Nothing brings out the gloss of your car like a good car wax. But there are plenty different versions with diffrent properties and ingredients on the market.
So what is the best car wax?
Every car wax has pros and cons. Together we take a look at the 6 most popular car waxes and find out which is really the best for your car.
Best car wax in the UK
The best car wax for your car - natural vs. synthetic car wax
There are three main categories of car wax. Although the ingredients differ, the goal remains the same. All of them want to give your car a glossy shine and achieve a water-repellent effect. In addition they should last as long as possible.
They all have different strengths and weaknesses.
Car wax can be classified in these three categories:
- Natural wax (mainly carnauba)
- Synthetic wax / polymer wax
- Hybrid wax - a blend of natural wax and chemical ingredients
Soft99 Fusso Coat - Best car wax
Soft99 has taken the car care world by storm. In the last time the products of the Japanese manufacturer are on everyone's lips. The most talked about product is Fusso Coat 12M.
But what is this new miracle cure anyway? A normal car wax or a sealant? Neither of them. Since it doesn't really belong in either category. Fusso Coat is a hybrid sealing based on PTFE. PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene or simply Teflon.
There are two different versions of the Fusso Coat 12M. One version for dark paints and one for light paints. If you do not currently own a car that is black or white, the question arises as to which version to buy now?
In our opinion, this does not matter, it is probably more about Soft99's clever marketing. In this way, the customer may be brought to buy the second pack.
There are nonetheless slight differences between the light and dark versions. The light Fusso Coat is cream colored and the dark is more mint green. However, this is due to the dyes and has no effect on the function. Also the light Fusso Coat has a little more solvent, but this also has no noticeable effect on the function. Soft99 recommends the light version for silver and white cars and the dark version for alle the other colors and black. When in doubt you should therefore buy the dark version, since it covers more colors.
Why is it the best car wax?
The answer is quite simple. It has a nearly unbelievable performance. The beading and sheeting is unmatched and it lasts longer, than every other car wax. And if it wouldn´t be enough - it is also a bargain.
Pro tips for correct application:
- Wash your car properly (wipe the car down wit IPA mixed with water or an appropiate degreaser)
- Apply the product in a very thin layer
- Work in sections
- Remove the product with several microfiber cloths 5-15 min after application
Pros |
|---|
Durability of actual 8 months |
Perfect beading and sheeting |
Economicalness |
Application sponge included |
Cons |
|---|
Can leave a slight haze if missaplied |
Autoglym Ultra High Definition - Perfect all around car wax
Unlike another carnauba waxes the Autoglym Ultra High Definition hasn´t the slight yellow tone to it. This results from highly refined carnauba which is used in this product. The pure white color makes it seem like a blend of montan wax - but it really isn´t.
Not just the ingredients are premium. The whole presentation of the wax is likewise high class. Even the applicator is in the perfect size for the jar. The gray top you hold on to is a little bit firmer than the soft white bottom you use to apply the wax. It is just perfect. Although you could even apply it with your hands.
Equally easy as the application is buffing of the wax. After a few minutes cure time it comes off like a breeze. No sight of hazing or smearing. Only a perfect high gloss finish. We would say it is one of the best car waxes to work with. You can´t really do anything wrong when using this wax. Nevertheless it says in the product description you shouldn´t get it on any of the trim or rubber. But dont worry if it happens, just wipe it away with a alcohol based cleaner.
Pros |
|---|
Ease of use |
High quality |
Great beading and sheeting |
Very good durability for a carnauba wax |
Applicator and microfibre towel included |
Product packaging has a premium feel |
Easy to buff off |
Cons |
|---|
Price |
Bilt Hamber Double Speed-Wax - Best hybrid car wax
The Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax has one of the best price/performance ratios in our car wax comparison.
In addition to the 250ml wax, you also get an application pad and a microfiber cloth for free. This gives you everything you need to work with the wax.
DSW is a hybrid wax, it is composed of polymers and high quality T1 carnauba wax. The polymers increase the durability and enhance the water repellant properties quite ab bit.
Repelling water is one of the biggest strenghts of the double speed wax. The beading/sheeting effect does not have to shy away from the comparison with much more expensive car wax. It often even exceeds the water repellency of the more expensive competition.
Bilt Hamber double speed wax won the award 'Best Car Wax 2018' from the Auto Express magazine and was described as having 'stunning durability' when tested against other highly rated car wax and polish products.
Pros |
|---|
Highly water repellent |
Low price |
Good durability |
Applicator and microfibre towel included |
Cons |
|---|
None |
Autofinesse Essence - Easy to use carnauba wax for cars
Autofinesse has many different blends of carnauba wax to offer. Essence is their all around wax, which provides a good combination off gloss and durability. It contains 40% T1 grade Brazilian carnauba wax by volume, with the remainder being made up of synthetic polymers, and gloss-intensifying oils.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Swiss luxury brands, you should consider a Carnauba car wax from Auto finesse. It is also handmade and presented like a luxury car wax, but reasonably priced.
As it is common with carnauba wax, it is very easy to work with. The durability is also quite impressive for a natural wax. You can count on 3 to 5 month till the wax should be renewed. The 5 months can only be achieved with appropriate care.
Pros |
|---|
Provides 3-5 months protection |
Easy to apply and buff off |
Great gloss |
Cons |
|---|
Price |
Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax - Great synthetic car wax
The Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax is a fully synthetic car wax. It is designed for the average user and is therefore really easy to work with. Even though we wouldn´t recommend it, you could even apply it in the sun, without worries.
In addition, the product is harmless on plastic and decorative parts, it leaves no white residue if you forget to remove it in time.
Just a little bit of product is enough to cover large areas. Because of that and the incredible amount of delivered product (311g) you can protect a whole fleet of cars for years.
The packaging mentions that it is "Our most hydrophobic car wax". That may be true for Meguiars products, but if you look at the best car waxes in our comparison, it just gets outperformed when it comes to water repellency.
Pros |
|---|
Price |
Applicator and microfiber towel included |
High quality packaging |
Cons |
|---|
Beading and sheeting could be better |
Turtle Wax Hard Shell - Best value for money
Last but not least we take a look at the best value for money car wax. For just under 8 pounds you get 397g car wax. The other car waxes do not even come close to this price ratio.
Of course, this price can only be achieved through mass production. That's why the pour doesn´t look as good as on the more expenisve products, which are sometimes even handmade. In addition, the packaging is not as proper as with the more expensive car waxes.
Besides the poor presentation you get a proper car wax which is capable of protecting your car for quite some time. But certainly you will never achieve the "up to 12 monts durability". 3-4 months is a more realistic period of time.
Pros |
|---|
Very cheap price |
Good protection |
Easy to use |
Cons |
|---|
Poor presentation |
Claimed durability is unrealistic |
Car wax buyer´s guide
Natural car wax (carnauba wax)
It is a natural wax. It mostly comes from countries like Brazil. Carnauba wax has the property of breaking the light into the warm color of the light spectrum. As a result, it increases the gloss of the car for the human eye. For this reason, carnauba wax is the wax that achieves the best shine. Carnauba wax is the reference in terms of gloss and ease of use for detailers and enthusiasts.
Synthetic wax
In contrast to carnauba wax, it does not contain any natural wax. The majority of the ingredients are synthetic. The biggest advantage of synthetic waxes is their resistance to cleaning agents. Due to their chemical structure, the waxes are more resistant to cold, heat, moisture, water and UV rays.
In addition, synthetic waxes are cheaper than natural waxes because they are produced in large quantities and therefore reach the European market in large quantities.
Hybrid wax
Hybrid waxes, as the name suggests, are combination of the properties of natural and synthetic waxes. In addition to wax, additional sealing components are included here. This extends the life of the wax layer. A typical combination for a hybrid wax is carnauba wax and silicon (as used, for example, in ceramic coating).
The goal is to combine the advantages of a natural car wax with the advantages of synthetic elements to create the perfect car wax. Or at least get as close as possible.
How to wax a car?
The preparatory work is crucial in order to achieve the best possible result. Even the best car wax cannot work miracles without careful preparatory work.
After washing your car, you should clear the paint of all residues that are still on the paint after washing. You can use a mild paint cleaning clay or a liquid paint cleaner for this. A good paint precleaner prepares your paint optimally for the use of car wax.
The wax is applied with an applicator sponge either in a circular motion or even better in a so-called cross-stitch. The wax is applied in strips (horizontally/vertically. This ensures that you do not forget any spots and the wax is applied very evenly.
Depending on the paint condition, it is advisable to polish the car beforehand. Car wax is not made to hide deep scratches or paint defects. It preserves the paint condition as it is.
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