Black remains one of the kings of car colours (technically a tone if you’re being pedantic) and if you are owner of one, you will want to know about the best wax for black cars. In 2021, 20.5% of all passenger cars sold in the UK were black, with only grey beating it. The reasons for its popularity are clear, black is a safe colour come sale time and looks really cool when clean.
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 waxes specially formulated for black cars. 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.
The best car wax for black cars
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
- Good hydrophobic qualities
Cons
- Not as durable as some
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
- Masks small scratches
Cons
- Sponge has to be kept damp whilst applying
The best liquid wax for black cars
Rrp: $31.37
Rrp: $31.37
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 and small marks
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Still requires some elbow grease
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
- Gives a colour boost
Cons
- Can require re-application
The best premium wax for black cars
Chemical Guys also claim that this wax makes use of micro-refined oils to help fill tiny swirls and scratches for an even better look. It’s also designed to block UV rays that can diminish paintwork over time. It may be a little pricy, but the finished results will be worth it.
Pros
- Gives a deep shine
- Protects paintwork
Cons
- Swirls will show through again in time
Why should you use wax specifically formulated for black cars?
There is nothing wrong with using a normal car wax on a black car, 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.
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