Best Car Waxes: Wax On, Wax Off

Top 8 Best Car Waxes

The title for this post is as predictable as your author’s propensity to fix himself a bacon sandwich at dinnertime. All the same, we’re betting you lot tend to take care of your cars, so an article about car wax should be useful.

And prior to the peanut gallery chiming in as self-proclaimed experts, we’ll clarify there is indeed a difference between polish and wax. It’s generally accepted that a car polish is intended to remove fine bits of crud on the paint while the purpose of a wax is to leave a layer of protective material on your car.

Accepting this description, polish and wax actually do the exact opposite of each other: one removes stuff while the other applies it. One is also better fodder for terrible Karate Kid references.

Compared to some of the other brands on this list, Chemical Guys is a relatively young pup. Heck, using the same yardstick, some of the authors on this website aren't too old, either. This ego-boosting revelation helps this product land atop our list.

It's more than that, of course. This carnauba-based wax has great reviews from nearly 4000 customers and lays claim to providing a deep and wet look to automotive paintwork. Coupled with the good juju garnered by this brand thanks to its high-quality product (your author has a bin full of it paid with his own money), that's more than enough to recommend this wax.

Compared to some of the other brands on this list, Chemical Guys is a relatively young pup. Heck, using the same yardstick, some of the authors on this website aren't too old, either. This ego-boosting revelation helps this product land atop our list.

It's more than that, of course. This carnauba-based wax has great reviews from nearly 4000 customers and lays claim to providing a deep and wet look to automotive paintwork. Coupled with the good juju garnered by this brand thanks to its high-quality product (your author has a bin full of it paid with his own money), that's more than enough to recommend this wax.

We're going to lay a solid wager that this type of wax, or one like it, was the first car wax ever seen by most of our readers. Don't knock the switch to a plastic container; anyone who used the stuff in metal tins knows that those vessels eventually rusted if left in damp conditions for too long. The tub makes no difference if the product inside has remained of the same formula.

Fortunately, it seems that it has. The now-plastic green circle is four inches on the round, meaning it'll fit just fine in that bucket of car products you're schlepping to a show n' shine. This particular option is a paste but the formula is also available as a liquid. As old as time itself and familiar to gearheads around the world, this stuff is likely to be produced into the next century.

We're going to lay a solid wager that this type of wax, or one like it, was the first car wax ever seen by most of our readers. Don't knock the switch to a plastic container; anyone who used the stuff in metal tins knows that those vessels eventually rusted if left in damp conditions for too long. The tub makes no difference if the product inside has remained of the same formula.

Fortunately, it seems that it has. The now-plastic green circle is four inches on the round, meaning it'll fit just fine in that bucket of car products you're schlepping to a show n' shine. This particular option is a paste but the formula is also available as a liquid. As old as time itself and familiar to gearheads around the world, this stuff is likely to be produced into the next century.

Gearheads long of memory will recall the Saturday morning Power Block of television programming, one in which Barry Meguiar himself used to present a show about classic and collector cars. There would be plenty of not-so-subtle product placement, of course.

Had this stuff been around back then, it surely would have made an appearance. The company says it contains the latest advanced hybrid SiO2 technology, which my high school chemistry tells me stands for silicon and oxygen. They also say it applies like a traditional liquid wax and is easy to use.

Gearheads long of memory will recall the Saturday morning Power Block of television programming, one in which Barry Meguiar himself used to present a show about classic and collector cars. There would be plenty of not-so-subtle product placement, of course.

Had this stuff been around back then, it surely would have made an appearance. The company says it contains the latest advanced hybrid SiO2 technology, which my high school chemistry tells me stands for silicon and oxygen. They also say it applies like a traditional liquid wax and is easy to use.

Here's a product that doesn't apply like a traditional wax, instead asking that it be sprayed on in a fine mist before buffing. Griot's says its rich carnauba/polymer formula creates class-leading paint protection and is safe for use on paint protection films. Ceramic coatings, too, apparently. Reviews are strong, with nearly 1000 customers combining for a 4.7 out of 5-star rating. Given how picky gearheads are about their car care products, that's remarkable.

Advertised as a true carnauba, the wax content of Best of Show Spray Wax is said to add 2-3 times the durability of other spray waxes to your car's paint finish. This gives longer protection between uses and means you can spend more time driving your car instead of waxing it. A gallon bucket is available for refills.

Here's a product that doesn't apply like a traditional wax, instead asking that it be sprayed on in a fine mist before buffing. Griot's says its rich carnauba/polymer formula creates class-leading paint protection and is safe for use on paint protection films. Ceramic coatings, too, apparently. Reviews are strong, with nearly 1000 customers combining for a 4.7 out of 5-star rating. Given how picky gearheads are about their car care products, that's remarkable.

Advertised as a true carnauba, the wax content of Best of Show Spray Wax is said to add 2-3 times the durability of other spray waxes to your car's paint finish. This gives longer protection between uses and means you can spend more time driving your car instead of waxing it. A gallon bucket is available for refills.

Last summer, whilst shopping for a second-hand pickup truck, your author had the misfortune of climbing aboard a Ram 1500 which had so much Armor All applied to its interior I nearly slipped off the seat and onto the vinyl floor. Hockey rinks are not as slippery. The seller was attempting to cover up the stifling smell of cigarette smoke, created by a previous owner who must have consumed three packs a day, such was the stench.

It's unfortunate that's the first thing that pops to mind when I hear this brand name since Armor All is a brand that has been around forever and makes a number of quality products - including this spray wax. As a spray, it offers a fast and easy application that apparently requires no buffing. It can be used on wet or dry surfaces, which is very handy if you're trying to hit the road and left car washing duties 'til the last minute. Perhaps I'll pick up some of this stuff to change my perception of the brand - after all, the actions of that salesman weren't their fault.

Last summer, whilst shopping for a second-hand pickup truck, your author had the misfortune of climbing aboard a Ram 1500 which had so much Armor All applied to its interior I nearly slipped off the seat and onto the vinyl floor. Hockey rinks are not as slippery. The seller was attempting to cover up the stifling smell of cigarette smoke, created by a previous owner who must have consumed three packs a day, such was the stench.

It's unfortunate that's the first thing that pops to mind when I hear this brand name since Armor All is a brand that has been around forever and makes a number of quality products - including this spray wax. As a spray, it offers a fast and easy application that apparently requires no buffing. It can be used on wet or dry surfaces, which is very handy if you're trying to hit the road and left car washing duties 'til the last minute. Perhaps I'll pick up some of this stuff to change my perception of the brand - after all, the actions of that salesman weren't their fault.

Just because I've never heard of a brand doesn't mean it should be dismissed like a Facebook rumor. After all, that's why we read the reviews that go with these things before putting them in our recommended lists.

In racing, it is generally accepted that horsepower is how fast you crash into the wall while torque is how far you move the wall. Turns out, Torque is also a brand name of car wax products, a company that's been racking up positive reviews while expanding its product line. This spray product apparently comes with a 60-day refund program if you don't like the results.

Just because I've never heard of a brand doesn't mean it should be dismissed like a Facebook rumor. After all, that's why we read the reviews that go with these things before putting them in our recommended lists.

In racing, it is generally accepted that horsepower is how fast you crash into the wall while torque is how far you move the wall. Turns out, Torque is also a brand name of car wax products, a company that's been racking up positive reviews while expanding its product line. This spray product apparently comes with a 60-day refund program if you don't like the results.

Similar in intent to some of the other spray waxes on this list, the product you see here bears a brand name that's familiar to anyone who's either wrenched on their own vehicle or watched any sort of sanctioned off-road even in the last few years.

This is a 24 oz bottle of slick mist speed wax, intended to add extra shine to your vehicle while intensifying paint gloss. Lucas says its great for cars, trucks, boats, and airplanes (though the latter applies to exactly none of the people who work here).

Similar in intent to some of the other spray waxes on this list, the product you see here bears a brand name that's familiar to anyone who's either wrenched on their own vehicle or watched any sort of sanctioned off-road even in the last few years.

This is a 24 oz bottle of slick mist speed wax, intended to add extra shine to your vehicle while intensifying paint gloss. Lucas says its great for cars, trucks, boats, and airplanes (though the latter applies to exactly none of the people who work here).

Ranking right up there with the Turtle Wax entrant on this list as a blast from the past, this product from the world-famous Mothers brand also reaches deep into the pages of history for a lesson in car care. In fact, the 'California Gold' name borders on nostalgia for some of us in the audience, ranking right up there with the as-seen-on-TV California Duster (remember those?).

This paste-based wax is promoted as being able to 'clean and protect' in one act and is also good on fiberglass and gel coats. This explains its popularity on high-end campers and RVs. It is said to contain heat-resistant carnauba wax for a long-lasting shine, while also providing long-lasting benefits with regular use. That last bit sounds like a toothpaste commercial. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Ranking right up there with the Turtle Wax entrant on this list as a blast from the past, this product from the world-famous Mothers brand also reaches deep into the pages of history for a lesson in car care. In fact, the 'California Gold' name borders on nostalgia for some of us in the audience, ranking right up there with the as-seen-on-TV California Duster (remember those?).

This paste-based wax is promoted as being able to 'clean and protect' in one act and is also good on fiberglass and gel coats. This explains its popularity on high-end campers and RVs. It is said to contain heat-resistant carnauba wax for a long-lasting shine, while also providing long-lasting benefits with regular use. That last bit sounds like a toothpaste commercial. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Car Wax FAQ:

How best to wax a car?

How often should you wax your car?

Experts commonly recommend that you should apply a car wax to your vehicle once every three months at the least. Remember that since wax is technically an addition to your car's paint, it is possible that it will wear off over time and with regular car washing. Those 'once a year' car polishes are completely different. For those obsessed with maintaining a perfect wax finish, consider interim products meant to be used every few days.

What’s the difference between different types of car waxes?

As mentioned up top, It's generally accepted that a car polish is intended to remove fine bits of crud on the paint while the purpose of a wax is to leave a layer of protective material on your car. As for wax itself, applying a slick mist type of product will be easier than smearing on - then buffing off - a paste wax but there is a better chance of overspray and missed spots with the modern stuff. Follow the directions and take your time.

Changes:

Updated descriptions of numbers 2, 4, and 5

Replace FW1 Wax with Mother's at #8 due to availability

Revised introduction

Added FAQ

From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here. Learn more about how this works.

(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘90s sedan shopping habits operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Rental Reviews, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

[Main Photo Credit: Bhakpong/Shutterstock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]