Chemical Guys

Affordable and provides wonderful final results. Chemical Guys sells a wide assortment of waxes, but the Butter Wet Wax is a tried-and-true performer every time. The formula applies easily and wipes off with little effort, and it’s totally OK to wax a freshly washed car with Butter Wet Wax while it’s wet. Then, you can check two things off at once as you dry the car and buff the wax off at the same time. For beginners or experienced car detailers, Butter Wet Wax won’t let you down.

Meguiar’s

A staple in auto parts stores and really any place that sells car wax, Meguiar’s Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax is a solid all-rounder that’s easy to use, just like our best overall wax pick. Application and removal with a microfiber towel is simple and the final result leaves depth and a slick paint job finish. It’s not as versatile as Butter Wet Wax, but this Meguiar’s wax won’t let you down, either.

Griot’s Garage

For those who want to make their detailing more old-school, nothing beats a tin of carnauba paste car wax, a hand applicator and elbow grease. Sure, machine application makes things quicker, but waxing can be a time to bond with your car and appreciate it. For the price and overall quality, Griot’s Garage Premium Carnauba Paste Wax hits all the high notes with a simple application and a rich carnauba formula. Just be sure to have a clean foam applicator handy and Griot’s will do its job. Seriously, Griot’s will make a car’s paint job look like glass when you’re done.

Chemical Guys

For those who want to splurge a little more, Chemical Guys’ Lava Luminous Glow Infusion paste wax is a downright tremendous formula. It’s still a carnauba wax and comes in a paste form like our top carnauba pick and it applies as if you’re greasing a baking sheet. After hazing, Lava comes off paint really easily with a microfiber cloth, too, and a little goes a long way here. While it doesn’t last as long as our top pick, it’s a perfect car wax for those who like to spend more time with their car and have the budget to do so.

Liquid Glass

OK, this isn’t technically a car wax. It’s a car polish. But for those who want probably the easiest product to apply in liquid form, Liquid Glass Ultimate Auto Polish is a hands-down home run. Don’t let its outdated tin look fool you, Liquid Glass is the real deal with a single coat providing super long-lasting paint protection and a finish that will have neighbors envious. It’s perfectly fine for clear coats and protects against the elements, too. Though the price is a tad high, a tin of this stuff will last a very, very long time.

Meguiar’s

For those that want to stick with a proper liquid wax, and spend a little less in the process, it’s tough to beat Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax. The synthetic car wax blend bonds well with paint, it’s safe to use on clear coats and it produces a healthy depth. Like its carnauba wax option, Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax is an excellent all-around option.

Adam’s

The word wax isn’t in the name, but trust us, this is a spray detailer that’s worth it. No fancy name, no nonsense. Adam’s Detail Spray creates an incredibly slick surface and boosts a car’s paint sheen. Though it’s a couple dollars more than our top pick, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used to prime buffer pads, applied as a drying agent or even to boost a traditional wax job.

Meguiar’s

The secret behind Meguiar’s Black Wax is the fact its formula is supposed to actually polish and wax at the same time, and it shows when applied to a black car or other dark-colored vehicle. The cream consistency of this colored wax is a little strange to use at first, but the product covers very well and helps fill in swirl marks and other blemishes. Oh, and if you don’t have a dark-colored car, it does make one specifically for white or other light-colored paint finishes, too. No matter which, it’s a top-notch wax.

3D

Remember how we said earlier we’d talk more about how waxes aren’t meant to fix the worst scratches in a paint finish? We decided to include a product that will fix scratches for this category, and it doesn’t get better than 3D One Professional Cutting, Polishing and Finishing Compound. In short, this miracle worker does three big steps in one, but it is not a wax. After using this, then apply a wax to finish things off.

This product isn’t the best for those looking for a quick fix to paintwork because it will require patience (and a dual-action polisher) if you plan to do an entire car. But for those in it to win it, 3D’s incredibly flexible product can’t be beat.

P&S

How about something for after the wax is off the car, for some added protection and shine? P&S Bead Maker Paint Protectant is just the thing. Bead Maker is effortlessly easy to apply and wipe off and it leaves a wildly satisfying soft finish after use. As the name implies, it’ll sheet water off a clear coat like it’s no one’s business and make a freshly waxed car look even better after curing for a few hours.