The Best Car Waxes for Shine and Longevity

Best Overall

CarGuys Premium Series Hybrid Wax

4.8

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Some car wax products protect the paint well; others excel in enhancing the shine. Car Guys Hybrid Wax is our overall pick because it does both, and extremely well. Its carnauba wax satisfies shine enthusiasts, and the polymer additives provide long-lasting protection against UV rays, plus a hydrophobic coating to repel moisture.

Lasting up to six months, this spray-type wax is easy to apply. A little goes a long way, so you can expect the 18-ounce bottle to provide up to six treatments, depending on the size of your vehicle. To apply it best, work in 2-inch sections, spritzing on the wax, wiping it in, using a lint-free cloth, then buffing it with the cloth’s reverse side.

The manufacturer recommends applying this popular car wax only if the car’s exterior is cool enough to comfortably rest your hand on. Many have found that it works most effectively if the paint is not warm at all. Ideally, you should apply it in a garage or other shady spot—never outdoors in hot sun.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Spray-on | Size: 18 ounces | Main Ingredients: Full synthetic polymers | Protection Length: 3 to 6 months | Applicator Included: Yes}

Best Budget

Nu-Finish NF-76 Liquid Car Polish

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Available in a 16-ounce bottle for around $10, Nu-Finish Liquid Car Polish is accessible and easy to apply, even in direct sunshine. Just wipe it on using a damp cloth, then let it dry to a light, hazy film before wiping it away with a soft, dry cloth.

The formula is based on zinc cross-linking polymer emulsions. It’s technically a polish, since the formula contains no wax. However, it accomplishes the same goal: provide luster and all-weather protection for your car’s exterior. The manufacturer claims it lasts for up to a year, much longer than conventional car wax formulas that break down when exposed to the elements.

Price at time of publish: $8

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Main Ingredients: Zinc cross-linking polymer emulsions | Protection Length: 12 months | Applicator Included: No}

Best Liquid

Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax Liquid 16oz

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We recommend Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax as the best option for a liquid car wax because of its forgiving application—with a pleasing banana scent—and deep, wet shine. The formula is the recommended pure carnauba wax, combined with polymers and resin for a longer-lasting effect. This combination also protects against UVA and UVB rays, so think of it as a sunscreen for your car. Frequently compared to a show wax, this liquid wax delivers a glossy effect and isn’t a good choice for paint with a matte finish.

Banish thoughts of a runny mess when using a liquid car wax: This product’s thin formula spreads easily, by hand or with a polisher, followed by buffing with a soft, microfiber cloth. That’s sufficient to help protect your paint against fading, as well as repel water, and create a slick surface to repel bird droppings, pine tar, and other substances.

Professional detailer Pomishchyk recommends that you use a clay bar to get rid of all contaminants and make the body very smooth before adding wax. "I find that when you do this, the wax will last longer and attach better because the surface is smooth after the clay bar treatment,” he says.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Main Ingredients: Carnauba, polymers, resin | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator included: No}

Best Spray

SHINE ARMOR Fortify Quick Coat

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A car wax spray offers a quicker method to protect vehicle paint. “Spray wax and liquid wax are easier to apply and produce a nice shine that can last on your car for a few weeks,” agrees professional detailer Pomishchyk. Instead of spending time completing a multi-step process, squeeze the trigger of Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat for fast protection. The three-in-one formula is designed to provide a waterless wash, protective coating, and long-lasting shine.

This car wax spray combines surfactants and a ceramic-coating formula to get your car cleaner and shinier. Spritz on Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat and use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe it off. You needn’t worry about overspray on your tires, trim, or mirrors because the product leaves no film and provides moisture-beading protection to those areas.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Type: Spray | Size: 8 ounces | Main Ingredients: Ceramic | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator included: No}

Best Paste Wax

Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax

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Paste wax, such as Meguair’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus, is a dependable method of restoring shine and luster to cars of all colors. The 11-ounce container contains a foam applicator, making it easier to apply a thin, consistent coat. Unlike quick detailers, you need to let the wax dry to a hazy appearance before buffing it with a microfiber or terry towel. (You need to exert some light effort to thoroughly remove the dried wax.) You should apply this product only to painted surfaces, so be careful to avoid rubber, trim, and mirrors.

Like other carnauba-based wax formulas, this paste wax from Meguiar’s delivers high-shine results and shields your vehicle from bird droppings, tree sap, and precipitation. You can expect a month or more of protection; less in hot, humid locations.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Type: Paste | Size: 11 ounces | Main Ingredients: Carnauba wax and polymers | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator Included: Yes}

Best for Dark-Colored Vehicles

Meguiar's Black Wax Automobile Wax 7 oz.

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Without proper car care and maintenance, dark-colored vehicles might begin to take on a faded appearance rather than a shiny, lustrous look. However, white car wax formulas can leave behind obvious, chalky appearances. For this reason, we recommend the Perfect Wax for Black Cars from Meguiar’s. This paste wax is tinted to be dark gray. Any wax left behind in crevices or joints is much less noticeable than the white or yellow appearance of general-purpose car wax formulas.

The tinted formula is this Meguiar’s wax best attribute, but not the only one. Its deep shine makes black, navy, or other dark paint colors glisten. The paste wax is easy to apply from a tube, using the included applicator. For best use, apply it to the entire vehicle, wait for it to dry, then buff it off using a microfiber or terry towel.

Price at time of publish: $7

_{Type: Paste | Size: 7 ounces | Main Ingredients: Synthetic polymers | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator Included: Yes}

Best Carnauba Wax

Griot's Garage 11029 Premium Carnauba Paste Wax

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One of the most popular types of car waxes for shine is formulated with carnauba, harvested from a palm tree common to Brazil. The wax coats the palm tree fronds, sealing in moisture. When applied to a vehicle, carnauba’s moisture barrier repels precipitation. You can choose from many different carnauba car waxes. But the Premium Carnauba Paste Wax from Griot’s Garage is our pick, for its high-grade formula, renowned for its shine and water-repellent properties.

However, this product doesn’t offer UV protection for paint, as you find in some polymer-carnauba car wax blends. It also lacks an included applicator, but you can apply it by hand using a foam applicator or with a machine.

Price at time of publish: $42

_{Type: Paste | Size: 12 ounces | Main Ingredients: Carnauba | Protection Length: 6 to 9 months | Applicator Included: No}

Best Quick Wax

Turtle Wax Quick & Easy Wax & Dry Spray Wax 26 fl oz

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We recommend Turtle Wax 1-Step Wax and Dry for a quick wax to streamline your car care routine. Instead of conventional car waxes that require you to allow them to dry before buffing, this product is designed to be sprayed and wiped in quick succession. It’s also advantageous to vehicle owners in hot, humid climates or those who may not have a garage.

Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, you need only apply this quick wax to a freshly, washed wet vehicle to protect the paint while reducing drying time as you towel-dry your vehicle. Expect to reapply this product with some regularity; however, the 26-ounce bottle provides for multiple applications.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Type: Spray | Size: 26 ounces | Main Ingredients: Carnauba wax blend | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator Included: No}

Best to Fix Scratches

3D Speed Car Scratch Remover Polish & Wax

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If light scratches or water spots are keeping your car from looking its best, 3D Speed Car Scratch Remover Polish & Wax is a one-stop solution. It does the work of three products: a compound, polish, and wax. While some polishes require you to use an orbital machine to apply them, you can apply this formula by hand, if you choose.

Using a proprietary formula of abrasives, this product reduces or removes imperfections in vehicle paint, including scratches, swirls, and oxidation. Polishing agents within the formula enhance shine, while a protective coating seals the paint. You also can use this product on glass and plastic. It doesn’t impart the same high-gloss shine as some leading car waxes, but it’s an excellent step in reducing visible imperfections while protecting the exterior from further damage.

Price at time of publish: $24

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 16 ounces | Main Ingredients: Montan wax | Protection Length: Not applicable | Applicator included: No}

Best Sealant

Optimum Car Wax

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Some people use multiple products to polish and seal their cars, but with Optimum Car Wax, you can do both at once. This smooth, shiny wax has an essential built-in sealant, which protects a vehicle’s exterior paint. With a little buffing, you can polish and evenly coat your car’s exterior with a durable all-weather sealant. It also repels water and protects the paint from sun damage, dirt, and pollutants.

Optimum Car Wax comes in a convenient spray bottle, so applying it is a breeze. Plus, one spritz goes a long way—you can easily coat your hood, trunk, or doors with just a few sprays. And creating a lustrous shine doesn’t require very much elbow grease.

Price at time of publish: $53

Best for Light-Colored Vehicles

Collinite No. 476S Super Double Coat Auto Wax

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Dirt, mud, and dust tend to be much more visible on white cars than on vehicles with darker paint. If you’re annoyed with every tiny speck showing up on your car, consider No. 476S Super Double Coat Auto Wax from Collinite. The thick, pasty, hand-poured wax comes in a round, retro-style container, and you only need a small amount to coat an entire car. While it’s easy to wipe off, this durable, detergent-proof product lasts up to nine months and holds up under frequent car washes.

As a hybrid polish, it contains synthetic ingredients and a high concentration of Brazilian carnauba wax. The smooth, reflective finish makes it ideal for white cars. Aside from white vehicles, non-abrasive Collinite Auto Wax is suitable for buffing virtually any color of exterior paint, as well as bumpers and exhaust shields. If you usually park outside, you can count on the highly protective barrier to defend your car from various outdoor elements.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Type: Paste | Size: 10 ounces | Ingredients: Carnauba oil/polymer blend | Applicator included: No}