Let’s get to the bottom of it: waxing your car provides a beautiful, shiny gloss AND extends the life of your paint job. That’s why we searched the web far and wide to find you the longest lasting car wax. With so many options of brands, types, and product ingredients, we worked to compile a list of all of the best car wax options to make your shopping easy.
Benefits of Car Wax
On the superficial side, waxing your car should be part of your car cleaning and maintenance to-do list. No matter what type of wax you choose to use, you’ll achieve a lovely and shiny finish after you wax your car that should turn heads.
Along with that, wax protects your paint from superficial damage. How does it do this? The protective coating that wax leaves behind allows various contaminants such as tar, bird poop, or tree sap to glide off of your car’s paint job instead of damaging it. While the clear coat also helps with this, the additional layer of wax protects against UV rays, dirt, debris, and more
If you have any scratches on your car, check out our step-by-step guide on how to touch up car paint or our buying guide for the best car scratch removers. Once you touch up the blemish, you can wax the car to add a protective layer and keep your paint in good shape.
Along with the two main benefits of creating a shiny finish and protecting your paint, regularly waxing your car also increases your car’s resale value and helps you wash your car less frequently. With a well-maintained paint job, your car will hold its value better when it comes time to sell it to get a new ride. And the slippery, water-repellent wax coating means dirt and debris are less likely to get caked on. With that, you should be able to spot clean your car at home whenever needed and only have to do a deep clean car wash every so often.
Types of Car Wax
When it comes to finding the best car wax for your needs, the number of options can feel daunting. To get started, let’s break down the most common types of car wax. Across liquid, paste, and spray waxes, you will most often find either carnauba wax, synthetic wax, or a synthetic blend of both.
Carnauba wax gives the paint more of a smooth, warm glow because it is made of natural ingredients. Along with that, carnauba wax tends to need reapplication more often. With that being said, we’ve looked to find carnauba wax that lasts the longest in relation to other carnauba wax. On the other hand, synthetic wax gives the paint a classic, sleek shine and generally is a quicker application. And, it tends to need less-frequent reapplication.
Spray car wax tends to be the easiest to apply which can save you a lot of time. Many people opt to use spray car wax as their sole car waxing method while others use spray car wax between their more detailed paste car wax applications. To apply, simply spray the wax on and then wipe it off. With spray car wax, you can find numerous multi-purpose sprays that also polish as well as single-purpose sprays that only wax the car.
Liquid car wax is perhaps the most common car wax out there. With liquid wax, it’s main ingredients can be carnauba, synthetic, or a hybrid of both. Liquid car wax is the second quickest application. Many users recommend liquid car wax for older cars that may require more wax. This is because liquid car wax goes on easily and covers a large surface area with a quick application.
Paste car wax requires the most time-consuming application, but it produces very noticeable results in terms of a shiny finish and a solid protective layer. With that being said, using a buffer instead of your hands may be the best option to apply paste car wax. You want to get an even coat across your whole car. Since paste car wax is the thickest, you’ll have to work the hardest to get a nice, even coat.
The 10 Longest Lasting Car Waxes on The Market Today
Below, we’ve outlined the 10 best wax for cars on the market today. After our extensive guide on the best products, we’ve also outlined how to best apply wax to your vehicle as well as answered all of your most frequently asked questions surrounding the best wax for cars. With that, let’s take a look at all the best long-lasting car waxes!
No matter what type of car wax you use, having the best possible car wax will keep your car looking beautiful while protecting your paint. Looking to purchase an entire car detailing kit? Check out our guide highlighting the best all-in-one car detailing kits for ALL of your car cleaning needs.
Features to Look For in Car Wax
First and foremost, you want to decide what type of car wax you need. This starts with either carnauba, synthetic, or a blend of both. After that, decide on whether you’d like liquid, spray, or paste car wax.
Once you decide on the type of car wax, consider the brand and price. With endless brands and a wide range in prices, it is important to know how much you want to spend and what brand you prefer.
Other key features to look for in car wax:
- Ease of application
- Eco-friendly or natural ingredients
- Versatility
- Scent
- UV-protection
Consider Your Specific Car’s Needs
When choosing what wax is best for your car, it is important to consider your particular car. Depending on the paint type and color, there may be a more specialized wax to get the job done. In addition, if your car is on the older side and your paint has seen some wear, you may need more wax than if you have a new car.
How to Apply Wax to Your Car
- Before you even begin the waxing process using the best wax for cars, you absolutely must wash and dry your entire car. The exact wax application process will depend on the product you choose, but there are some general rules that apply no matter what.
- After washing your car, apply the wax by hand using a microfiber cloth or soft pad or use an orbital polisher.
- When applying, spread the wax as thin and evenly as possible.
- Apply the wax in small, circular motions to get an even coat.
- Always apply wax in the shade as opposed to direct sunlight.
- Cover ALL painted surfaces with the wax.
- To avoid getting wax on unpainted surfaces, use painter’s tape.
- When done with the initial waxing, inspect your car to see if you missed any spots.
- Apply wax to the missing spots if applicable.
- Remove the wax using a dry microfiber towel after 5-20 minutes (refer to the product’s instructions for recommended dry times).
- You may need to use more than one microfiber towel to effectively remove all of the wax.
- Now your car is shiny, stunning, and protected!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best car wax on the market?
According to our research, the Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax is the best, longest-lasting car wax currently on the market.
What kind of wax should I use — carnauba or synthetic?
Carnauba is made from natural ingredients and produces a warm glow on your car’s finish. Along with that, it provides a shine that is often longer-lasting.
Synthetic waxes produce a classic, shiny finish. With that, synthetic wax is known to be more protective — typically protecting against light scratches and UV rays.
The kind of wax you use largely depends on personal preference, the type of vehicle, and other factors you are looking for in wax for your car. With that being said, whether you opt for carnauba or synthetic or a blend of both, all are excellent options.
Do I really need to wax my car?
If not for any other reason, waxing your car is important to protect your paint and maintain your car’s value. Wax helps slow the general wear and tear of car paint from the elements. In addition, it prevents future damage by added protective qualities to your car’s clear coat which can wear out and lose its effectiveness over time.
Does paste wax last longer than liquid wax?
Both liquid and paste waxes are designed to provide long-lasting protection. If you purchase a high-quality wax in either form and apply it as directed, you should enjoy lasting protection for up to 6 months. Keep in mind that some of the cheaper spray waxes may not last as long as higher-end paste and liquid waxes.
Do I need to wash my car before waxing my car?
YES! You must thoroughly wash your car before waxing. If you don’t, you will trap dirt and debris in your wax job. This can scratch the pain … which is exactly what you are trying to avoid!
How often should I wax my car?
The general rule-of-thumb is to wax your car every 6 months. With that being said, you may need to wax more or less frequently depending on factors such as how frequently you drive your car, the weather conditions, and whether or not you park your car in a garage.
Is it worth putting two coats of wax?
If you use high-quality wax, there shouldn’t be any need to add a second coat of wax. Be sure to purchase a quality applicator and focus on getting a nice, even coat on your first round, and you should be all set.
How long should wax stay on a car?
Wax should stay on a car for approximately 5-20 minutes in order to dry. To test if the wax has fully dried, simply wipe your finger over the wax. If it’s a clean swipe, the wax is dry and ready to be removed.
Can wax damage car paint?
If applied correctly according to the product’s directions, wax should not damage car paint.
Can I wax without polishing?
Yes, you can wax without polishing your car. As long as you wash your car before waxing, you are good to go! If you do decide to polish your car, do so after washing the car and before applying wax.
Is there a car wax specifically for black cars?
