People post all the time asking what wax we recommend or especially, what is the best wax. Well, there isn't a “best wax”. There are many good waxes that fit different situations. There are also sealants. They generally apply the same as waxes, but serve different purposes.
So, what type of wax/sealant do you need to look for?
First, you need to know the differences between waxes and a sealants. For an excellent article on their differences, check the
Carnuba Wax vs. Paint Sealants article over at Autogeek.net.
Now that you know the differences, you have to decide which one is for you. If you like waxing your vehicle once every other month, a wax is a great option. If you would prefer to only wax your vehicle twice a year, a sealant is what you need. However, you also have to think about the color of your vehicle. Is it a dark vehicle? Metallic flakes? Do you want a deep, wet shine or a nice reflective shine that makes the flakes pop?
Well, waxes generally provide a deeper, wetter shine or warmer glow than do sealants. So, if you have a dark vehicle and want that depth, you need a good wax. If you have a light vehicle or one with flakes, sealants generally provide a pop that a wax may mute.
Another problem with looking for a good wax or sealant is that some of them are labeled wrong. For example, Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0. This is not a wax. It is a sealant. You have to read the label to start getting a good feel for what the product actually is. A lot of waxes will contain the word carnuba somewhere on the label. Also, there are some that label their sealants as polish. For example, Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish. This is not a polish. It is a sealant. Mislabeling is a very common practice in the detailing world. The best thing to do is know what service each provides and how it is made and you can get a good feel for what you are looking at when you read the label.
One thing to note about waxes is that there are a lot of waxes that you can buy over the counter (OTC) that are cleaner waxes. They contain cleaners in the wax that help clean the paint as you wax. Generally, these don't do much more than stain your trim and only last a couple of weeks. The best thing to do is to try and buy a pure carnuba wax or sealant and use a designated paint cleaner before applying either of them.
Liquid or Paste? Some waxes and sealants come in liquid or paste versions. Most waxes come in paste version, but some have liquid versions. Mos sealants come in liquid versions, but some have paste versions. For the most part, it is better to get a paste if possible. The additives that are required to get a wax in liquid version hamper it's longevity a little. Sometimes pastes have a higher carnuba content than their liquid versions. However, it is mostly up to you. Some people like the ease of use of a liquid and some people like that old fashioned feeling of using a paste. It is all up to you.
Finally, what if you want the best of both worlds. Well, a very common practice in the detailing world is to top a sealant with a wax. You get th longevity of a sealant but the depth of a wax. However, you have to remember that this may not be the best practice. If you have a vehicle with flakes, you may just want to coat it with a sealant and leave it alone. It is all in what you want.
So, now that you know that there is no "best wax" and you have a decent grasp on what wax/sealant to choose, you still want to know what we (as a forum) prefer.
A lot of people want to buy locally. So, what is good locally?
General recommendations for OTC purchases:
Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 - One of the longer lasting sealants you can find OTC. Really easy to apply and easy to remove. The most common problem is applying a thick layer. This will cause streaking upon removal. This sealant can be found just about anywhere. Can be found in liquid or paste versions.
Meguiar's #26 Hi-Tech Carnuba Wax - This wax is one of the best looking waxes that you can find not only OTC, but anywhere. I have seen it on darker colors beside waxes costing ten times as much and the #26 looked just as good. It comes in liquid and paste versions.
Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish - Not only is this one of the longer lasting OTC sealants, but it hangs pretty well with the more expensive online sealants. Easy to apply and very easy to remove. It is a great looking sealant on a large variety of colors.
The following link is a very helpful thread that captures some of the more popular waxes and sealants for a range of prices...
Best Waxes & Sealants at Different Prices
In this thread, people can post the waxes that they prefer and why. This way, we can try to eliminate the need for all of those "The Best Wax" threads we all love to hate that everyone gives their opinion in.
No product arguing. Just post your favorites and the OTC you recommend. If you have a question or beef, please IM the poster.
Things you want to include in your description:
The brand and the name.
Where it was purchased.
Price.
What color car you use it on.
How you apply it. (Machine, hand, foam applicator, etc…)
Pros.
Cons.
Mine...
Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish (sealant)
CarQuest
$9.99
I like it on light colors and anything with flakes. I also use it as a base for waxes on dark colors even though it looks pretty good as is on dark colors.
I apply it by hand with a foam applicator.
Pros: I like #105 because it is easy to put on and remove. It also looks great on any color, makes the vehicle really shine and it is one of the longer lasting sealants. I also like it because it can be purchased locally if you have a CarQuest around.
Cons: I haven't found anything to dislike about #105.
Collinite 476s (wax)
AutoGeek.net or Harbor Freight
$14.99 (AG) or ~$10,00 (HF)
I use it on any color, but it looks better on darker cars. It somewhat mutes flakes unlike #105 does.
I apply it by hand with a foam applicator.
Pros: I like 476s because it has to be the most durable carnuba based wax I have ever used. Even through the heat of summer and salty winters, I find my car still beading over and over. It also leaves a great shine and the carnuba in it adds to the depth of darker colors. It is also detergent proof. It really doesn't get removed with washes like other waxes. I tried to wash 476s out of a foam applicator with a high concentration of Dawn and it just wouldn't come all the way out. It really amazed me. I know have a designated foam applicator for 476s.
Cons: The only set-back to it is that it is a little more finicky to remove unless you apply it really thinly. It has a paint can type top that needs a tool to open.
Duragloss #951 Aqua Wax (spray sealant)
CarQuest
~$7.00
It makes any color shine, but it REALLY wets darker colors.
It is a spray wax so I spray it on the car and wipe it dry with a microfiber.
Pros: It is a cheap, awesome looking, completely easy to use wax. It lasts longer than most other OTC waxes/sealants I have tried and looks much better. It gets even deeper the day after application. This is a must have for anyone that likes adding quick coats of wax. I mostly apply it to my wife's car and even after a couple of weeks of washing, it still maintains its initial wetness and slickness.
Cons: None.
Pinnacle Souveran Paste (wax)
Autogeek.net
~$85 (BOGO special. I sold the other.lol)
Dark and light colors without flakes.
I apply it with a foam applicator.
Pros: Probably the best wax I have ever used. Extremely deep shine on darker colors and a nice warm shine on light colors. It can't be any easier to apply and remove a wax than this one. Smells AWESOME!
Cons: A little pricey if not purchased on sale and mutes flakes.
Klasse Sealant Glaze (sealant)
Autogeek.net
$19.99
Light colors.
I apply it with a foam applicator.
Pros: Longest lasting sealant or wax that I have ever tested. Bullet proof almost.
Cons: Sometimes hard to remove even when applied thinly. Since you have to apply it so thinly, it generally takes two coats to get good coverage.
P21s Concours Carnuba Wax (wax)
Autogeek.net
$33.99
Any color.
I apply it with the included applicator.
Pros: Looks good on every color I have ever tried it on. Cheaper than other boutique waxes but looks just as good. Easy to apply and remove. Adds a warmth to flakes without muting them. Has a great, soft applicator pad to work with included.
Cons: Doesn't smell that great.
