Whether you’ve just got the keys or it's been your reliable stead for many years, you probably want your car to have a dealership-level shine for as long as possible - and the best way to do that? A good quality, long-lasting car wax to keep your vehicle looking showroom-fresh for longer.
What is car wax and why do you need it?
Car wax is a protective coating that you apply on top of the clear coat, which is the outermost layer of paint on your car. Car wax helps to preserve the shine and colour of your paint, while protecting it from environmental factors like UV rays, rain, dust and bird droppings. Wax also fills in minor scratches and swirl marks, making your car look smoother and glossier.
What are the different types of car wax?
There are three main types of car wax: natural, synthetic and hybrid.
- Natural car wax: is usually made from carnauba, a plant-based wax that comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree. Carnauba wax is known for its high gloss finish and durability, but it can also be hard to apply and remove and it may melt or fade in high temperatures.
- Synthetic car wax: is made from polymers, resins and other man-made ingredients that mimic the properties of natural wax. Synthetic wax is easier to use and lasts longer than natural wax, but it may not produce the same depth and warmth of shine.
- Hybrid car wax: is a combination of natural and synthetic wax, offering the best of both worlds. Hybrid wax blends the shine and richness of carnauba with the ease and longevity of polymers, creating a versatile and balanced product.
We've rounded up all of the best car waxes
Fusso Coat 12 Months Wax Dark hard car wax
This Fusso Coat 12 Months Wax Dark hard car wax is a great all-rounder, offering amazing protection, durability and shine for your vehicle's paintwork. A hard car wax that's specially designed for dark-coloured cars, it contains a synthetic fluoropolymer called PTFE, which creates a super-hydrophobic layer on your motor's surface. This layer repels water, dirt and other contaminants and prevents them from sticking. Easy to apply and remove, the wax will last for up to 12 months, or even longer if you use a maintenance spray.
Buy now £27.99, Amazon
Bilt Hamber Double Speed-Wax
Bilt Hamber’s Double Speed-Wax has won many awards and accolades for its performance, durability and value and is considered one of the best car waxes available in the UK. The wax is made from T1 grade carnauba wax, which is the highest quality and purest form of carnauba wax available and comes blended with microcrystalline waxes, which are synthetic waxes that have a very fine and uniform structure.
The result? A wax that helps to fill in the microscopic imperfections and swirl marks on your paintwork, creating a smooth and even surface. This combo also improves the durability and resistance of the wax against environmental contaminants including UV rays, bird droppings and road salt.
Buy now £19.15, Amazon
Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray Ultra Hydrophobic
This Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray Ultra Hydrophobic offers amazing protection and shine. A spray-on ceramic coating that gives your car superior paintwork protection, it forms a durable and hydrophobic layer that repels water, dirt and contaminants, making your motor easier to clean and maintain. It also adds a brilliant gloss to your vehicle's paint, giving it a wet look that lasts for months. It's often called out for giving a good showroom result, making it a top choice for anyone who wants the best of the best.
Buy now £16.83, Amazon
Simoniz SIM0010A Original Carnauba Wax
Simoniz’s SIM0010A Original Carnauba Wax is a classic product that has been around for decades, and for good reason. It's made with natural carnauba wax and has a paste-like consistency, which means you need to apply it with a soft cloth or a foam applicator. You'll get a deep, rich shine that lasts for months and a smooth, slick feel that repels dirt and water. It works well on classic cars as well as modern ones and is often compared to more expensive brands.
Buy now £8.49, CarSpares
Meguiar's G7014EU Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Car Wax
If you're looking for a car wax that delivers amazing results, protects your paint and enhances the shine and depth of your vehicle's colour, Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Car Wax ticks all the boxes This is a high-quality formula that blends natural carnauba with synthetic polymers to create a durable and glossy finish. This wax is designed to be user-friendly and hassle-free and promises not to leave any dusty residue or white marks on your trim. Its premium mix means it provides a strong barrier against UV rays and water spots, while also helping to prevent oxidation and fading of your paint.
Buy now £25.64, Amazon
Turtle Wax Original Hard Shell Shine Car Wax Turtle Wax Original Hard Shell Shine Car Wax
This Turtle Wax Original Hard Shell Shine Car Wax is a great product that will give your car a long-lasting shine and protection. It comes in a liquid form that you can apply with a sponge or a microfibre cloth, which means you don't need to wait for it to dry or haze, just wipe it off with a clean cloth and you're done. It's also safe to use on all types of paint, including clear coat and metallic finishes. This car wax's unique formula contains carnauba wax too, ensuring your paint looks smoother and glossier after application.
Buy now £4.20, Amazon
Sonax Profiline Polymer-Netshield
The Sonax Profiline Polymer-Netshield is a hybrid polymer paint sealant that promises to protect your car's paintwork for up to six months. An aerosol-based spray that's easy to apply and remove, it takes only a few minutes without any special tools to see the results.
This wax uses organic and inorganic hybrid polymers that react with oxygen and form a durable net-like structure on the paint, which creates a high surface tension that repels water, dirt and other contaminants. It's a great option for keeping your motor cleaner for longer while offering a brilliant shine. It works well on all colours and types of paint, including metallic and matte finishes and can also be used on plastic trims and rubber seals.
Buy now £29.99, Sonax
303 Products Graphene Nano Spray Coating
The 303 Products Graphene Nano Spray Coating is a spray-on paint coating that uses graphene as the primary protection ingredient. Graphene is a form of carbon that's extremely strong, thin and flexible which, in a car wax setting, enhances gloss and paint clarity, keeps water away from the surface, repels dust and lowers surface temperature. It also works on chrome, wheels, trim and glass.
Renowned for its impressive results on black or dark-coloured cars in particular, it offers a mirror-like finish with impressive application, durability and shine.
Buy now £22.74, Amazon
Flex polymer spray sealant
This Duel Flex polymer is a spray sealant that uses synthetic polymers to create a hydrophobic and gloss-enhancing layer on your car's paintwork. This means that water and dirt will simply bead off the car, leaving it impressively clean and shiny for longer. Its synthetic protection lasts up to two months, which is much longer than most natural waxes. One bottle of this wax spray lasts for around 20 applications, which means you can likely protect your car for a whole year with just one bottle.
Buy now £19.52, Duel
JENOLITE Waxoil Rust Prevention & Protection Aerosol Spray
The JENOLITE Wax Oil Rust Prevention & Protection Aerosol Spray is almost effortless to use and impressively versatile. Just need to shake the can well, spray it evenly on the surface you want to protect, and let it dry for about 15 minutes. You can use it on any metal, plastic or wood surface to prevent rust and corrosion and also enhance appearance and colour. It not only prevents rust from forming, but also stops existing rust from spreading. It's usually cheaper than an oil-based wax but just as effective.
Buy now £26.84, Amazon
Verdict
You'll likely see it recommended a lot because this Fusso Coat 12 Months Wax Dark hard car wax is a top choice when it comes to the best car wax. It's easy to apply and remove and does an excellent job, particularly on darker-coloured cars.
