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You love the sleek look of your black car, but keeping up that shiny black paint is a full-time job. You’ve tried using regular wax, but it leaves unsightly swirl marks or a white residue, and then there are the micro scratches that degrade the finish of your paint.
Using a black car wax on your black car paint takes your car-care routine up a notch. The specially formulated wax is designed to bring out the beauty and luster of your black paint. It’s just as simple to use as any other type of wax. This guide will help you understand why it’s so important to use a specially formulated wax for your car’s black paint and how to choose the best black wax out there.
Summary List
Best Overall: Chemical Guys Black Light Hybrid Glaze and Sealant
Best Value: Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black Spray Wax
Honorable Mention: Zymöl Ebony Wax
Smoothest Finish: Turtle Wax Black Spray Detailer
Best Black Wax Kit: Chemical Guys Black Car Care Kit
Our Methodology
Who doesn’t love black paint? While colorful cars are long overdue for a proper comeback, there’s no arguing that black is among the best finish for any vehicle. It compliments every curve and adds personality to match absolutely every occasion. Taking care of it is about the only drawback. That said, it’s something our team is familiar with. And though we haven’t had the chance to test every product on the market, we surely know where to start researching when it comes to finding the best waxes for black paint that today’s market has to offer.
Best Wax for Black Cars Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Chemical Guys Black Light Hybrid Glaze and Sealant
Best Value
Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black Spray Wax
Honorable Mention
Zymöl Ebony Wax
Smoothest Finish
Turtle Wax Black Spray Detailer
Best Black Wax Kit
Chemical Guys Black Car Care Kit
Our Verdict
Chemical Guys Black Light Hybrid Glaze and Sealant won our top pick for the best car wax for black cars. It will deepen your car’s color, leaving a high-gloss shine. If you’re waxing on a budget, choose Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black Spray Wax. It contains black pigments and synthetic polymers that will clean, fill, and protect your car’s paint.
What to Consider When Buying Wax for Black Cars
There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a wax for your black car or truck. First, you have to determine what type of wax you plan on using: synthetic or carnauba and spray, paste, or liquid. There are pros and cons to each of them. Also, consider each products’ ease of use, protection duration, ability to correct minor blemishes, and other features listed below.
Types of Wax for Black Cars
Synthetic
The majority of modern car waxes on the market are synthetic formulas. These waxes have special additives to give the wax additional qualities, such as UV protection and extreme temperature stability. Synthetic waxes last a long time and can help you achieve a wet look or deeper shine than what you can accomplish with natural waxes.
Carnauba
Carnauba wax is considered the best quality natural wax by car enthusiasts. It’s harvested from the leaf of the Brazilian carnauba palm tree. It has a tough finished product to create a durable and UV-resistant protective layer over your car’s paint. It also has a water-repelling ability that helps to prevent water from beading up and leaving water spots on your paint. Carnauba wax is long lasting but doesn’t last quite as long as synthetic formulas.
Spray
Spray wax is nice because it is a liquid formula that comes in a bottle for easy application. This makes it a good option for beginners and casual detailers. The liquid formula is easy to shake up and remix after it has sat for a while. The majority of spray formulas come in synthetic formulas, making them durable and long-lasting.
Paste
This is the traditional form of car wax and the one that purists swear by. It typically comes in a metal or plastic cup with a screw-off lid. Some even come with an applicator inside. The wax is like a solid puck of candle wax but with a softer consistency. You’ll rub the applicator on the wax to transfer some of the product. The downside of paste is that it tends to leave more residue than other types.
Liquid
Liquid wax is the most common form of wax on the market. It’s usually applied with a dual-action polisher or a rotary buffer. You can also apply it by hand. Some liquid waxes will be slightly scented to make the waxing process more enjoyable, even though the smell does not affect the end results.
Key Features
Easy Application and Removal
Not everyone has access to a dual-action polisher or a rotary buffer, but that’s OK. The best car waxes, especially those intended for use on black or dark-colored automobiles, should require little effort to apply and remove. The instructions should be clear about how much product to use over a specified surface area. A few swipes with a microfiber cloth should be all that’s necessary to remove wax as well.
Long-Lasting Protection
Spend a few hours on your car each month, and you’ll soon tire of the wax-on, wax-off routine. Choose a car wax that’s durable enough to protect your vehicle for months at a time. That way, you won’t have to spend more hours and cash on keeping your car’s paint clean. Longer-lasting waxes aren’t necessarily thicker; they’re just a better wax to begin with.
Paint Corrective
The ideal wax should not only protect your car’s paint from the elements but boost it as well. Minor surface scratches can be visibly corrected. No extra steps or special knowledge necessary. Black cars are especially prone to scratches and marring defects. Look for a wax with black pigments or blending ability to reduce the visibility of these imperfections.
Wipes Clean
The best car waxes wipe away without leaving a trace except for a protective layering. A variety of factors play into how well a wax wipes off, but generally speaking, the wax shouldn’t harden immediately once it is applied. Paste wax is slightly different, but liquid wax should act more like lotion when applied. A wax that wipes clean is also easier to use overall.
Pricing
Good waxes aren’t necessarily expensive. For less than $10, you can find wax wipes or 16- to 24-ounce bottles of spray wax or liquid wax. They do a good job of protecting vehicle finishes. Higher-quality and brand-name liquid waxes as well as paste waxes tend to cost a little more and can range from $15 to $20 on average. In this price range, you may also find waxing kits with items such as applicator pads and microfiber towels. For more than $20, you will find wax and polish combos and car care systems, some of which are geared specifically towards black vehicles. Expect to spend more if you want the best results.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: The main difference is the formulation so that the black wax won’t leave white residue on your black car. They also have better fillers to reduce the look of scratches and defects.
A: Yes, wax isn’t a permanent application on your vehicle. It naturally wears away as you drive, from the weather and washing. If you want to fill the scratches later, you only need to remove the wax.
A: Yes, but only if you use these tools correctly. A polisher or buffer moves in a circular motion much faster than your hand can. This helps you achieve a more even application of the wax.
A: No. Wax only applies a protective layer over the surface of your paint. Oxidation occurs with the layers of the paint. It won’t remove the damage; it can only improve the look of it.
A: Not usually. Most black wax formulations have additives that enable them to last just as long as other waxes.
A: No. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying wax to your vehicle. Leaving it on longer only allows it to dry more, making it harder to buff off.