If you want to give your car’s paint that extra protective coat, you need car wax. This hardy substance adds a protective layer to repel rain and keep it looking smarter for longer. In the world of paint protection products, there are hundreds of things on the market. So, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick out some of the best for you 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 not quite the same principle as underseal is to your chassis. 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, and therefore the complete opposite to 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 waxes at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax 250ml – buy from Amazon
Best premium wax: Autoglym Ultra High Definition Wax – buy from Amazon
Best pure wax: Simoniz Original Carnauba Wax – buy from Amazon
Ceramic coating is another alternative if you fancy upstaging yourself from regular car wax. But we’re keeping it simple and included an array of solutions. From quick-hit 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. There’s also a guide on how best to polish your car at the end.
The best car waxes
Editor's pick
It applies a slightly thicker, more durable coating than the Meguiar's wax (below). 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.
Pros
- Provides an effective wax protectant to your paint
- Helps with water beading
Cons
- Won't last too long
The best car wax kit
Rrp: £14.73
Rrp: £14.73
Autoglym says it can protect your bodywork for up to six weeks before re-application is required. The kit also comes with two microfibre cloths, which is very handy.
Pros
- Comes with two microfibre cloths
- Easy to apply and can be used straight after a wash
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as others
Best premium wax
Also included in this kit are an ergonomically designed applicator and a Hi-tech finishing cloth to ensure you get 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 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 full sun
- Encourages water beading
Cons
- Some of the others represent better value
Best spray wax
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
- Acts as a great protectant
Cons
- Won't be as effective as wax
Best pure 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
- Results in a good shine
Cons
- Won't last as long as the others
Best budget liquid wax
Nick says it's brilliant and so do we. For your basic, easy to apply wax, look no further.
Pros
- Great value
- Effective at ironing out swirls and light scratches
Cons
- Others offer more capacity
Best cheat wax
Its one-litre volume lasts a reasonable time (you can get a big refill). A genuine two-in-one that takes the hard work out of cleaning and waxing. Don't expect the same results as the waxes, but it's a time-saving shortcut.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient two-in-one
Cons
- Won't produce the same result as a single wax
Best ceramic wax
Rrp: £32.00
Rrp: £32.00
Pros
- Lasts a long time
- Safe to use on non-painted surfaces
Cons
- Requires patience
What you need to know about car wax:
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 it’s 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 the 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.
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.
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.
Sign up to the Parkers Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews, news, and recommendations from the Parkers team.
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections – read why you should trust us.
