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The right car wax makes all the difference between an average clean and an incredible shine. Wax protects the clearcoat from weather and debris, helps to preserve shine and even fills in minute finish scratches.
The days of a one-size-fits-all car wax are long gone. Now there are formulations that cater to different finishes, particular climate concerns, ease of application and your budget. We’ve combed through expert reviews and consumer ratings to recommend five of the best car waxes available right now.
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- Meguiar’s G7016 Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax: Best Overall Wax
- Mother’s California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Liquid Wax: Best Carnauba Liquid Wax
- Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Pro Graphene Spray Wax: Best Spray Wax
- Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax: Best Soft Wax
- Migliore Primo Premium Concours Show Car Carnauba Wax: Best Show Car Wax
Best Overall Wax
Best Overall Wax
Sale
$27.10
-$7.11 (26%)
Sale
$27.10
-$7.11 (26%)
Why We Picked It
Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus is an affordable product that returns high-end results. Topping many experts’ Best Wax lists, Gold Class is a blend of carnauba wax and polymer that Meguiar’s claims give a richer shine than pure carnauba wax alone. Gold Class gets praise for its ease of use, solid results and availability in paste form if so desired. Some consumers expected a greater shine than they got from it; others found it to be less effective in humid climates. Take care when using it, as some have reported skin and lung irritation from extended use.
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Available in paste or liquid
- Easy to use with good results
- Good but not exemplar shine
- Overuse can leave finish streaky
- Humid climates may make use tricky
Best Carnauba Liquid Wax
Best Carnauba Liquid Wax
Sale
$18.44
-$1.81 (10%)
Sale
$18.44
-$1.81 (10%)
Why We Picked It
Mother’s California Gold is a pure carnauba wax in a form that is heat-resistant and packaged for ease of use in a more liquid form than the traditional paste. While it still takes a bit of effort to get out of the tube and apply, a little of Mother’s California Gold goes a long way, which increases its already impressive value. Some consumers wanted a longer-lasting result (consensus seems to be it should be applied every three months), while others found the wax would harden up in the bottle over time.
Pros & Cons
- Pure carnauba wax at a great price
- Good shine and protection
- Ease of use compared to pastes
- Still takes some effort
- Effective for up to three months
- Can harden in bottle over time
Why We Picked It
Spray waxes are great for those looking for a more convenient product to use that also provides a wide range of protection. Turtle Wax’s Hybrid Solutions Pro Graphene Wax not only contributes to the car’s shine, but helps protect against UV rays, chemical contaminants, water spotting and environmental elements. Its spray form just makes it easier to use and reapply as a touch-up between full cleanings. Take care not to overuse, as more than a couple of sprays in the same area can produce streaking. Also, it may not be the best option for those with darker-colored cars.
Pros & Cons
- Ease of use
- Protects against multiple elements
- Can be used to touch-up between washings
- Streaky if over-applied
- Not great for darker finishes
- Easy, but more finnicky than a ceramic spray
Why We Picked It
Not a paste but not quite a liquid or spray, Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax is a blend of carnauba wax with resins and polymers that is easier to apply and remove than a paste but still results in great shine. It also is developed to protect from UVA and UVB rays. The shine is great but reportedly not the longest-lasting; it needs reapplication every few weeks or so. Also, it has a strong banana scent that, depending on how you feel about bananas, may not be everyone’s favorite.
Pros & Cons
- Denser than liquid, easier to apply than paste
- Provides great shine
- Protects from UVA and UVB rays
- Strong banana scent
- Not the longest lasting
- Ineffective at repelling water
Best Show Car Wax
Why We Picked It
Migliore Primo is the high-end of the high-end. It’s meant for concours, show cars and museum pieces. Each tin is handmade in Connecticut in a 50:50 ratio of organic compounds to carnauba wax to return the most intense gloss and shine you’ll find on the market. Higher-content carnauba waxes are notoriously difficult to work with, but Migliore’s blend renders Primo relatively workable by comparison. It also will not stain trim or plastic pieces. The downsides are the elbow grease you’ll need to apply it, and of course its insane price. Migliore Primo doesn’t protect from the elements and won’t repel UV rays—it simply delivers the most dripping-wet glossy look available for those who need nothing less.
Pros & Cons
- High carnauba wax content
- More workable than others of its type
- Best of the best shine and gloss
- Expensive
- Takes a good amount of effort to apply
- No added protections or benefits; just shine
METHODOLOGY
We rate all car waxes based on the following weighted metrics:
- Gloss/Shine (40%)
- Ease of application (30%)
- Price (20%)
- Carnauba content (10%)
What is carnauba wax and why is it in car wax?
Carnauba wax is derived from the carnauba palm tree found naturally in northeastern Brazil (carnauba wax is also known as Brazil wax). In its natural state it is extremely dense; combined with solvents and oils it can be made into a paste that provides a high level of shine, resistance to UV rays and repels water. Until recently, carnauba wax pastes had been the industry standard in protecting car finishes. Carnauba waxes are still widely used today, even as ceramic-based coatings have increased in popularity.
Can a car wax claim to be “100% carnauba wax”?
Ignore any product that claims to be 100-percent carnauba wax. At best this is deceptive; most higher carnauba content pastes and liquid top out at around 30 percent. Carnauba is naturally hard and requires a lesser amount make it usable. The Migliore Primo features is an extreme outlier at 50 percent and is only possible due to its own blend of compounds.
Why is car wax important?
Going through the process of cleaning your car without waxing it at the end is nearly pointless, leaving your newly-cleaned auto exposed to all the elements you just washed away. A wax treatment fills the minute scratches in your cars’ finish—giving the clearcoat a smooth, off-the-lot shine—while also protecting against UV ray exposure and repelling water.
Why would I want a hybrid wax?
For some, a hybrid wax may just be a matter of ease of use, especially those that come in spray form. For others, it could be the benefits of a hybrid compound including the ability to protect against certain chemical and environmental elements that standard wax cannot.
How difficult is wax to apply?
It depends entirely on the wax you choose. Traditional pastes take some time and effort, requiring careful application and polishing by hand or buffer. Liquid waxes are much easier to apply. Sprays are even easier. Products like the Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax are an in-between option. All will require a process of application and removal/polishing.
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Forbes Wheels Staff
Mike Hagerty Contributor
A car-crazy California kid, I’ve been writing and talking about vehicles for 25 years on TV and radio, in print and online, including AAA magazines in Arizona, Oklahoma, Northwest Ohio, South Dakota and the Mountain West, as well as BBC Autos. I serve as vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists, a professional group for automotive writers based in San Francisco, and have no relation to McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Classic Insurance, who is younger, better looking and wealthier.
