Some car waxes can be worryingly expensive. SwissWax offers a fancy carnauba wax that costs over £2,500. Premium car care companies comb through the thesaurus to make its fancy waxes as adjective-filled as a joint of premium meat from M&S, but does that mean these waxes are better than others?
At the end of the day, car wax is consumable and will eventually need reapplying. It's also sacrificial, absorbing the wors. So, while it makes sense to use wax to care for a car's paintwork and make cleaning easier, it’s not the end of the world if you look at the lower end of the price spectrum.
There are plenty of waxes for sale today that cost less than a tenner and will offer more than decent performance and shine. These waxes won’t feature the same fancy packaging or exotic, infused-carnauba extras but will offer months of hydrophobic protection.
If you're prepared to spend a little more and are after a longer-lasting wax, we also have guides to paint sealants and ceramic coatings.
The best budget car waxes
The best budget car wax
Spray waxes are a popular time-saving option and modern examples offer decent protection, even if it won't last as long as a liquid or paste option. This option from Turtle Wax combines natural carnauba wax with synthetic hydrophobic sealants for deep shine and paint protection.
It's very simple to use, requiring no curing time and nothing more than a microfibre towel to wipe and buff the spray. It can also be applied to either a wet or dry car which makes it a time-saving option too. Turtle Wax claims up to a year's protection but that seems a touch optimistic for a spray wax. Still, it's a cheap and time-saving way to protect a car.
The best budget liquid car wax
Liquid waxes blend the longevity of paste waxes with the easy application offered by spray waxes making them excellent choices for paint protection. Turtle Wax Hard Shell Shine Car Liquid Wax is a classic car care product and offers excellent value for money.
With a formula dating back to the 1950s, this wax is a basic way of keeping a car protected. It makes use of natural waxes and cleaners to ensure longer protection and a deep surface gloss. It's not the most advanced formula but it's non-abrasive and can be used on most types of paintworks.
The best budget paste car wax
www.eurocarparts.com
A touch of class on a budget is possible thanks to EZ Car Care. The wax certainly looks fancy thanks to the packaging while the T1 carnauba wax is scented to make the application process more enjoyable. The fact it's a paste wax also means that it'll offer excellent protection, even if the application time will be longer than spray and liquid options.
There's more than just fancy packaging too, this wax makes use of premium carnauba wax mixed with wetting and gloss agents to deliver a deep shine to the paintwork.
The best budget car wax for glossy paintwork
This isn't a wax, it won't provide any hydrophobic protection whatsoever. What it will deliver however is an effortless shine to a car's paintwork. It's not durable and works best as a quick fix, but for adding some extra pizazz to paintwork in a pinch, nothing can match its effectiveness.
We like how easy it is to use - simply spray and wipe away any excess, how affordable it is and the nice sheen it gives to a car's paintwork. It may be even if it's a temporary look compared to a proper wax. It's a handy detailing product to keep in the car for on-the-go gloss enhancement.
What else do I need to wax a car?
Unless you're intending on adding the wax by hand you'll be needing a couple of extra products to apply and buff these waxes. The first is a decent applicator; make sure it's either foam or microfibre.
Top tip: Dampen your applicator with a little water to ensure the wax is applied a lot easier.
The second item you'll need will be a microfibre towel to buff away excess product and ensure the wax is evenly spread across your bodywork.
A panel wipe will ensure that there are no contaminants left when you apply the wax, but are by no means necessary, especially as these waxes will only last a couple of months at best.
How do I wax a car?
Every car wax is different so it's best to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to get the best results. That being said it's always better to wax a car out of direct sunlight and the protection will last longer if you add a second coat.
What about wash and wax shampoos?
It can be very tempting to look at a wash and wax shampoo and think you can save a bit of cash and time by waxing the car as you wash it. The issue with these products is the protection offered is often patchy at best and can even trap debris which poses a threat risk. Stick to a quality car shampoo and instead use a decent spray wax if you're short on time.