Choosing the Best Car Wax

Not all car wax is created equal! 

You probably already knew that. But did you know that not all car finishes are created equal?

It's true! So how do you choose the best car wax?

Most cars from the '90s on through today are finished with a clear top coat for added protection.

But even that isn't a magical armor against the elements. Neglected finishes of this type can often get scratches and become oxidized. 

Cars with original paint from the '80s or older or cars that have been repainted probably have no clear coat and are extra vulnerable to the elements.

Two different types of finishes: Clear coat and non-clear coat. Depending on the condition of the paint, there is a best car wax and a best way to maintain each. 

Natural Wax vs. Synthetic Wax

Natural waxes  generally include carnauba, which is derived from a tropical palm from Brazil. Other ingredients include beeswax and/or petroleum products in varying amounts. This generally is in paste form but is also sold in liquid form. It gives a depth and richness to paint that synthetics don't, but are not as long lasting. Plan on reapplying every couple of months.

Synthetic wax  makes up the majority of products available. They tend to be more sealant than wax and mostly come in liquid or spray form but are also available as a paste. What they lack in giving depth and richness, they make up for in durability and in the case of sprays, ease of application. Plan on having to apply once per season.

Some car enthusiasts believe the best car wax is actually a combination of two. They prefer to apply a coat of synthetic wax for long-lasting protection topped off with a coat of natural wax for maximum richness of shine.

  

Do you know your finish type? 

Most people probably don't, especially if they bought their car used.

There is a chance your used car was in an accident and at least part of it was repainted without a top coat. 

Here's how to find out. 

1. Apply a very mildly abrasive polish to a light colored cloth (or dark cloth for 

    light paint).

2. Gently rub the paint in an inconspicuous place.

3. Check the bottom of the cloth to see if there is color on it. If there is color, the 

    finish is non clear coat.

4. Check each section of the vehicle. There may have been a section that was 

    repainted after repair.

The best car wax for non clear-coat finishes

This type of finish has no protection. Wax serves as a temporary layer that fills in micro-scratches and pits in the paint and generally smooths the surface so that it becomes shiny and reflective.

Good-condition paint

If your finish is already in prime condition, the best car wax (or at least the easiest) is a spray-on/wipe-off product. These don't have the lasting power of a paste or liquid, but that won't matter if you apply regularly. 

Liquid wax can be hard to apply evenly and hard to remove, but tends to be regarded as longer lasting than sprays and even paste. 

Paste gives your finish a deeper, richer appearance than either sprays or liquid, but is more labor-intensive and not as durable as liquid. 

Oxidized, degraded or faded paint

Generally, how you approach this depends on how bad of a condition the paint is in.

For minor scratches or paint slightly marred by door-dings or bumpers, a mildly abrasive polish spot applied is the first choice. Polish also can remove light etching caused by acid rain and bird droppings.

For medium oxidation, try polish first. If it seems like that's not enough, step up to a paint cleaner on the really bad parts.

For  heavily oxidized paint, try rubbing compound, use with car as it can quite abrasive.

Note: Never apply abrasives to the entire car. Spot application is recommended.

If you do use cleaner or compound, make sure to follow up with the least abrasive type ending with polish to smooth out the finish and give a good gloss. As a final step, always apply what you feel is the best car wax as that final layer of wax for protection.

The best car wax for clear-coat finishes

Good Condition 

Use what ever your choice of the best car wax you prefer: spray, liquid or paste. Just be sure it is a non-abrasive, clear-coat safe product.

Scratches and dull or oxidized clear-coat

The clear coat of a car's finish is usually several times thicker than the color coat, but it is still usually thinner than the thickness of a sheet of paper. Any minor scratches or mars are a lot easier to correct using simple clear-coat safe polish followed by a clear-coat safe wax.

Removing deeper scratches is risky since you don't want to remove too much of the clear.

For dull or oxidized clear-coat finishes, you can use a lightly abrasive polish, but make sure that it specifies on the packaging that it is clear-coat safe follow with what you feel is the best car wax as long as it is clear-coat safe. 

Sometimes the clear-coat actually fails and nothing short of repainting will restore the look. Failed clear-coats and oxidation can appear very similar. If polish doesn't help the clear-coat has probably had it.

So... natural or synthetic, spray, liquid or paste - which do you think is the best wax for your car?

 Next: Should you wax and buff by hand or use an electric car buffer?

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