10 Best Car Waxes (Review & Buying Guide) in 2019

Picking the right wax for your car is actually dependent on why you want to apply wax in the first place as this will help determine the type of car wax that you need. You will also have to determine whether it is really a car wax that you’re looking for and not a car polish or maybe even a little of both. The type of car wax you choose is important since it also dictates the frequency of waxing your car. We’ve prepared this FAQ for you to help you gain a better understanding on what you’re looking for.

Benefits of Waxing Your Car

There are some individuals who don’t necessarily think that waxing your car can bring any form of benefit. On the contrary, waxing your car regularly, at least twice a year can bring a host of benefits not only for you as driver but also for your car.

• Protect your vehicle against superficial damage

Automotive experts and professional detailers both cite protection against superficial damage to be one of the most important benefits of applying good quality on your car. The slippery surface created by the waxy substance prevents a variety of particles and debris from adhering onto the surface of your car. Since it is quite slippery these particles simply bounce off the surface without leaving any scratch marks, dings, or dents. If avian species suddenly decide to drop their excreta onto your vehicle wiping off these droppings can also be made a lot easier with a waxy surface.

• Provide a sacrificial layer for your clear coat

Your car’s clear coat is like the outermost layer of our skin. Without it the inner structures will be exposed to a variety of threats. The same is true with our car’s clear coat. Manufacturers designed the clear coat to be tough on dirt, debris, UV light, and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw at it. Unfortunately, over time this protective layer gets chipped. Give it a few more exposure and damage will be slowly seeping into the inner paint. Waxing provides you with an additional layer on top of the clear coat. So, even before the damaging substance gets to the clear coat, it has to go through the wax layer first. And getting through a very slippery substance can be tricky. Be sure to use a high quality scratch remover alongside waxing.

• Reduces expenses related to repairs

Imagine if all that paint job needs some fixing simply because you did not want to apply wax in the first place, do you have any idea how much it will cost you to restore your car’s finish to its original state? Depending on the type of color and the brand and make of your car, you’re potentially looking at thousands of dollars just to have it restored. Now if you already own your vehicle this is not really an issue. But, if you’re leasing it then definitely you’ll be expected to have it repaired before you can return it to your lessor.

• Enhances the resale value of your car

Want to sell your car? You do know you can command a much higher price if your car’s paint job was well-maintained. One of the first things that people look for when buying used cars is the quality of the paint job because it tells them something about the previous owner of the car. If it’s full of dents, chips, cracks, and scratches it simply tells them that the owner of the vehicle couldn’t care less about the car’s upkeep. If he cannot take care of basic superficial issues, what more can you expect with deep-seated problems like mechanical and electrical problems? Keeping your car in showroom-shine means you love your vehicle and that you’re doing everything you can to care for it and protect it against the harsh elements. So even if you’re going to ask a hefty price tag for your drive, people will readily give in. Of course you know you have to take care of other things as well.

• Makes you drive more carefully and sensibly

Nobody actually knows why but the general observation is that people who are able to wax their cars religiously without fail are very careful when taking their wheels for a spin. They are very cautious where they park as they don’t want their car to get down and dirty. At the smallest sign of dirt, they’d wipe it off immediately. They also will not drive recklessly since any wrong move can damage the look on their car. So yeah, in a way you could say that waxing your car will make you want to drive it more carefully. And driving carefully means you’re farther away from accidents.

• Reduces frequency of car washings

You may not know it but there’s another benefit to having your car waxed on a regular basis. Since waxes have a slippery nature that almost every other particle won’t get stuck on the surface, this means you don’t have to bring it to the car wash every time. A simple wipe should easily remove any dirt or debris on your car’s paint.

You May Also Like: Best Gifts For Car Lovers

What is the Difference between Waxing and Polishing Your Car?

When you wash your car you will naturally ask yourself whether to polish it or wax it afterwards or maybe even both. Some vehicle owners are quite puzzled about the difference between waxing and polishing their vehicle since both will often involve the same process of applying almost similar products that are finished with buffing. We’ll try to simplify these concepts for you so you’ll know whether to wax or polish your car or do both.

• Polishing

The closest word we could ever get to describing polishing is to ‘smoothen’ or to make the surface as even or as refined as possible. This simply means that it should be free of any imperfections. That being said, polishing is typically indicated in cars that have scratches or thin lines or small marks that can be considered as ‘imperfections’. You see, when light strikes the inner grooves of these lines the irregular angle of the groove reflects light sharply relative to the surrounding surface. That is why scratch marks stand out because of this reflection of light.

The purpose of polishing, therefore, is to remove these reflective surfaces by filling the spaces. Filling the spaces prevents the sharp reflection of light at an angle making the lines or scratch marks almost invisible to the naked eye. It is typically applied first before wax to refine any imperfections and let the natural color of the car really stand out.

• Waxing

Waxing is almost the same thing as polishing except that the purpose will be slightly different. Whereas polishing aims to make your car’s surface look as perfect as possible, the goal of waxing is to make sure that this refined surface of your car stays the same for as long as possible. Technically, what we are saying is that waxing is what gives your car’s paint the protection it needs while also helping enhance its natural luster.

Here’s the tricky part. If you already have surface problems like dullness or even signs of oxidation, waxing only conceals the problem but never really addresses them in the way that car polishes do. As such it is best used in cars that don’t have surface problems.

You can actually do a combination of both waxing and polishing. You can polish the imperfections first before applying the protective wax. This way you get the best of both worlds.

What Kind of Wax Should I Use? Carnauba or Synthetic?

When it comes to car waxes there are only two kinds to think about.

• Carnauba

This is the preferred wax by professional detailers, automobile collectors, and avid motorists primarily for the rich, warm glow and deep, wet look it affords your vehicle. It doesn’t really look like the wax is ‘on’ your paint but rather blends well into the paint job. When it comes to showroom finish, carnauba waxes are the ones to go to. It also does a great job of protecting your paint finish from the harsh rays of the sun. The only downside is that they don’t really last that long. For the most part, carnauba wax finish will begin to wear in about 6 to 8 weeks of application.

• Synthetic

These are better known as paint sealants and they do address the Achilles heel of carnauba wax – durability. Some of the best synthetic car waxes can protect your car’s paint for up to 2 to 3 years, although an average of 5 to 6 months is still better than carnauba’s 8-week maximum. The downside? Well, you don’t get that classic, deep wet look that you would want from your car.

Need a deeper shine for a dark car? Check out our review of the best waxes for black cars.

How Often Should I Wax My Car?

The frequency of applying wax onto your car is dependent on the type of car wax that you use. Based on what we shared above carnauba waxes will typically last for about 6 to 8 weeks which means you’ve got to wax your vehicle every 6 to 8 weeks. The same is true if you’re using synthetics. However, the general recommendation is for you to wax your car at least twice a year; the more frequent the waxing the better.

 

Waxing your car can greatly enhance its aesthetics and protect your car’s paint against surface damages including the harsh rays of the sun. And while you’re still deciding whether to get a carnauba or a synthetic wax, let our list of the 10 best car waxes be your inspiration in choosing the right one for your vehicle.