requires a thorough process of clay barring as well as a very deep clean.
Pros
- Protection lasts for up to 12-months
- Tin lasts up to 20 applications
- Brings a deep, high gloss to the paint finish as well as the protection
Cons
- Strongly recommended to use clay bar and thorough preparation before use
The best car wax kit
Autoglym says it can protect your bodywork for up to six weeks before re-application is required. This isn't as long as most of the other waxes on this list, but it's reflected in the product's value. However, the kit also comes with two microfibre cloths, which is very handy.
Pros
- Comes with two microfibre cloths
- Represents good value for money compared to some of the paste waxes
- Easy to apply and can be used straight after a wash
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as others (six weeks, tops)
- Isn't quite as thorough as others
Best synthetic wax
It also has hydrophobic polymer technology that increases the surface tension and causes water to bead and roll right off. This makes it harder for dust and dirt to adhere to the bodywork too. You even get an applicator pad and removal towel in the box.
Pros
- Easy to apply and can be done in the sunlight
- Safe to apply on most paint types and clear coats
- Very glossy once applied and buffed
Cons
- At £35, most of the others represent better value
Best budget liquid wax
It represents great value for money, too. At just £8, it's very competitively priced compared to most of the products on this list. The fact that you get up to three months' worth of protection makes it a great wax for beginners, too.
Pros
- Great value for money at just £8
- Effective at ironing out swirls and light scratches
- Easy to apply and lasts up to three months
Cons
- Quality of the finish not as on-par as the others
The best wax for water repellence
Gyeon also claims it has a dual purpose; it can be applied either as a standard coating of protection to your paintwork or as a top layer to a ceramic coating.
Pros
- Strong formula that encourages protection and water beading
- Can be used after applying a ceramic coating
- You only need a small amount for it to work
Cons
- Not as great value as the others
- You have to follow the instructions carefully
Best for water beading
Unlike the Gyeon wax, which needs to be left for 30 minutes to cure, ValetPro's wax only needs five minutes to cure after application.
Pros
- Easy wax to apply and buff
- Only needs five minutes to cure before buffing
- Three months worth of protection
Cons
- Isn't as good value for money as the others
Best budget wax
One of the benefits of a natural wax over a synthetic or hybrid product is its ability to maintain the deep gloss you got when applying the polish. Synthetic sealants and ceramic coatings can be more durable, but a natural wax gives better shine.
Pros
- Will last a long time - up to 12-months
- Results in a good shine and protective against the elements
- Is incredibly good value compared to the rest
Cons
- The protection and paint quality won't be quite as on-par as the others
- The given quantity (150g) is a bit short of other paste waxes
The best car wax for gloss
Rrp: $22.02
Rrp: $22.02
The brand also says it can do as much as cleaning away traffic film and light tree sap. We recommend you give your car a deep clean and detail before applying, but it's nice to know that the wax is that capable.
Pros
- Enhances gloss and colour of paintwork
- Easy to apply and buff
- Can simultaneously clean tree sap and traffic film
Cons
- Resin-based waxes aren't for everyone
Best value car wax
It's also said to leave a glossy finish as well as all the usual hydrophobic protection qualities. But the way you apply it is even more bizarre. Instead of hand or machine polishing it on, you insert 5ml into a snow foam lance before mixing with water and spraying it into the vehicle. It's designed to make wax application that little bit less intensive, while therapeutic at the same time.
Pros
- Very easy application with a snow foam cannon and pressure washer
- One bottle lasts up to 20 applications
- Good value for money at under £20
Cons
- 2-months protection isn't as extensive as others
Best premium wax
This kit also includes an ergonomically designed applicator and a High-Tech finishing cloth to ensure the best finish possible. You don't need much to cover the car, and having a thinner layer makes buffing easier. It also means the 120g provided should last a long time.
Pros
- Comprehensive kit
- Very effective wax
Cons
- Not as much capacity as others
Best ceramic wax
Rrp: $39.82
Rrp: $39.82
Pros
- Lasts a long time
- Safe to use on non-painted surfaces
Cons
- Requires patience
Best spray wax
Rrp: $19.99
Rrp: $19.99
By hardy we mean a coating lasting about a year and protecting against light scratches, water spots, and UV. By versatile we mean you can use it on paintwork, glass, plastic, and wheels. It's superb and keeps your car gleaming too.
Pros
- A neat alternative to carnauba-based wax
- Acts as a great protectant for your paint against the elements
- Can be applied without prior paint correction or decontamination
Cons
- Won't be as effective as wax
- Is more along the lines of a coating rather than a wax
What you need to know about car wax and FAQs:
What are the different types of car wax?
Carnauba wax is the only properly organic wax you can get for your car. This wax is extracted from the carnauba palm tree and chosen for its water-resistance properties, and its hardness – it’s the hardest natural wax in the world. There are two types of carnauba wax you can get; pure and a blend. Pure carnauba wax is yellow in colour and will give a really nice deep shine to your paintwork as well as protecting it.
It’s also more expensive and can be quite hard to apply. Blended carnauba wax makes use of additives,, including beeswax, to make it easier to apply, but it won’t give the same deep shine. It’s white in colour and cheaper to buy. All-natural wax will need reapplying every six weeks or so and will protect your paintwork from UV rays, water and other contaminants. It’s much purer and much stronger than wash and wax shampoo, which merely has elements of wax to give a hint of gloss when cleaning your vehicle.
Synthetic wax, (also known as paint sealant) makes use of synthetic polymers that bond to your car’s paintwork to offer a layer of protection. It will not offer the same shine that you might expect after applying some tyre dressing, but one application can last as long as 12 months.
Ceramic wax is one of the latest arrival in car wax technology. Professionally applied ceramic coating can last for years but is expensive. Hybrid ceramic waxes combine elements of ceramic waxes with regular synthetic wax for great results done much quicker and easier.
The state they come in can differ too:
Unlike black trim restorers, car wax comes in a few different flavours. Paste wax is the old fashioned form of car wax. It comes in a tin and can be stubborn to use. Still, it’ll give you the best shine and the best protective finish but it can take hours to apply to your car. Liquid wax is the most popular wax choice because it’s easy to apply but you can still get a nice deep shine and excellent coverage. Most synthetic waxes come in liquid form.
Spray wax should only be considered a supplement to regular wax. You don’t get the same protection but they’re the quickest and easiest to apply. A great choice if you’re in a rush. When it comes to applying wax, naturally, each product will come with its own instructions, and they are generally the same. On freshly cleaned but dry paint, add a few drops of wax to a microfibre cloth or pad. Apply it by working your way over the body panels in small, overlapping circular motions. That way, you’ll get an even and full coating on your car. Let it dry to a haze (don’t apply it in full sunlight), then wipe off with a clean microfibre.
Is it better to wax or polish a car?
The two have different purposes. Polishing involves effectively stripping a layer of clear coat in order to iron out the light scratches and swirl marks on your paintwork. Waxing adds a layer back on to protect the paint against the elements. So, in theory, both are better by definition if you want to get the best out of your paintwork.
How often should I wax my car?
The easiest method is to simply follow the product’s instructions. If a wax lasts up to three months, reapply it then. If it recommends 12 months, follow that guideline, and so on. However, try to schedule in a fresh waxing just before winter as that’s when the harshest elements attack your vehicle. So, having a layer of protection can help against the worst of things like snow, sleet, or even salt.
What is the best thing to wax your car with?
For paste-based waxes, the applicator and a clean microfibre towel are the best things to have on hand. For spray-based waxes, a microfibre towel is good enough on its own, as well as when drying/buffing the residue on waxes which are applied via snow foam lances.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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