Best car wax: 7 professional waxes compared

The best car wax depends on what you ask of it. If you want deep, warm gloss, choose a carnauba paste wax. If you want to wax quickly and often, a wax spray is the better choice. If you need protection that lasts through winter, take a synthetic paste wax. Below we compare seven professional car waxes from our workshop and webshop and say who each one suits best.

What to look for in a car wax

Carnauba is a natural wax known for depth and warmth in the shine, especially on dark and metallic paint. Synthetic waxes and sealants are made for longer durability and a sleek, smooth finish. You also choose a format: paste gives the most control, liquid covers a large panel faster, and a wax spray is finished in a few minutes. Browse everything in our wax category.

Pay attention to paint colour and preparation too. Wax bonds best to paint that is clean and free of old wax and contamination. Work in the shade, on a cool panel, and apply the wax thinly. Thin works better than thick, because you buff the excess away anyway. If you are unsure between wax, sealant and ceramic coating, read our guide choosing wax, sealant or ceramic coating.

Comparison: the best car wax for each situation

The seven waxes in brief

Chemical Guys Pete's 53 Black Pearl

A paste wax with 53% Brazilian white carnauba. It gives a warm, deep wet look and suits dark, metallic and pearl paint colours especially well. You work wipe-on, wipe-off with no drying time. For anyone who wants the classic carnauba experience.

Bilt Hamber Hydra-Wax

Bilt Hamber's finishing wax with more than 50% T1 carnauba and no abrasives. It adds depth and gloss to paint that is already in good condition. For those who want a glass-like result after washing and preparing the paint.

Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax

A hard carnauba wax with T1 carnauba that you apply in one step: spread a thin layer, wait a few minutes and buff to a gloss. The result is strongly water-repellent and your next wash gets easier. For anyone short on time who still wants paste-wax gloss.

Shiny Garage Extreme Wear Wax

A synthetic paste wax with polymers and silica, made for the winter months. Let it cure for 10 to 15 minutes and use the swipe test to check it is ready to buff. With weekly washes using a mild shampoo it gives up to 6 months of protection. For anyone who wants as little topping up as possible in winter.

Shiny Garage Carnauba Spray Wax

A carnauba-based wax spray, ready to use with no dilution. You get gloss and round beads in a few minutes, for roughly 4 to 6 weeks of protection in normal outdoor use. It is pH-neutral and safe over existing sealants and ceramic coatings. For anyone who refreshes the paint weekly or every few weeks.

Chemical Guys White Paste Wax

A paste wax made for white, pearl and other light paint colours, with natural carnauba and a synthetic sealant. UV blockers slow the yellowing of white paint. Let it dry for about 20 minutes and buff off with a clean microfibre cloth. For anyone with a white or light-coloured car.

Chemical Guys Slick Finish Cleaner Wax

A creamy carnauba wax with fine micro-abrasives that remove light oxidation, water residue and weak swirls, after which the carnauba leaves a deep, warm gloss. Use it by hand or with a polisher. For those who want to clean and protect in one step.

Looking for a quicker route than paste wax? A sealant or quick detailer is a short, practical addition. You will find them in sealants and quick detailers.

Which one suits you

• Dark or metallic paint and you love depth: Pete's 53 or Hydra-Wax.

• You want to finish fast: Double Speed Wax for paste, or the Carnauba Spray Wax if you want no paste at all.

• Your car stays outside all year and you want long protection: Extreme Wear Wax.

• White or light paint: White Paste Wax.

• Paint with light oxidation or weak swirls and you do not want to polish separately: Slick Finish Cleaner Wax.

• You want to know how to do it: read how to wax your car.