Top 5 Best Wax for a Red Car (2020 Review)

1. Turtle Wax Color Magic (Best Overall)
2. Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Paste Wax(Best Budget)
3. Pinnacle Natural Brilliance Souveran Paste Wax(Best High End)
4. Zymol Carbon Wax
5. CarGuys Hybrid Wax Sealant

What Is Car Wax?

Car wax is an automotive detailing product that essentially creates a barrier between your vehicle’s paint job and any outside elements.

These elements include, but are not limited to, dirt, grime, acid rain, UV rays from direct sunlight, rocks, tree sap, and tar. 

The barrier that is created by wax use is also hydrophobic, meaning that it is impermeable by water. When rain or other moisture is imparted upon a waxed surface, it will bead up and shed in short order.

The hydrophobic action is of immense value, as water that splashes from the roadway often is a carrier of pollutants and other chemicals that can be harmful to painted surfaces.

A newly applied coat of wax eliminates this potential harm, by minimizing possible contamination.

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What Are The Different Types Of Car Wax?

When discussing different types of car wax, it is important to understand that these types of products can be characterized in two different ways.

The first differentiating factor between car wax products relates to the manner in which they are applied. The second factor is that of the type of base stock that they consist of.

Application Types

Spray Wax

Many wax products now come packaged in an easy to use spray bottle. These spray waxes are convenient to use, as they allow quick and even distribution across all painted surfaces, and offer unmatched ease of application.

This minimizes application times and leaves your car’s paint protected and displaying a showroom quality shine.

Liquid Wax

Liquid car waxes are typically applied to a buffing towel or microfiber cloth, where they are evenly spread across the vehicle’s exterior. Some find this method of application to be slightly slower than that of spray waxes.

However, liquid waxes can be of benefit when ensuring that no painted surface goes untreated.

Paste Wax

Paste wax dates back to the earliest days of detailing, and many of the “natural” waxes on the market fall into this category. Paste waxes can require more elbow grease to apply then both spray and liquid waxes.

However, many high-end detail shops swear by this type of wax, as some say that it offers a superior level of protection, and leaves a deeper shine than various other varieties of wax.

Base Stock Types

Natural Wax

When an individual refers to natural wax, they are almost exclusively speaking of carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is a plant extract that is often combined with additional wax base compounds such as beeswax and turpentine.

Natural wax is preferred by many collectors and enthusiasts that demand nothing less than a show-quality appearance from their vehicles.

This wax hardens when it is applied, essentially creating a solid layer of protection from the elements all its own. Naturally derived products such as carnauba wax are especially renowned for their ability to resist the effects of sweltering heat.

Synthetic Wax

Synthetic waxes, although referred to as waxes, are more precisely identified as sealants. These waxes bond to a car’s clear coat, forming a paint sealant of sorts, that provides significant protection against rain, dirt, grime, and other debris.

One reason for the significant popularity of synthetic wax is its rightfully earned reputation as being superior in durability.

Many professional detailers prefer the use of synthetic waxes because they can depend on a single application to provide sustained protection for their clients’ vehicles.

However, this does come with a trade-off. Synthetic waxes commonly do not provide the same level of car shine that is achieved through the usage of natural wax. Follow this link for more about waxes, including the different kinds.

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How Does Car Wax Work?

The process of waxing your car involves applying your waxing compound of choice, then methodically wiping it across all painted surfaces. Some at-home detailers prefer to complete this task by tending to one segment of their vehicle at a time.

Upon application, wax begins to harden, forming the protective barrier for which it is known. The process of wiping and buffing out any remaining wax promotes the even coating of wax, and removes any excess wax from a given area, while also creating a showroom quality shine.

At the conclusion of this process, a thin, translucent coat of wax remains, offering long-lasting protection for months to come.

This hardened shell naturally repels moisture, the sun’s UV rays, and virtually all forms of environmental contaminants. Click this link for more about waxing your car.

It is typically recommended that you repeat the waxing process once every 3-4 months. Ideally, you do not want the previously applied coat of wax to wear thin before reapplication.

Instead, it is considered best practice to layer a coat of wax on top of one another at specified time intervals.

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What Do You Look For In The Best Car Wax?

When deciding upon which auto wax is best suited to your application, there are several factors worthy of consideration.

Each of these factors plays an active role in the decision-making process, and are based upon your specific needs, as well as the results that you hope to obtain.

A Wax That Can Be Applied As Desired

There are multiple delivery methods related to the application of car wax. These typically differ based upon the exact product and manufacturer.

The three most common forms of automotive wax are spray, liquid, and paste. Much of the decision toward which form to purchase often comes down to a matter of simplicity versus the longevity of the newly applied treatment. 

A Wax That Presents An Ideal Finish

The finish that is achieved when applying car wax often differs from one product to the next. Much of this difference can be traced directly back to the composition of the wax itself.

Synthetic waxes are known for the ultra-sleek, glass-like shine that they provide. On the other hand, natural waxes such as those made with a Carnauba base stock, tend to provide a deep, rich finish that brings your vehicle’s vibrant paint job to life.

A Wax With An Application That Lasts

As with any form of automotive detailing, properly waxing of your vehicle can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. This makes it essential to select a wax that meets your expectations related to the longevity of protection that it provides.

Of course, most consumers want their vehicle to be protected for as long as possible between treatments. However, this period of protection naturally varies from one product to the next, and consumers should be aware of how this applies to any potential purchase.