Best Car Wax - Car Talk (2024)

• Written ByJohn Goreham
• 6/27/2024

Car Talk's Key Takeaway

• There are many different types of car wax for your vehicle.
• Waxes can be grouped by how they are applied.
• Meguiar's, Turtle Wax, and Bling Sauce make our list of the best waxes.
• Before buying any car wax, consider how it will be applied and how much time and energy you have for the project.

Car Talk’s Top Recommended Car Wax

• Best Synthetic Liquid Wax: Meguiar's G210516 Ultimate Liquid Wax »

• Best Synthetic Wax: Bling Sauce Platinum »

• Best Paste Wax: Meguiar's G7014J Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax »

• Best Dry and Wax Product: Turtle Wax 1 Step Wax and Dry Spray Wax »

• Best Cleaner Wax Product: Meguiar's A1216 Cleaner Wax »

• Best Waterless Wash and Wax Product: Meguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax »

• Best Amazon Car Wax Bundles: Meguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax Kit »

What is car wax, and what does it do?

Car wax is a general term. The way the word is used doesn’t limit it to any specific method of application or any specific compound. Many car wax products contain carnauba wax. This is a wax that is derived from the carnauba palm. For many who use the term ‘car wax,’ this is what they are referring to, but it is not the only definition.

Synthetic waxing products, also referred to as polymers, take many forms, have many intended outcomes, and are all considered more “man-made” than waxes that are carnauba-based. Car washes that offer a wax step often use a synthetic type of wax.

Cleaner wax is a subset of car wax. This type of car wax includes compounds and chemicals that help to clean, polish, and restore your paint, while at the same time applying the product that enhances shine and offers some protection.

Compound is an abrasive product that looks like wax and is used to strip and polish a car’s surface. Do not confuse it with car wax. Compounds are used as a preparation step before waxing, not a final step. The cleaner waxes we refer to above may be thought of as offering some level of compound in the wax product, but straight compound makes your car look dull, not shiny.

Wax products are intended to do multiple things- and they work. First, the intent is to make your car’s paint finish look as good as it can. Call it shine, polish, mirror-image, or whatever. The desired outcome is that the paint will look brilliant and, in many cases, better than new.

In addition, wax products can offer protection of your paint’s clear coat. UV protection may be one benefit, but this was more important back in the days before cars had clear coat. Since the wax lays on top of the paint, wax can help to prevent etching of your clear coat due to bird droppings and other environmental incidents. It may be a bit easier to remove tree sap from your car if the car is waxed. In many states, public water and well water contain calcium (limestone), and when a sprinkler or your garden hose wets your car, it will leave behind what is referred to as hard water stains. These little white rings are very tricky to remove. Having your car waxed can help prevent hard water stains. When acid rain was a big concern, wax could also help protect your paint from acid rain. However, we should note that acid rain was primarily caused by sulfur in home heating oil and diesel fuel, which is no longer the case.

Wax may also help prevent damage to your car from things like parking lot bumper rubs from other cars and light brushing of the sides by tree branches and bushes (like when off-roading). Perhaps a limited benefit might be tiny chips and abrasion from road salt and sand. Wax does not prevent highway-speed impact stone chips very well, or perhaps at all.

How is car wax applied?

As we have overviewed, many different types of products are under the car wax umbrella. Some are pastes. These are generally applied with a foam or cloth applicator and a bit of elbow grease. You rub the wax on and leave behind a thin film. It then turns white or hazy, and the last step is to rub or polish off that hazy residue. This can take hours to do correctly. It is hard on the lower back and hard on the arms, elbows, hands, and shoulders. If you are under 30, you may not even notice. Approach 60, and you will definitely feel it. Waxing a car using old-school paste wax is a young person’s game.

Because waxing a car the way we describe above is not practical for all car owners, manufacturers have developed many simpler solutions. Some are liquid wax or spray wax products that go on and come off more easily. Others are combined with car wash concentrate. As you wash the car, they are in the soap and leave behind some wax. Automated car washes may apply wax after the washing steps and just let it dry on the surface. Some waxes are applied to your washed and still-wet car. You then wipe off the water and wax together. Many of our experts like this method.

Another form of wax is applied to a mostly clean car and acts as a cleaner and a wax. Often called “waterless wash and wax,” this is good for places where it doesn’t rain often and where dust and pollen may be the only stuff you need to remove. If you own a black or dark-colored car, you may want to just polish up the car.

Our expert, John Paul, says, “These waxing products work very well in areas with water restrictions. I prefer Meguiar's waterless car wash and wax.”

Jr. Damato also likes this type of product and uses it on his own vehicles.

Do automated car washes actually wax your car?

Yes, automated car washes truly do apply wax products. You often pay double for the added wax step, which is applied by spraying the car. You can smell the wax as it goes on, and most car washes will flash colored lights, so you will take note of the special wax application. Cars that get this treatment do look a bit shinier when the car is finished. You can even see the water bead up a bit more than usual after an automated car wash wax application.

However, automated car washes don’t apply elbow grease and that matters. We will remain neutral on applying car wax at the car wash. We doubt anyone believes that wax applied by the car wash machine is equal to hand-applied wax. One negative is that wax gets on all your glass as well as your paint. That can be annoying as it may leave streaks or lines on the windshield.

One note for clarity: Many car wash locations have workers who will hand-wax your vehicle, often while you wait. These can be extremely high-quality products applied by very skilled individuals. We just want to be clear that what the machine sprays on and what these workers can do by hand are distinctly different things.

Professional waxing

Professionals who wax cars all day, every day (Bless their hearts!) already know all the tricks and all the best practices. They have the right space in which to work, the cloths and applicators at hand, and if they opt to use power tools, they know how NOT to burn through your paint or damage your clear coat. Most car dealerships, some car wash places, and every detail shop offer car waxing.

About black trim

Automakers often install unpainted black trim on cars. You will find it around wheel wells, on bumpers, on the front of crossovers and SUVs, and even on side mirrors. If you get wax on these areas, it will be hard to remove, and it will leave behind some whitish streaks. There are products specifically designed to bring that black trim back to its best condition and to get the wax off. “Back to Black” from the Mothers brand is a popular product for this job. If you wax a car with a lot of black matte trim, either be careful not to wet the black areas with your wax or have a trim conditioning product available.

One note: Classic Armor All “protectant” is not ideally suited to the job, though the Armor All brand may well have a specific product that works well for this duty.

What to consider when choosing car wax

• Ease of use - Old-school carnauba paste wax requires a lot of elbow grease. Newer products make adding a coat of wax much easier.
• Time - If you are pressed for time, using a wax and dry product after washing your car solo or having your local car wash add a wax step can save you a lot of time.
• Water availability - Some new products allow you to wash a slightly dirty car and wax or polish it at the same time without using water.
• Brand - Many of the brands that provide car care products have loyal followers and very high reviews. Meguiar's and Turtle Wax are legendary for offering high-quality products with many different choices to suit your needs.
• Your car’s needs - If your car is new, a quick spray or liquid wax is plenty. If the clear coat is a bit beaten up, consider a cleaner wax. It’s harder to apply and remove, but it can help restore your car’s finish if it needs restoration.
• Pre-wax preparation - Before you set to waxing, ensure your finish is in good shape. A clay treatment may be a wise consideration if the clear coat is in rough shape.
• Professional option - If you want the best results with the least effort at the highest cost, have a detailer, or other waxing professional do the work for you.

What costs are associated with car waxing?One option for applying wax to a car is to pay someone to do it for you. A detailer is the best choice, but dealerships and car wash locations often have folks on-site who can hand wax a car for you. Prices can range from roughly $50 to about $250, and the service is often combined with some level of interior cleaning. A full “inside and out” detailing with wax included can run from around $200 to $500. This is hands-down one of the best things you can do to preserve the look of your nice car.

Doing it yourself is also a great option. The wax itself will run you roughly $10 to $50 for name-brand, quality products. The sky's the limit, but most of the pricier products are ceramic coatings and not actual waxes. Budget $50 for a full kit of your wax, some high-quality cloths, and a couple of extra applicator pads, and you should have money left over for an iced tea. Amazon and the major car care brands bundle packages that include car wash soap, cloths, wax, and even a bucket. These are usually priced under $75. Spend more on quality cloths than you think you should, and you can’t go wrong. Don’t skimp on cloths and applicators.

Your local automatic car wash will also wax your car as you drive it through the tunnel or sit in the touchless bay. We took a look around at the prices car washes in the Metro Boston area charge. Generally, adding a wax to the standard wash is only another $3 to $10. A full wash is $17 at our favorite car wash, and adding wax brings it to $20. Adding in the full whammy Simoniz package brings the cost to $25.

Car Talk experts weigh in on car wax

Straight from our ASE-certified mechanics:

Jr. Damato, Juniors Automotive Sales & Services, Lakeville, MA

• I like Meguiar's products.
• I generally use the dry and wax formula, but when I need it, I will use their cleaner wax and also the liquid and paste carnauba wax products.

John Paul, AAA’s Car Doctor

• For wax, I like Meguiar's products. I like their waterless car wash and wax which is a great product if there are water restrictions where you live.
• When I need a carnauba wax, I also favor Meguiar's.
• Recently I have been using Bling Sauce Platinum spray wax. Being lazy, it is a simple spray-on wipe-off product, and it is the best I have tried. No, of course, you don't get the benefit of burning 900 calories by hand waxing, but work is overrated.

John Goreham, Car Talk Staff Writer, Recovering Engineer

• When I had a weekend fun car, I used Prolong waterless wash and polish on the car rather than drag out the hose. I found that with the minimal dirt and road grime on these occasional use cars the Prolong product did a great job.
• When I was growing up, my dad and I used Turtle Wax and Rally Wax. I still reach for Turtle Wax products out of instinct, and they have never steered me wrong.
• Many of my colleagues rave about Meguiar's car care products. I now look at this trusted brand whenever I shop for anything related to cleaning or preserving my car’s interior or exterior.
• I sometimes wax just part of my car. The front fascia and hood are first, and then other parts if my energy level and schedule allow for them. In New England, ice, tree sap, bird droppings, and other hazards generally hit the hood and front fascia, so I protect those first when my time is limited.

Can I DIY car wax?

Not only can you wax your car, but if you are physically fit, Car Talk recommends that you wax your car. There is no better way to bond with your ride than to apply a good coat of wax. It is one of the most satisfying DIY projects any fit car owner can engage in.

Unlike ceramic coating, waxing is something that any novice can do. As long as you don't use any rotary buffer tools and stick to hand application and hand removal, you won't do any harm. Always start with a freshly washed car. Always apply out of direct sunlight. Use many removal cotton or microfiber rags, and turn the rags often. High-quality paper towels can also work.

Some tips for waxing your car:

• Always start with a freshly washed car.
• Read the directions. We cannot over-stress how important this is.
• “Wet the applicator” means to put the wax on it. NOT to wet it with water.
• Always apply the product and remove it out of direct sunlight.
• Less is better. Don't over-apply hand wax. It won’t give you a better result.
• Do not over-apply. We said this twice for emphasis. Removing excess wax can be difficult.
• Use clean or new applicators and removal cloths.
• Turn your removal cloth often. Change them frequently.
• Nitrile gloves can save your skin from being irritated by wax.
• Be careful not to get wax on any matte trim areas. Don't wax glass.
• Take your time. Don't rush. Stretch. Take breaks. Waxing is taxing.
• Not sure if you will have the time or energy to do a full wax job? Why not just do the hood first? If you have more energy, tackle the roof and rear portion of your vehicle. Then, move on to the sides if your stamina allows for it. The top of your car takes the most abuse.

Conclusion

Waxing your car can be a weekend endeavor or take under two minutes at your local car wash. There are some great modern wax products that suit almost every car owner's ability and budget. We can’t remember ever saying to ourselves, “I wish I hadn’t waxed my car.”

Our expert mechanics and I give Meguiar's a unanimous thumbs up. However, there are many other great brands out there as well. Check out our list of recommended wax products for many different levels of involvement and from many different manufacturers for ideas on what to try when you want to wax your car.

Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.