Black remains one of the kings of car colours, and if you are owner of one, you will want to know about the best car wax for black cars. Black is a popular colour as it suits a lot of cars very well and it’s a safe choice when it comes to reselling that vehicle once you’re done with it. The reasons for its popularity are clear, black is a safe colour come sale time and looks really cool once you’ve gone over it with the best car cleaning products.
However, while black paintwork may look really good when it’s clean, give it a couple of minutes in the real world and it’ll show up even the smallest flecks of dirt. Black cars get dirtier faster and show up every little imperfection from small marring and swirl marks to dust and traffic film.
Waxing a black car is a clever way of keeping it presentable for longer, and there are now a number of car waxes specially formulated for black cars. It can be tricky to tell the difference at first, but generally speaking, the product labels will always specify the colour black in either the name or purpose of the wax in question, thus differentiating it slightly from that brand’s regular car wax product.
The best car wax for black cars at a glance
Car waxes can differ in terms of purpose. For example, it’s important than when considering classic car waxes, they must be predominately Carnauba-based to be applied onto the single stage paint. These waxes are designed to add a deep shine to black paint, hide nasty swirl marks and provide a layer of protection to black paint. We’ve been scouring across the internet to bring the best black car wax into one place, ranging in price, application, and longevity.
The best car wax for black cars 2024
The best paste wax for black cars
It’s been formulated to make black and dark cars shine, as well as providing hydrophobic qualities. The complementary sponge applicator is a nice touch if you’re new to waxing, although you’ll need to provide your own microfibre buffing towel. Finally, being a paste wax means that you’re less likely to waste products, which makes this 300g tin good value for money.
Read our full Soft99 Dark and Black Wax review
Pros
- Easy to apply, making waxing a breeze for anyone of any ability
- Fills in swirl marks and scratches, which tend to show up in black paint more
- Good value for money at £18 per tin with 300g of wax with it
Cons
- Not as durable as some, with applications lasting up to eight weeks at a time
Editor's pick
As well as being made by hand, it helps protect the dark paintwork from the elements which can usually show up quite badly with black paintwork. This includes paint defections caused by UV-fading, bird droppings, and even acid rain, according to the manufacturer. It lasts up to four months, assuming you apply it to a car that's in regular use, which while that's impressive, does fall slightly short of some other waxes.
Pros
- Works well on black and other dark-coloured vehicles
- Protects your vehicle from UV-rays, dirt and other elements
- Can protect a regularly-used car for up to four months
Cons
- 150g isn't as generous as some others, considering you have to apply it twice each time
- Other waxes do last a bit longer
The best long-lasting coating for black cars
Technically, it's not a wax, it's a synthetic paint sealant in paste wax form, but don't let that scare you. It's applied like any other paste wax and will still add a really dark shine to any paintwork, it just costs bit more and lasts longer.
Pros
- Hydrophobic and oleophobic (oil) protection which lasts up to 12 months
- Masks small scratches and protects the paintwork from damage caused by elements
- Encourages water beading and the tin contents is designed to cover 20 average-sized vehicles
Cons
- Sponge has to be kept damp whilst applying, which requires a bit more technique
- Isn't technically designed as a wax, rather a paint sealant
The best mid-range wax for black cars
The pigments fill in and cover the scratches and tiny damages, while the Carnauba wax helps to protect the paint against rain, dirt, and according to Sonax, even frost and corrosion. To apply, you shake the bottle before lightly applying it evenly to the paintwork using an applicator. After letting it dry for about 30 seconds, you simply wipe the surface with a microfibre cloth.
Pros
- Simultaneous polishing repair and wax protection all in one bottle
- Helps enrich a shine back to black paintwork
- A much easier and quicker alternative to thoroughly polishing a vehicle
Cons
- It can only be applied away from direct sunlight and in an area of shade
The best liquid wax for black cars
Not only is it a protective wax, but it’s also designed to restore small swirls and marks in the paintwork, as well as bring back lost colour in the paintwork via small black pigments.
Pros
- Restores swirls, small marks as well as pigments within your paintwork
- Also aids at fine-cleaning stains and blemishes, ensuring a smooth finish
- Good value for money at a touch under £18 for 500ml of product
Cons
- Can't be used on cars with a matte black finish
The best budget wax for black cars
It’s specially formulated for black paintwork and like the others, will hide small swirls and boost the colour. It’s not the most advanced formula, but it’s better than a normal wax for a black car, and it’s good value for money.
Pros
- Great value for money at just £10 for 500ml of product
- Gives your black vehicle a colour boost as well as protection
- Helps to remove scratches and swirl marks
Cons
- Can require re-application, due to it not lasting as long as some others
The best premium wax for black cars
A single coat can last up to six months and it helps protect the paint against dirt, UV-rays, and rainfall. It's made up of not just Carnauba and Beeswax, but also fruit and nut oils to give it a richer flavour. The brand even says it has the capability to enhance maximum shine and clarity to metallic flecks within the paintwork.
Pros
- Enhances the metallic flecks within your paintwork
- Lasts for up to six months between applications
- Useful for not only black cars, but other dark colours, too
Cons
- Only really useful for metallic black finishes rather than solid
FAQs and things to consider with car wax for black cars
Why do black cars show up scratches so much?
Scratches don’t affect black cars more than any other colour, however the difference is visibility of them, thus tempting you to get a black car polished more urgently than the next colour. Things like fine scratches from the elements or swirl marks are more visible on black cars simply because black is the darkest colour you can get, and they show up like a sore thumb rather than being disguised in a lighter colour.
Should you use black wax on a black car?
Ideally, yes. However, you’re not forced to. There is nothing wrong with using a normal car wax on a black car, even if it’s a budget wax that’s suitable for the job. It’ll provide a layer of protection and a moderate shine. However, black car waxes are designed to bring out a greater level of shine in black paintwork, as well as hide the scratches and marring that are super obvious in black paintwork.
Why wax your car?
If you’re not sure why you should even bother waxing your car, know that it may help your pocket. For a start, it adds a thin layer of protection to your paintwork and essentially means you won’t have to wash your car as much, saving you valuable cash on water and cleaning products.
Secondly, when it comes to selling your car, a fresh coating of wax will make the paintwork pop in photos and could even help boost the valuation price from a dealer. To aid the shine and protection even further, consider the best wheel waxes for giving those a shine.
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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