Best Car Wax?
Being a Professional Car Detailer I have tried many waxes over the years, and we still can’t decide on just one favorite! For example, we have one that works very well on light coloured cars, another that works well on dark coloured cars, another that is good for dark cars with swirl marks, and then we have the waxes which last a long time.
Despite any impression that a car care products company may give you, there is no real magic to waxes. They are all basically the same, it’s just that the quantities of the ingredients are altered to give different effects (such as shine vs longevity, ease of application, price, etc.).
The general rule of thumb is that the shinier a wax, the less it lasts. The two extremes of this are show-shine which gives a wet look finish but won’t last much longer than the show, and others that will last a good 3 months. Remember we are talking about Carnauba Waxes here not Synthetic.
Does ‘best wax’ mean the shiniest, or does it mean best protection, or does it mean last the longest lasting? My opinion is that it should be the best balance of all three with price and ease of use factored in. But for many enthusiast it usually just means the best shine.
Unfortunately, people do get taken in by fancy labels and extravagant claims, and with many things, trends and fashions can develop with people convincing themselves that a product is the best thing since sliced bread. Soon everybody is jumping on the bandwagon.
While we normally say that recommendation is the best way to pick products and services, you should always take products with fancy packaging and fancy price-tags with a pinch of salt, remember that all waxes are basically made of wax, fat, oil, solvent, emulsifier and water etc.
The real key to having a beautiful car is not the wax, it’s the preparation of the paintwork. As the old saying goes, you can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear, no matter what wax you use.
Waxes and sealants are clear coatings, any problems underneath will show through so you are better off thinking about polishes than waxes.
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I have used a wax called Zymol and loved it. First of all its all natural. Next its German made, no petroleum distillates, and easy to use. For best results, I always use an orbital buffer so it does not leave paint swirls. Finally, after you complete the process of wax removal, mist spray water to the finish and remove with a fresh buff pad. Then do your crack and crevace removal. I swear by this product.