Favorite Car Waxes for 2024

With over forty five years of car ownership, I have used a lot of different car waxes, and like to try different ones to see if one performs better than another.  My favorites do change over the years, thanks to advances in wax/polish formulations.

Generally speaking, the easier a wax is to apply, the less likely it will last.  Products like detailing sprays are good if you are attending a car show and need a quick touchup to your shine.  Other than that, it is best to stick with a true wax coating.

By the end of this article, you may wonder about the recommended frequency of waxing.  I covered that in my Car Care Basics article.

Current Favorites

Asking someone to name their favorite wax is like asking which is the best motor oil.  Everyone has their personal favorites, so I’m happy to share four of my current favorite waxes to use. They are listed in the order in which I started using them (the oldest is first). In each case, these represent a good balance of application ease, with long lasting shine and water beading.  

It should be noted that the two Wipe New products were provided to me by Rust-Oleum free of charge to review (Wipe New is a sub brand of car care products by Rust-Oleum).  Just because they were free does not give them a free pass!

Nu Finish

This product has been around for years.  I first used it in the late 1980s, and has been my go-to polish until a couple of years ago.  It is easy to apply and remove, which is one reason it is a favorite.  Waxes that require a lot of buffing to produce a great shine will discourage you from even trying.

If you have been around a while, you may remember the TV commercials where they applied Nu FInish to the hood of a junkyard car.  It instantly brought back the shine.  Nu Finish is actually a polish and not a wax.  The key difference is in the chemical makeup of the product.  For most of us, the difference is hard to tell.

Nu Finish doesn’t last as long as the others I reviewed, but its low cost and ease of application keep it on my list.  It can be purchased at most auto parts stores, WalMart, Meijer or Amazon.com for under $10.

Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax

The Chemical Guys brand is pretty popular with detailers and hobbyists.  They carry a lineup of car care products ranging from interior cleaners, conditioners, exterior soaps, waxes, towels and more.  

The Butter Wet Wax is just as easy to apply and rub off as Nu Finish, and it seems like it produces a slighter better shine.  Or, maybe the fresh banana scent of the wax hypnotized me! Either way, it lasts longer than Nu FInish or the Graphene Infused Ceramic Coating I discuss next.

Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax is available at most auto part stores and Amazon.com for under $20.

Wipe New Graphene Infused Ceramic Coating

The Wipe New Graphene Infused Ceramic Coating is a mouthful to say, but super easy to use.  More importantly, it produces an excellent shine that makes the other waxes jealous.  

Overall, this is easier to apply than Nu Finish, but does not last as long.  It is definitely better than a detailing spray, so that is a plus.

The only downside to this product is the smell.  It reminds me of a fresh urinal cake in a men’s public restroom.  It took a couple of days for the smell to dissipate in my garage.  It’s not offensive…just odd.

Wipe New Ceramic Liquid Wax

This is the newest of the other three waxes noted earlier.  It is very similar to the Butter Wet Wax in the way it applies, but I think it produces a slightly better shine that lasts longer.  The feeling on the waxed panels of my car also feels smoother.  Of the four waxes reviewed, the water beads longer on the hood and roof of my car.  In fact, the water beads themself stand tall on the flat surfaces. That seems weird to say, but it was really noticeable.  After two car washes, the water still beads up like the wax was just applied.

Final Thoughts & Questions

As much as I like the ease of application from Nu Finish and the Wipe New Graphene Infused Ceramic Coating spray, I prefer the effectiveness of the Chemical Guys Butter Wet wax and the Wipe New Ceramic Liquid Wax best.  You can’t go wrong with either one.

If you don’t get into car detailing like me and just want to give your car a quick and easy shine, go with one of the other two products.  They don’t last as long as the Butter Wet Wax or Ceramic Liquid wax, but I want you to make your car look good!

Please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions in the comment section below.  

Update:  See Favorite Car Waxes for 2025