Here’s The Best Wax for Black Cars

in Ownership
shiny black sports car with a city backdrop

Photo by Jesse Collins on Unsplash

Black cars are currently the most common color of all cars in the U.S. and can give a vehicle a sleek, modern, and elegant look. With a little bit of effort and maintenance, black cars can continue to look brand new for years. The downside to driving a black car is that they typically do require a little more care than other colors, and even the most minor scuff, dent, or scratch can stand out and ruin the look of your car.

Generally speaking, the same wax products used as dealerships and detail shops are offered to individual consumers. The main difference for product availability will likely depend on existing bulk agreements and cost savings that dealers and shops have in place.

The three main types of waxes are liquid, paste, and sprays. Each has its pros and cons, like the finishing look, price, and how easy it is to apply. Luckily there are tons of different options to help you keep your car looking great, but the question is: what is the best wax for black cars?

Turtle Wax T-3KT Black Box Kit

Turtle Wax was formed in 1946 as the first specific liquid wax polish producer and continues to innovate its products for the auto industry today. As the “original” and one of the most successful wax polish makers, it only makes sense that they can be considered one of the best for you to use. Turtle Wax produces high-quality auto polish and shine on all types of vehicles. Loved by auto professionals and regular customers alike, Turtle Wax is on the shortlist for the best waxes for black cars. 

The T-3KT box kit comes with a 12-ounce conditioner and pre-wax cleaner, two 12-ounce spray detailers, one 12-ounce dye-based Deep Black Carnauba Wax, and two application pads for easy use. It’s moderately priced, around $25, and does an excellent job for a simple-to-use product. There are four stages in all, and dust, dirt, small scuffs, or other environmental imperfections can be removed in just one application. However, if you’re looking to remove medium to large damages thoroughly, you might not be able to with this kit.

*Pros* 

Professional grade

Easy to apply

Affordable

*Cons* 

Multiple bottles to complete look

Armor All Shield Even Better Than A Wax Spray

Armor All is a leader for its products for interior cleaning, and the “Even Better Than A Wax Spray” is an excellent option for something quick and a little bit less messy than traditional waxes. Some might consider a spray to be inferior to traditional waxes, but it works just as well and offers a little more convenience if you don’t want to invest a lot of time on the actual application process.

It has a protective shield that prevents dirt and grime from sticking or damaging the car’s exterior. Once applied, each wash reactivates the original protective shield to maintain a true shine and protection, eliminating the need for regular reapplication. Spray on and wipe off the wax spray applied for the finishing look.

Pros

Super easy to use

Affordable

Minimal cleaning and effort

Cons

Only about ten applications

More expensive than comparable paste/liquid


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Meguiar’s Black Wax

Meguiar has been around since 1901 and offers multiple different wax options with different finishing looks. This specific version might be the best wax for black cars with rich paint shines and transparent reflections. The recipe consists of several features that create a glossy auto show style finish. This swirl-free clear coat solution contains synthetic polymers that offer long-lasting, durable protection to withstand minor road and rock impediments, dirt, dust, and minor scratches. The synthetic ingredients aren’t for everyone, but Black Wax is an excellent option if you want a strong look at an affordable price. 

*Pros* 

Affordable

An industry leader since 1901

*Cons* 

Takes multiple passes to apply effectively


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Pinnacle Natural Brilliance Souveran Paste Wax

Made with ivory Carnauba wax from Brazil, the high-quality natural ingredients and the total amount of estimated applications make the Brilliance Souveran one of the best options out there. Its buttery wax mix is simple to use with easy blending and buffing for a full shine and maintaining the car’s original black paint color. Unlike many other types of wax, this is also effective on the car’s interior. The Brilliance Souveran is a little expensive than other options, but its ingredients and dual interior and exterior capability make it one of the best waxes for black cars. 

Pros

Up to 30 applications

Interior and exterior usage

Cons

Higher priced than most


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Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax

The Butter Wet Wax is near the top, if not the overall best wax for black cars, based on its mix of natural Carnauba, polymers, and resins that shines the vehicle like it was just cleaned. This paste wax style is easy to use and combats water stains, bird droppings, and rock and dust factors from the road. 

The finishing look is shiny and made entirely from natural materials. Butter Wet Wax’s latest revamped recipe is much more resistant to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, which protects your car’s natural color for a longer period of time. In addition to making the exterior paint look great, the Butter Wet Wax also complements finished wheels, chrome fenders and bumpers, glass pieces, windshields, and stainless steel. It’s a great overall exterior wax option.

Pros

UVA and UVB ray resistant

Works on several exterior materials

Cons

Somewhat difficult & messy to apply  

While certainly not all waxes are made the same, the phrase “you get what you pay for” is applicable. A good rule to follow is that the more often you can apply wax, the better your car will look. Most of these waxes will yield similar results, and it’s good to consider if the look of the color or protection of the color is most important to you as the owner. 

It also might be worth reading the owner’s manual or asking the dealership you got your car from which of the three types of wax is best for the specific body and exterior materials. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, and ultimately your budget and preference will lead you to the right choice.


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