If you are a certified petrolhead, a good car wax is one of the best gifts you can give your beloved-on-four-wheels. Read on to know which car waxes can be said to be the best in the business.
Taking care of a car
Taking care of a car involves more than just diligently delivering it to the mechanic and paying the bills. There are a few procedures that can easily be done at home at a much lower cost. Waxing / polishing your car is one of the easy DIY procedures. It keeps the paint safe from (small amounts of) dirt or bird droppings, and goes a long way towards ensuring your car looks spanking new after years, even generations.
Car wax comes in three different forms – liquid, paste, and spray, each with its own pros and cons. When it comes to durability, liquid wax is considered to be the best, but applying it evenly can be a bit tedious. Paste wax can be applied relatively easily, but it dries very quickly — sometimes too quickly. Spray wax is the easiest car wax to use, and thus is considered ideal for amateur car enthusiasts. Also, spray waxes are highly compatible with plastic. But spray-wax coats are very thin, and hence less effective when it comes to cleaning and durability. Spray waxes are handy if you plan to wax the car every 2-3 weeks; for longer intervals, liquid or paste wax is the better option.
Most waxes are coupled with an applicator; you will hardly ever come across a wax brand which is sold without this add-on. If the specific applicator is not available, sponge is the next best option. Before applying the wax, you need to make sure that you go through car waxing tips and tricks, and get well-versed with the simple ones (e.g. wash and dry your car thoroughly, carry out this task in shade, etc.) before you begin. It is Imperative that you clean and wash the car Thoroughly — the capital I’s and T’s aren’t a misprint — before applying the wax, as even the smallest bit of dirt can wreak havoc with the surface of your car if ignored. The car must be clean and dry before applying the wax. If you are new to polishing, a simple search on Google or YouTube can answer all your questions.
Top 10 Car Waxes
With numerous brands available in the market — each boasting of superiority over the rest — it can be difficult to find out which car wax brand is the best. At the same time, you cannot afford to take the risk of making a mistake while making the choice, as it will directly affect the appearance of your vehicle. In such circumstances, you need to take various factors — the durability and protection offered, the task of applying it, the cost, etc. — into consideration to narrow down to the best. Since different makes and models of cars are made with different materials, it can be tricky to find the wax best for your car. If you have a trustworthy mechanic pal, you could ask for his advice on the best polish for your particular car, since he would know the material used in your vehicle and the best wax for it.
Turtle Wax Carnauba Car Wax T-6
Turtle Wax is considered by most, including Consumer Report, to be the best car wax available in the market, because it is very efficient at cleaning the car, and is also quite inexpensive at $6.44-$10.26. This carnauba (a superior type of palm wax, known as ‘queen of waxes’) wax gives your car a durable water-repellent cover, which makes sure that pollutants don’t end up harming the car surface.
Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid Wax
Owing to its easy-to-use application by hand or buffer/polisher, the Black Magic Wet Shine liquid wax is considered to be one of the best car waxes available. In fact, it is as good as the Turtle Wax, but the fact that wax removal is easier with the Turtle brand puts Black Magic in the second position. More importantly, it costs around $8- another advantage over other, more expensive brands available in the market.
Meguiar’s G-12718 NXT Generation Tech Wax
Predominantly known for its ability to give your car that clear-wet look, the Meguiar’s car wax uses the new Hydrophobic Polymer Technology which protects the surface against water (‘hydrophobic’, in this sense, means ‘water-repelling’) and consequently, surface degradation caused due to corrosion, oxidation etc. With a price tag of $20, the Meguiar’s NXT Gen Tech Wax is a bit more expensive than the first two, but still cheaper than many.
Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax
The fact that it is a non-staining paste is undoubtedly the USP of Pinnacle Souveran paste wax. Brazilian ivory carnauba and natural oils, which are the primary ingredients of this car wax, produce a brilliant and waterproof coat on dark colors, like red or black.
Zymol Hand Crafted Waxes
Zymol Hand Crafted Waxes are known to provide protection which other car polishes cannot provide. As in the case of Pinnacle wax, Brazilian Ivory Carnauba and natural oils are primary ingredients of Zymol wax, and it reflects well in the sheen produced by its application.
Nu Finish NFP-80
Low priced car wax brands don’t necessarily score low on performance when pitted against premium car wax brands; Nu Finish NFP-80 paste wax — at $8 — is one of the best examples of a car wax brand which gives your car a perfect shine and sturdy protection, all without going heavy on your pocket. The users have to be a bit careful, though, because not using this wax paste as directed can result in some undesired scratches on your car surface.
Mothers 20016 FX SynWax
Mothers 20016 FX SynWax, which is a synthetic wax, is specifically designed to spread quickly and easily, as a result of which it gives a perfectly even, glossy look. Priced at $12, this wax brand is known for its durability and excellent protection from UV rays. It is one of the best for dark shades. More importantly, the fact that it is free of abrasives and cleansers rules out the chances of damaging the surface.
One Grand Blitz Carnauba Wax
All carnauba waxes are costly — rightly so, taking into account the benefits of carnauba wax — and the One Grand Blitz is no exception. At the same time, all carnauba waxes are known to produce amazing results — again, the One Grand Blitz being no exception. It gels well with all car colors and provides effective protection against harmful elements. It costs about $30.
Eagle One 2081616 NanoWax
Deemed to be a technologically advanced product, Eagle NanoWax is your best bet if you need to fill minor scratches and conceal swirl marks on your car. This automotive wax is known to provide a long-lasting, glossy appearance without leaving any residue behind. At $14.98, it is not overly expensive, and is ideal for giving your car a quick and easy shine.
Mothers California Gold Carnauba Cleaner Wax
Mothers California Gold is yet another brand which benefits from having carnauba as its primary ingredient. It reduces the minor flaws and slight marks present on the car, thus making your car look as good as new. It is also very easy to apply, and works best with fiberglass and gel coats. It costs around $8-$15.
These were the ten of the best car wax brands which you can use to add to the grace of your car. Ideally, you should wax your car once every 2-3 months, since even the best waxes start to fade after 5-6 weeks, sometimes less. The use of car wax doesn’t just add to the appearance of your car, but also plays a crucial role in the maintenance of the vehicle, and thus helps boost its resale value.
