Want your beloved car to look brand-new for as long as possible?
Car wax is the key to keeping your car shiny and beautiful. However, not all wax is created equal. Do you know how to choose the best car wax?
This essential guide to using wax will show you how to choose the best for your vehicle. Whether you wax your car religiously or have never done it before, we’ve got the information you need. Read on to learn more!
Why Wax Your Car?
If you wax your car rarely – or not at all – you might be wondering why knowing about the best car wax is even important.
However, waxing your car is actually very important. Yes, it makes cars shiny, but it also does much more than just improve the aesthetics.
When the manufacturer paints your car, they also put a clear coat over the top. This coat helps seal the paint and makes the car shiny. But it also is the first line of defense against environmental damage to the paint.
Everything from car exhaust and pollution to salt and dirt hits that clear coat and damages it over time. Fortunately, the clear coat protects the paint below, but this damage will cause the clear coat to become dull and worn.
Wax adds the layer that can keep that clear coat looking fresh, no matter how much damage it endures. It’s important to start waxing your car regularly as soon as you get it, whether it’s new or used.
Waxing your car is also much easier than it used to be, thanks to new formulas.
Even better, you can get away with waxing your car as little as four times a year! The most important times to do it are just before winter and just before summer, since those seasons of extreme temperatures will do the most damage.
Our Guide to the Best Car Wax
Choosing the best car wax means you’ll have to take a few different things into consideration. Let’s take a look at the information you’ll need to make the right choice.N.
Types of Wax
Which kind of wax is going to be best for your car? It depends on what you need it for. There are several different types of wax, and each has its own purpose.
Cleaning Wax
As the name suggests, a cleaning wax both cleans and waxes your car in one step. The chemicals in these waxes are designed to clean and protect all at once.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for both a wash and a wax, this is the best car wax for you. However, this quick fix isn’t ideal for every time you wax your car. It will get your car looking decent in the shortest amount of time, but doesn’t offer the most thorough cleaning or protection.
One side note: you shouldn’t use a cleaning wax on a car with paint that’s rusted or that has oxidized paint. If you’re trying to get an old car back in new shape, it will take more than a simple cleaning wax.
Finishing Wax
This is the type of car wax most people are more familiar with. A finishing wax is used on top of clean, nice paint to add shine and protection. It doesn’t have cleaning chemicals, so it can only be used on top of paint that’s already clean.
This wax tends to be easier to use, since it’s not needed to remove debris and dirt. Although washing your car make take some effort, once you reach the finishing wax step your job is simple.
Natural vs. Synthetic Wax
Natural wax, also known as palm wax or Carnauba wax, comes from the palm plant Copernicia prunifera. This plant comes from northeastern Brazil and has been used in many different applications for years, including as car wax.
It does give a shiny, clean finish to a car, but it doesn’t last as long as synthetic wax. If you decide to use natural wax for your car, just be prepared to apply it more often. It can also be more difficult to use than synthetic wax, because it has a very hard texture that’s a challenge to rub in.
Of course, if you already wax your car a lot, natural wax is the way to go. But if you want to get by with waxing less often, a synthetic version is the best car wax for you.
Synthetic waxes not only last longer, but are also much easier to apply to your car. If you want the benefits of both, you might even layer two kinds of wax.
Application Methods
There are also different application methods that will affect your car wax choice.
Paste Wax
Paste waxes are easy to use and long-lasting. For the most durable option, you’ll want to use paste.
Liquid Wax
Liquid waxes are also quite easy to apply and last for a long time, with a high shine. If you used a liquid wax, you’ll want to make sure to wipe it quickly after you apply it, otherwise it won’t go on evenly.
Rubbing Compound
Rubbing compounds are used to target areas of damage, like scratches and marks. They have an abrasive texture that helps erase the signs of damage. This won’t work on major damage, but this type of wax is good for making small marks less visible quickly.
Spray Wax
Spray wax is the method most people who are passionate about their cars avoid. Spray wax doesn’t always hold up well to extreme weather, so if environmental damage is a concern you’ll want to use a paste or liquid instead.
However, if you want the fastest and easiest way to wax your car, spray is the way to go. This is a good choice if you’ve never waxed your car before, or if you need a quick solution after washing your car regularly.
Ready to Try the Best Car Wax?
As you can see, the best car wax really depends on your needs. You may want to stock up on a few different types and forms of wax.
Sometimes you might want to use natural wax because you have extra time to get a high shine. Other times, you might need your car looking good in a hurry, so you’ll use a synthetic spray wax instead.
Want to do more than just wax? Once you’re comfortable with maintaining your car’s appearance, you might want to take on more heavy-duty maintenance jobs. Check out our list of the must-have home auto repair tools here.
