Your Guide to the Longest-Lasting Car Wax
From Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax to Turtle Wax 1-Step Wax and Dry, these five car waxes produce a long-lasting shine and protection.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Why use a car wax
- What to consider when buying a long-lasting car wax
- Types of car wax
- Top 5 best longest lasting car wax
- How to find affordable car insurance
- FAQs
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The top longest-lasting car waxes include Car Guys Hybrid Wax, Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax, Turtle Wax 1-Step Wax and Dry, Chemical Guys HydroSlick Hyper Wax, and Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax.
Waxing your car’s paint isn’t just for dedicated motorheads. Every car owner should implement a regular wax into your vehicle maintenance routine to keep your car’s paint job in good shape. Having a good, long-lasting car wax will protect your vehicle’s paint from scratches and scuffs, grime and dirt, and harmful UV rays that leave the paint looking dull and dingy.
There are a lot of different car waxes out there, and choosing the right one for you and your car can seem overwhelming. Should you go for a paste or a spray? Natural or synthetic? Which brand is the best?
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Why use a car wax
Waxing your car may seem like something that is just cosmetic, something a little extra to get that pretty shine. While your car will likely look more pleasing and probably catch more eyes than without, car wax is used as a protectant as well.
With an even coat of wax, your vehicle’s paint job is more protected from harmful UV rays that work to dull your car’s color. Car wax also forms a barrier between contaminants and its paint, so dirt, debris, bird poop, sap, tar, and crushed bugs will have a harder time sticking to your paint. That means you’ll save time and money on car washes too!
Your car’s resale value also will increase if you maintain a regular waxing schedule—that shiny, intact paint job can be used as a selling point.
What to consider when buying a long-lasting car wax
So you’ve decided you’re going to wax your car this weekend! But then you get to the store and realize there are so many options and now you’re overwhelmed and how do you know what is best for your needs? Here are some things to consider that will make buying car wax a bit easier:
- Your budget. There are a lot of options that span a large range of prices, so identifying a budget will narrow down your choices.
- Your time. Spray wax is typically the quickest application, while a paste wax job could take place over a whole weekend.
- Your preferences. There are non-toxic and natural options, synthetic options, or a combination of the two. Consider whether you’d prefer scented or unscented. Do you favor a particular brand? Are you looking for a wax that just waxes or one that cleans too?
- Your vehicle. The color of your vehicle may determine what kind of wax you need—if you have a black car, you may want to look into black wax. You should also note if your car’s paint has a shiny or matte finish and select the type of car wax that works best for that finish.
Types of car wax
With many different types of wax out there, knowing the basics of the different types will help you select the best wax for your ride. You can consider factors like the type of shine you want or if you want the wax to function as a washing product as well—and how much time you can dedicate to the waxing process.
In general, there are three different formulas of car wax available:
- Carnauba wax is a natural ingredient from the Carnauba tree of Brazil. This kind of wax produces a dreamy, warm shine and is long-lasting on most types of car paint. Carnauba wax’s natural origins make it non-toxic, however, you may need to reapply this wax more often than other kinds.
- Synthetic wax produces that classic, slick shine that a lot of people think of when they think of a waxed car. This kind of wax is made with resins and synthetic polymers and is typically longer lasting than carnauba wax.
- Hybrid wax contains both carnauba and synthetic wax.
Car wax application types
There are also three main car wax application types:
- Spray wax is considered the easiest application. You’ll simply have to spray an even coat on your vehicle’s paint and wipe it down according to the bottle’s instructions.
- Liquid wax is a bit more time-consuming but typically leaves a deeper shine than spray wax. This method involves pouring wax onto a microfiber cloth or soft foam applicator and applying the wax according to the instructions. Once it dries, you’ll use a clean cloth to buff the residue away.
- Paste wax requires the most effort but is generally regarded as the best protectant. Using a soft foam applicator or a microfiber cloth, apply the wax to your car’s paint according to your specific wax’s directions, and then buff it clean.
MORE: How do I get liability insurance for a financed car?
Pro Tip Look up a few options of car waxes and read the reviews! Every brand wants to sell itself, but the real-life users will have more objective views.
Top 5 best longest lasting car wax
Create an enchanting shine while protecting your vehicle’s paint from contaminants and sunlight! Check out the options below for some of the best and longest-lasting car waxes on the market.
1. Car Guys Hybrid Wax
Car Guys Hybrid Wax produces a deep surface shine for your car’s paint, glass, or plastic. This hybrid wax is infused with Carnauba wax and offers long-lasting protection with easy application. Each product is mixed and bottled in the U.S.
Pros
- Long-lasting sleek shine and protectant
- Easy to apply
Cons
- More expensive than similar products
2. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax will “melt” all over your vehicle, boat, motorcycle, or RV’s paint job to produce a deep, protective shine. This liquid wax is beginner-friendly and will protect your vehicle from UVB and UVA rays.
Pros
- Easy application, beginner-friendly
- Smells great
- Easy to buff out
Cons
- Reports of low durability
- Not recommended for matte finishes
3. Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Paste Wax
Turtle Wax Carnauba Cleaner Paste Wax uses micro-polishing agents in the wax that are used to buff away any scuffs, scratches, and marks on your car’s paint job. The finish provides a durable and water-repellent surface that protects your vehicle from damaging contaminants.
Pros
- Resilient barrier
- Smells good
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Reports of difficulty buffing out
4. Chemical Guys HydroSlick Hyper Wax
Another one from Chemical Guys, their HydroSlick Hyper Wax is a gel wax that contains properties of both traditional wax and ceramic coating. This combination produces a clear, smooth, and durable shine and an impressive water-repelling formula.
Pros
- Easy application
- Great water beading
- Makes colors pop
Cons
- A pain to buff off if left too long
- Expensive
5. Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax
Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax is made of a specialized formula that produces a deep, reflective shine. There are strong protective polymers in the wax and it can be used on glossy and clear coat paint finishes.
Pros
- Easy application
- Brilliant shine
- Protective finish
Cons
- May need a few coats to cover marks
- Can be a little tougher to buff out
How to find affordable car insurance
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FAQs
Do I have to wash my car before I wax it?
Yes, it is an essential step to wash your car before going in with the wax. Washing your car will remove dirt and debris from the paint and will allow for a smoother application and finish of the wax.
How often should I wax my car?
Generally speaking, you should wax your car twice a year. However, this may change to a more or less frequent schedule depending on your driving and parking environments and the climate of where you live. Plentiful and direct sunlight exposure will wear on your car’s paint, so if you’re in an area with a lot of sunshine, you’ll want to keep up on your car’s wax more often.
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